Systems and methods for cable loss measurement between indoor and outdoor units

摘要

A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) installation tool is provided having the ability to measure cable loss along an interfacility link (IFL) between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of the VSAT. Radio frequency (RF) signals can be transmitted from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, where the RF signals are intercepted along the IFL prior to reaching the outdoor unit, and the output power is determined. The determined output power is compared to an expected output power at the indoor unit. The delta between the determined output power and the expected output power can be used to adjust the power of the indoor unit such that the outdoor unit can operate without reaching its compression point.

主权项

1. A power detector for detecting the output power of a satellite indoor unit connected to a satellite outdoor unit by a cable, comprising:
a filter for substantially isolating radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from the satellite indoor unit to the satellite outdoor unit at a termination point of the cable that connects the cable to the satellite outdoor unit; an RF detector configured to detect the RF signals; and a microcontroller, the microcontroller including an analog to digital converter (ADC) module for converting the detected RF signals into voltage data, the microcontroller further storing the voltage data and transmitting the voltage data to the satellite indoor unit for adjustment of the satellite indoor unit output power to avoid compression at the satellite outdoor unit.