Throughout the process of designing, building, implementing, and operating a wireless network, an aspect that has been overlooked in terms of on-going operations has been proper antenna placement and alignment. During the design and installation phases of the wireless network, an optimal azimuth, tilt, and roll are implemented; and once installed, are assumed to be static and constant. The realities in the field are that many conditions exist that can and will eventually change the positioning of the antenna systems.

Given the competitive nature of the Wireless Carriers, with each striving to provide a better customer experience, the design assumptions must match what is actually deployed in the field, in order to achieve “Optimal” performance. The first point at which the end user’s device connects with the Wireless Carriers network, is at the Cell Antenna. This critical interface point is crucial in understanding how and why a Wireless Network operates in a certain manner, within a specific area.

Historically, changes in Antenna orientation have been discovered through feedback from customer complaint’s, statistics read by an analyst at the Carrier’s NOC, trial and error through software parameter changes, and costly site visits by tower crews to verify if a specific antenna’s orientation has changed. Time is lost and wasted in the troubleshooting process, while wireless customers are affected by the antenna’s improper alignment. Today, with data rates increasing for smart phones and wireless Internet devices, antenna positioning and performance is even a more crucial component of quality service.

The purpose of the WASP system is to allow the Wireless Carriers to know the exact state of the antennas positioning in the field. Any change from the original installed state is notified back to the Carrier, to within 1/2 a degree of Tilt and Roll. Whether the change is caused by strong wind, impacts by airborne objects, failures in structural support, vandalism, or an accidental change by a tower crew, the information is reported back to the Carrier for immediate action to correct the issue.

The WASP Antenna Sensor is a lightweight, low profile, unobtrusive, self-contained device that attaches to the back of the antenna, and at regular intervals reports its’ positioning state to an Access Module at the base of the tower. Communication between the Antenna Sensor and the Access Module is completely wireless, using the Zigbee 802.15.4 standard. No cables are required up and down the tower structure.

Each antenna on the tower (and throughout the network) is uniquely identified, and its status is reported back to the Carrier’s NOC, Engineering department,Operations personnel, or whomever else may need to know.

At 3 inches square and 1/2 inch in depth, and weighing in at 4 ounces, the Antenna sensors wind-load and weight is negligible. The Sensor is self-powered by a Lithium Ion 20-year life battery. Both durable and reliable, the WASP system is designed for longevity, accuracy, and performance.