System and method of operation an array antenna in a distributed wireless communication network
First Claim
1. A system for operating an array antenna, the array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, comprising:
- a feeding port;
a plurality of signal shifters for respective connection to the plurality of antenna elements; and
an adaptive beamformer configured to distribute input signals from the feeding port to the plurality of signal shifters and to combine output signals from the plurality of signal shifters for output to the feeding port in a plurality of operating modes, the plurality of operating modes being associated with respective array antenna gain patterns having different beamwidths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of operating an array antenna are disclosed. The array antenna has configurable beamwidth and is operable in any of multiple operating modes associated with respective beamwidths. For example, operating an array antenna at a wide beamwidth for detecting incoming communication signals reduces scan times associated with individually scanning directional antennas. Switching to narrow beamwidth operation for subsequent exchange of communication signals provides higher antenna gain and reduces interference. Steering of beams and nulls in a gain pattern of an array antenna further reduces interference on wireless communication links. The benefits of each beamwidth are thereby exploited for particular functions, while many of the drawbacks of each beamwidth for other functions are avoided.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system for operating an array antenna, the array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, comprising:
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a feeding port;
a plurality of signal shifters for respective connection to the plurality of antenna elements; and
an adaptive beamformer configured to distribute input signals from the feeding port to the plurality of signal shifters and to combine output signals from the plurality of signal shifters for output to the feeding port in a plurality of operating modes, the plurality of operating modes being associated with respective array antenna gain patterns having different beamwidths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A network node for a distributed wireless access network, comprising:
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a steerable array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements and configurable beamwidth for establishing wireless transit radio links with neighbouring network nodes in the distributed wireless access network;
a plurality of signal shifters for respective connection to the plurality of antenna elements; and
an adaptive beamformer for distributing array antenna input signals to the plurality of signal shifters and combining array antenna output signals from the plurality of signal shifters in at least a wide beamwidth operating mode associated with an array antenna gain pattern having a first beamwidth and a narrow beamwidth operating mode associated with an array antenna gain pattern having a second beamwidth narrower than the first beamwidth. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating an array antenna in a wireless communication network, the array antenna having configurable beamwidth, comprising:
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listening for communication requests using a first beamwidth of the array antenna;
receiving a communication request identifying a destination wireless access routing point in the wireless communication network;
forming a beam having a second beamwidth narrower than the first beamwidth;
directing the formed beam toward the destination wireless access routing point; and
transmitting communication signals over the formed beam to the destination wireless access routing point. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for operating an array antenna element in a wireless communication network, comprising:
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means for exciting the array antenna to form a beam having a first beamwidth to listen for communication requests;
means for receiving a communication request identifying a destination wireless access routing point in the wireless communication network;
means for exciting the array antenna to form a beam having a second beamwidth narrower than the first beamwidth, and for directing the formed beam toward the destination wireless access routing point; and
means for transmitting communication signals over the beam having the second beamwidth to the destination wireless access routing point.
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30. A distributed wireless access network, comprising:
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a plurality of network access nodes; and
a plurality of wireless transit radio links between the network access nodes, wherein at least one of the network access nodes comprises an electronically steerable high gain array antenna with configurable beamwidth for establishing wireless transit links with neighbouring network access nodes. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification