Electronic alignment using signature emissions for backhaul radios

Abstract

A backhaul radio is disclosed that includes one or more antenna structures collectively having a plurality of selectable radiation patterns for detecting alignment signals; one or more receivers configured to receive the alignment signals from the one or more antenna structures and provide received signals; one or more processors for processing the received signals to determine signal properties, wherein at least one of the one or more processors are coupled to at least one of the one or more receivers to receive said received signals; and an interface to couple at least one of the one or more processors to an alignment assisting device. The alignment assisting device coordinates between the backhaul radio and the second backhaul radio during the alignment process. The alignment assisting device further provides an indication of an improved alignment adjustment to a user of the alignment assisting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backhaul radio comprising:
 one or more antenna structures collectively having a plurality of selectable radiation patterns for detecting alignment signals;   one or more receivers configured to receive the alignment signals from the one or more antenna structures and provide received signals;   one or more processors for processing the received signals to determine signal properties, wherein at least one of the one or more processors are coupled to at least one of the one or more receivers to receive said received signals;   an interface to couple at least one of the one or more processors to an alignment assisting device;   wherein the alignment signals are transmitted from a second backhaul radio during an alignment process;   wherein the alignment assisting device coordinates between the backhaul radio and the second backhaul radio during the alignment process;   wherein the alignment assisting device comprises a detector for measuring orientation adjustments of the backhaul radio in azimuth and elevation;   wherein at least one of the one or more processors controls the selection of the plurality of selectable radiation patterns and stores the determined signal properties for each of the plurality of selectable radiation patterns;   wherein the alignment assisting device coordinates with at least one of the one or more processors to provide an indication of an improved alignment adjustment to a user of the alignment assisting device.