Professional Drone OperatorATS are an innovative team and have been involved with drones for over 30 years. Our original experience was designing, building and operating military target drones.
We now operate a fleet of drones which we use for aerial surveys, structural surveys, panoramic surveys, promotional aerial photography and videography.
Benchmarking SolutionsReal-time customer experience testing using the latest software and our own design of equipment. Can be static testing over time at key venues or mobile testing services using bikes, motorcycles, cars and trains.
We recognised the need for being able to carry and operate multiple devices for benchmarking. The devices need to be stable, have a power source and be easy to operate. We have designed a number of different types of unit depending upon the type of testing required. Each unit can be adapted to fit any type of handset. We have been providing Panoramic Surveys to the telecommunications industry since 2002. Since that time our name and reports have become the recognised standard in the industry. We have provided this service for every mobile operator in the UK and have well over 28,000 site reports on our data bases. We have six primary MastCam systems, five of which are mounted on Mitsubishi Shoguns and one 30m mast which is trailer mounted.
We also have a fleet of drones and 4 GVC qualified drone pilots. The Mavic Pro 2 is our go to drone for surveys and promotional footage whilst the Mavic Mini 2 can survey all the places the larger drones can't access.
A need for Panoramic photography from the height and location of existing or planned base station antennas was identified as being an extremely useful tool in network planning and optimisation. In the last 16 years we have surveyed over 28,000 sites. All information is kept on our files for 7 years. Quality is of paramount importance to us, not just the quality of the photographs but accuracy of mast position and camera height.  Our camera heads are designed and built in house using wireless technology which allows for speedy deployment. All of our teams have training and certification to access rooftops and climb masts and towers. The use of panoramic photography has been proven as an invaluable weapon in the radio planner’s arsenal. It gives an accurate view of near field clutter and line of sight to the horizon from an existing or proposed mobile phone site. The pictures are taken at the exact height of the midpoint of the antenna. For each site we will take up to three sets of 360° a panoramic photographs from three different heights. Other pictures in the document show the view at 0° a for orientation, site pictures, tower and mast pictures and access pictures. Other information in the document includes cell name, site name, GPS national grid coordinates, address, access details and site details. ATS has also been involved in proving the effects of near field clutter on site efficiency, site auditing and network optimisation. Line of Sight Surveys (LOS)When planning microwave links it is imperative to have a confirmed line of sight between points A and B. We have been performing our LOS survey services for over 10 years and have the expertise to carry out these surveys quickly, efficiently and accurately For links up to 8km our mast-based systems offer a quick, simple solution without the inherent problems of using a cherry picker or climbing structures For links over 8km we use the more conventional method of climbing structures and using cherry pickers. We have fully qualified climbing teams and are able to work safely at height on all structures except for electricity pylons. Using Canon EOS 60D camera bodies and 500mm telescopic lenses our engineers have over 10 years experience in LOS photography proving (or disproving) links up to 30km. We pay particular attention to minimum height detail and LOS position to help designers in planning dish heights and positions. It is not possible prove LOS optically for links over 30km. To prove longer links we use the following equipment: - SAF SG Compact - Signal Generator device
- SAF Spectrum Compact (SC) - Signal Analyser device
- 2x Antennas
- 2x SMA cable
- 2x Compass
- 2x Spirit level tool
- Waveguide adaptors
Calculate path budget with a professional radio link design and planning tool to determine important values, such as: Azimuth, Elevation, Frequency, polarization and target received signal level. Use SG-Compact’s output power, particular antenna gain and frequency parameters in the calculations.  Roof, Chimney and Structural SurveysOur photographic roof and chimney survey services are now the preferred method for many property management companies to keep on-going records of their property portfolios. By using our pump up masts or drones, our operators work safely from ground level thus minimising health and safety issues.
The purpose of these surveys is to identify what work will be required to roofs, windows, exterior of building (i.e. flashing, mortar, tie-in requirements, parapets etc.). The surveys are also be used to identify opportunities for energy efficient works (e.g. replacing single glazed windows with double glazing) and update the stock condition for external items such as guttering, roofs, windows etc.).
Car InstallationsWe have been installing Drive Test equipment for the last 10 years and quickly realised that it is important to have continuity of installation of both equipment and antennas.  A typical Drive Test Installation  Redesigned by ATS Our in-house facilities allow us to design and prototype new ideas.
For large production runs we outsource to local companies around Swindon.
We have very good working relationships with our local toolmakers, injection moulders and engineering companies.
Following our ethos of standardising installation of drive test equipment we thought it even more important to standardise antenna installation.
Varying types of antenna, feeder, ground planes etc. will all lead to varying results between drive test units.
We isolate external antennas from any metal objects using nylon mounts. The antennas are then fitted to a bespoke ground plane plate which gives continuity across all installations. Carrier Wave SurveysWhilst prediction models are a very useful tool for radio network planners there is no substitute for ‘real world’ testing. Carrier Wave testing is usually used to calibrate a prediction modelling tool, increasing the tools accuracy for network design. CW testing involving pump up mast to test proposed site locations and various antenna heights TX equipment and Spectrum Analyser monitor Model tuning comparison trend lines for measured and predicted data. |
