Antenna system for improving the performance of a short range wireless network

• US 20040027284A1
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Leeper, David G., DeMarchi, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,034,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/700MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/02 using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/04 for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation

Abstract

An antenna system for providing network access services to wireless users generates at least a first and a second antenna beam, where the second antenna beam is movable with respect to the first. Additional antenna beams may also be generated. During installation of the antenna system, an installer may adjust the position of the second antenna beam (and possibly other antenna beams) in a manner that enhances the maximum data-rate coverage area of the antenna system for a given deployment region.

Claims

1. An antenna system for use in providing short-range wireless access to a network, comprising:

a first panel having at least one antenna element disposed thereon to generate a first antenna beam; and

a second panel, pivotably coupled to said first panel, having at least one antenna element disposed thereon to generate a second antenna beam.

2. The antenna system of claim 1, comprising:

a mount, coupled to said first panel, to mount said antenna system in an elevated position within a deployment region so that said first and second antenna beams are directed in a generally downward direction.

3. The antenna system of claim 2, wherein:

said mount includes a ceiling mount.

4. The antenna system of claim 2, wherein:

said mount includes a wall mount.

5. The antenna system of claim 1, comprising:

at least one additional panel, pivotably coupled to said first panel, having at least one antenna element disposed thereon to generate at least one additional antenna beam.

6. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein:

said first panel includes an array of antenna elements to generate said first antenna beam.

7. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein:

said second panel includes an array of antenna elements to generate said second antenna beam.

8. The antenna system of claim 1, comprising:

a locking mechanism to lock said second panel in a fixed angular position with respect to said first panel.

9. The antenna system of claim 8, wherein:

said locking mechanism includes a fixture having multiple blocks to hold said second panel in a fixed position using compression.

10. The antenna system of claim 1, comprising:

a flat reflective element coupled to said second panel for use in adjusting an angle of the second panel with respect to said first panel during installation.

11. An antenna system for use in providing short-range wireless access to a network, comprising:

a panel having at least one first antenna element to generate a first antenna beam and an array of second antenna elements to generate a second antenna beam, wherein said second antenna beam is electronically steerable with respect to said first antenna beam; and

a mount, coupled to said panel, to mount said antenna system in an elevated position within a network access deployment region so that said first antenna beam and said second antenna beam are directed in a generally downward direction within the network access deployment region.

12. The antenna system of claim 11, wherein:

said panel further includes at least one additional array of antenna elements to generate at least one additional antenna beam, wherein said at least one additional antenna beam is electronically steerable with respect to said first and second antenna beams.

13. The antenna system of claim 11, wherein:

said at least one first antenna element includes an array of antenna elements.

14. The antenna system of claim 11, wherein:

said mount includes a ceiling mount.

15. The antenna system of claim 11, wherein:

said mount includes a wall mount.

16. An antenna system for use in providing short-range wireless access to a network, comprising:

a panel having an array of antenna elements disposed thereon, said array of antenna elements to generate, in conjunction with a multiple-beam beamformer matrix, multiple simultaneous antenna beams, said multiple simultaneous antenna beams including at least one beam that is electronically steerable; and

a mount, coupled to said panel, to mount said antenna system in an elevated position within a network access deployment region so that said multiple simultaneous antenna beams are directed in a generally downward direction within the network access deployment region.

17. The antenna system of claim 16, wherein:

said mount includes a ceiling mount.

18. The antenna system of claim 16, wherein:

said mount includes a wall mount.

19. An antenna system comprising:

means for generating a first antenna beam in a generally downward direction;

means for generating a second antenna beam in a generally downward direction; and

means for adjusting a direction of the second antenna beam with respect to the first antenna beam for use in enhancing the maximum data-rate coverage area of a wireless network access point.

20. The antenna system of claim 19, wherein:

said means for generating a first antenna beam includes a first panel having at least one antenna element disposed thereon; and

said means for generating a second antenna beam includes a second panel having at least one antenna element disposed thereon, said second panel being pivotably coupled to said first panel.

21. The antenna system of claim 19, wherein:

said means for generating a first antenna beam includes a first array of antenna elements disposed upon a panel; and

said means for generating a second antenna beam includes a second array of antenna elements disposed upon said panel.

22. The antenna system of claim 19, wherein:

said means for generating a first antenna beam and said means for generating a second antenna beam each include the same array of antenna elements.