Antenna Status Remote Monitoring System

Abstract

A system for remote monitoring a network of distributed antennas. The system including at least one antenna electrically coupled to a radio-frequency (RF) transmission line, and a monitoring module electrically coupled to the RF transmission line, the monitoring module configured to receive a direct-current (DC) coded signal via the RF transmission line and compare the DC coded signal to at least one code saved in a memory of the monitoring module to determine a status associated with the at least one antenna.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for remote monitoring a network of distributed antennas, comprising:
 at least one antenna electrically coupled to a radio-frequency (RF) transmission line;   a monitoring module electrically coupled to the RF transmission line, the monitoring module configured to receive a direct-current (DC) coded signal via the RF transmission line and compare the DC coded signal to at least one code saved in a memory of the monitoring module to determine a status associated with the at least one antenna; and   a DC master controller configured to supply the DC coded signal to the monitoring module, poll the monitoring module, and generate information concerning system health.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transceiver electrically coupled to the RF transmission line, wherein the monitoring module is configured to transmit a confirmation signal along the RF transmission line to the transceiver upon selective determination that the DC coded signal matches the at least one code.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second monitoring module, and wherein the at least one antenna includes a second antenna, the second antenna and the second monitoring module being electrically coupled to the RF transmission line, and the second monitoring module being configured to receive the DC coded signal via the RF transmission line and compare the DC coded signal to at least one further code saved in a memory of the monitoring module to determine a further status associated with the second antenna.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring module is configured to selectively send a text or email message to a concerned party regarding the status associated with the at least one antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna comprises a plurality of antennas. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of antennas is arranged as a building-wide distributed antenna system.