Method and apparatus for selecting two antennas from which to receive a communication signal
First Claim
1. At a base site containing at least two signal receivers and a plurality of antennas, a method of receiving a communication signal comprising the steps of:
- a) measuring a first signal quality metric for the communication signal received from a first antenna of the plurality of antennas and a second signal quality metric for the communication signal received from a second antenna of the plurality of antennas; and
b) coupling, when the first signal quality metric differs from the second signal quality metric by a threshold, a signal receiver of the at least two signal receivers to a third antenna of the plurality of antennas for a predetermined period of time based on the difference between the first signal quality metric and the second signal quality metric.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A base site (100) employs a method and apparatus for selecting two of a plurality of antennas (101-106) from which to receive a communication signal. A first signal quality metric is measured for a communication signal received from a first antenna (102) and a second signal quality metric is measured for the communication signal received from a second antenna (103). When the first signal quality metric differs from the second signal quality metric by a threshold, a signal receiver (113) is coupled to a third antenna (e.g., 101) and a third signal quality metric is measured for the communication signal received from the third antenna (101). Based on the three signal quality metrics, a primary antenna and a secondary antenna are selected from which to receive the communication signal.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. At a base site containing at least two signal receivers and a plurality of antennas, a method of receiving a communication signal comprising the steps of:
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a) measuring a first signal quality metric for the communication signal received from a first antenna of the plurality of antennas and a second signal quality metric for the communication signal received from a second antenna of the plurality of antennas; and b) coupling, when the first signal quality metric differs from the second signal quality metric by a threshold, a signal receiver of the at least two signal receivers to a third antenna of the plurality of antennas for a predetermined period of time based on the difference between the first signal quality metric and the second signal quality metric. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. At a base site containing a diversity receiver and a plurality of antennas, the diversity receiver including a first signal receiver and a second signal receiver, a method receiving a communication signal comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving, at the first signal receiver, the communication signal from a first antenna of the plurality of antennas; b) receiving, at the second signal receiver, the communication signal from a second antenna of the plurality of antennas; c) measuring a first value of the first signal quality metric for the communication signal received from the first antenna and a first value of the second signal quality metric for the communication signal received from the second antenna during a first time interval; d) measuring a second value of the first signal quality metric for the communication signal received from the first antenna and a second value of the second signal quality metric for the communication signal received from the second antenna during a second time interval; e) subtracting the first value of the first signal quality metric from the second value of the first signal quality metric to produce a first quality metric slope; f) subtracting the first value of the second signal quality metric from the second value of the second signal quality metric to produce a second quality metric slope; and g) coupling, when the second value of the first signal quality metric differs from the second value of the second signal quality metric by a threshold and when the first quality metric slope is greater. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A base site comprising:
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a plurality of antennas; a first signal receiver, coupled to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas, that receives a communication signal; a second signal receiver, coupled to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas, that receives the communication signal; detector means, coupled to the first signal receiver and the second signal receiver, for measuring a first signal quality metric for the communication signal received at the first signal receiver and a second signal quality metric for the communication signal received at the second signal receiver; and switching means, coupled to the plurality of antennas, the second signal receiver and the detector means, for coupling the second signal receiver to a third antenna of the plurality of antennas when the first signal quality metric differs from the second signal quality metric by a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A base site comprising:
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a plurality of antennas; a first signal receiver, coupled to a first antenna of the plurality of antennas, that receives a communication signal; a second signal receiver, coupled to a second antenna of the plurality of antennas, that receives the communication signal; a signal quality metric detector, coupled to the first signal receiver and the second signal receiver, for measuring a first signal quality metric for the communication signal received at the first signal receiver and a second signal quality metric for the communication signal received at the second signal receiver; a switch matrix, coupled to the plurality of antennas, the first signal receiver, the second signal receiver, and the signal quality metric detector, for coupling the second signal receiver to a third antenna of the plurality of antennas when the first signal quality metric differs from the second signal quality metric by a threshold; and an antenna selector, coupled to the signal quality metric detector and the switch matrix, for directing the switch matrix to couple the first signal receiver to a primary antenna of the plurality of antennas and the second signal receiver to a secondary antenna of the plurality of antennas based on measured signal quality metrics.
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Specification