Reducing the effect of signal interference in null areas caused by overlapping antenna patterns

• US 20060183503A1
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jeffrey Goldberg, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

A wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless communications using at least one beam is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of WTRUs, at least one beam-forming antenna, and at least one radio network controller (RNC). The antenna is capable of beam-forming and beams emanating from the antenna may be adjusted in accordance with actual conditions in the wireless communication system. The antenna is further capable of dithering beams in the azimuth and/or elevation plane for breaking up null areas due to beam overlap.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless communications using at least two beams comprising;

a plurality of WTRUs;

at least one beam forming antenna wherein at least two beams emanating from the beam forming antenna overlap creating at least one null area, and wherein at least one beam is dithered in at least a horizontal dimension by adjusting at least one beam parameter; and

a radio network controller for controlling the dithering of at least one of the two beams to optimize transmission between the antenna and at least one WTRU.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein at least one of beam is dithered in a vertical dimension.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the beam dithered in the horizontal dimension is also dithered in a vertical dimension.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 2 wherein a Node B is provided for generating control signals for dithering the beam in accordance with tilt information provided by the radio network controller.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 2 wherein tilt information is sent from the radio network controller to the antenna wherein control signals are generated for dithering the beam in accordance with tilt information provided by the radio network controller.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the beam is tilted downward to reduce interference to and from another antenna.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the beam is dithered to account for variations in elevation between the WTRUs.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the beam is dithered to break up null areas wherein transmission signals are not decodable.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 2 wherein the beam is dithered to break up null areas wherein transmission signals are not decodable.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the dithered beam parameter is time.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the dithered beam parameter is carrier frequency.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the dithered beam parameter is bore sight in the azimuth plane.

13. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the dithered beam parameter is bore sight in the elevation plane.

14. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the dithered beam parameter is power.

15. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the dithered beam parameter is pattern contour.

16. A wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless communications using at least one beam comprising:

a plurality of WTRUs;

a radio network controller;

at least one beam forming antenna emanating multiple beams, wherein at least one beam emanating from the beam forming antenna is dithered in at least a horizontal dimension; and

a Node B for controlling the dithering of the beam to optimize transmission between the antenna and at least one WTRU.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 16 wherein at least one beam emanating from the beam forming antenna is dithered in a vertical dimension.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 16 wherein the at least one beam dithered in a horizontal dimension is also dithered in a vertical dimension.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 16 wherein at least one beam is dithered to break up null areas wherein transmission signals are not decodable.