MULTIPLE-ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR CELLULAR COMMUNICATION AND BROADCASTING
First Claim
1. A multi-carrier antenna system for cellular communication and broadcasting in a plurality of transmission modes within a geographic area divided into a plurality of cells, the multi-carrier antenna system comprising:
- a plurality of antennas, wherein each of the antennas is capable of generating a beam pattern that may be adjusted in azimuth and elevation for purposes of transmitting signals to mobile devices;
a signal distribution network coupled to the plurality of antennas, the signal distribution network enabling a plurality of input signals to be routed to one or more of the plurality of antennas; and
a controller coupled to the signal distribution network and the plurality of antennas, the controller enabling the multi-carrier antenna system to be switched between a first mode of operation wherein at least one of the plurality of antennas has a beam pattern with a first azimuth pattern and a first elevation pattern, and a second mode of operation wherein the at least one of the plurality of antennas has a beam pattern with a second azimuth pattern and a second elevation pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple-antenna system for use in cellular communication and broadcasting. The multiple-antenna transmission system can be controlled, adjusted, configured, or reconfigured to produce desirable radiation beam patterns suitable for different types of applications. A signal distribution network may be provided in the multiple-antenna system. The signal distribution network is embedded in a transmitter and controls the distribution of signals to one or more antennas in accordance with application requirements. Various antenna radiation patterns suitable for different applications can be generated by reconfiguring the connections and gain settings in the signal distribution network. For example, narrow beams may be generated for use in unicast applications, whereas sector beams may be generated for use in broadcast applications. Certain techniques may be employed to manage the transition from one type of transmission mode to another type of transmission mode.
256 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A multi-carrier antenna system for cellular communication and broadcasting in a plurality of transmission modes within a geographic area divided into a plurality of cells, the multi-carrier antenna system comprising:
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a plurality of antennas, wherein each of the antennas is capable of generating a beam pattern that may be adjusted in azimuth and elevation for purposes of transmitting signals to mobile devices; a signal distribution network coupled to the plurality of antennas, the signal distribution network enabling a plurality of input signals to be routed to one or more of the plurality of antennas; and a controller coupled to the signal distribution network and the plurality of antennas, the controller enabling the multi-carrier antenna system to be switched between a first mode of operation wherein at least one of the plurality of antennas has a beam pattern with a first azimuth pattern and a first elevation pattern, and a second mode of operation wherein the at least one of the plurality of antennas has a beam pattern with a second azimuth pattern and a second elevation pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of switching between at least two modes of operation in a multi-carrier antenna system for cellular communication and broadcasting, the method comprising:
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identifying a first beam pattern suitable for a first application, the first beam pattern having an azimuth pattern and an elevation pattern; configuring a signal distribution network to route and amplify first signals from one or more baseband processors to a plurality of antennas for transmission to a cell within a cellular communication system, wherein the routing and amplification is selected in order to generate the first beam pattern suitable for the first application; identifying a second beam pattern suitable for a second application, the second beam pattern differing from the first beam pattern in either an azimuth pattern or an elevation pattern; and re-configuring the signal distribution network to route and amplify second signals from the one or more baseband processors to the plurality of antennas for transmission to the cell within the cellular communication system, wherein the routing and amplification is selected in order to generate the second beam pattern suitable for the second application. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification