Antenna system and method

• US 5,818,385 A
• Filed: 08/12/1996
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3 Volmolder Holdings LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Darin E. Bartholomew
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Darin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US08/689,560
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 342/359, 342/354, 342/372, 455/419, 455/440, 455/456, 455/560, 455/562, 455/92
• US Class Current: 342/372
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/002 providing at least two patterns of different beamwidth; Variable beamwidth antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/22 varying the orientation in accordance with variation of frequency of radiated wave
• 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: H01Q 3/2605 Array of radiating elements provided with a feedback control over the element weights, e.g. adaptive arrays

Abstract

The antenna system and method for dynamically controlling radiation patterns provides an assortment of radiation patterns to increase the performance of communication systems, such as trunking communication systems and cellular communication systems. One embodiment of the antenna system permits a user to manually select a desired radiation pattern from the assortment of radiation patterns. For example, the user may manually select a desired radiation pattern via a graphical user interface of a general purpose computer, or via a conventional telephone. Another embodiment of the antenna system and method tailors radiation patterns in response to factors such as the locations of mobile units, the channel assignments of mobile units, and the transmissions of particular mobile units.

Claims

1. A communication system equipped with an array antenna for dynamically controlling radiation patterns, the communication system comprising:

an array antenna having means for processing a radio frequency signal, said means for processing a radio frequency signal having a control input and radio frequency signal terminals, the array antenna being located at an antenna site;

an array antenna control system, the array antenna control system having a processor, an alpha input/output port, a chi input/output port, memory, and a databus;

the processor, the alpha input/output port, the chi input/output port, and the memory coupled to the databus, the alpha input/output port coupled to said control input; and

a mobile radio unit having a transmitter;

a location-determining receiver collocated with the mobile radio unit at a geographic mobile location, the location-determining receiver electromagnetically providing external input data to the chi input/output port regarding the geographic mobile location; and

a location database containing a library of radiation patterns producible by said array antenna, the location database being stored in said array antenna control system, the radiation patterns defined in terms of radiation pattern gain versus direction, each of said radiation patterns having at least one main lobe approaching a peak pattern gain in a main lobe direction, the array antenna control system selecting a radiation pattern from the library such that the main lobe direction is substantially directed toward the geographic mobile location, the array antenna control system selecting the most focused radiation pattern, from the library, with a greatest radiation pattern gain aligned toward the geographic mobile location.

2. The communications system according to claim 1 further comprising:

radiation pattern selection means for selecting an appropriate control code for communication with the control input;

respective control codes associated with corresponding antenna radiation patterns, said appropriate control code selected to substantially direct the main lobe of the most focused radiation pattern at the geographic mobile location.

3. The communications system according to claim 2 wherein the location database has fields of radiation pattern gains, radiation pattern azimuths, and control codes;

respective radiation pattern gains being a function of corresponding radiation pattern azimuths for each radiation pattern, respective ones of the radiation patterns being associated with corresponding ones of radiation pattern control codes; and

wherein

radiation pattern selection means matches the geographic mobile location with the radiation pattern azimuth having the most focused radiation pattern directed at the geographic mobile location;

the most focused radiation pattern being associated with the highest radiation pattern gain, among the library, that pertains to the geographic mobile location.

4. The communication system according to claim 1 further comprising:

location calculating means for calculating the geographic mobile location of the mobile unit with respect to the antenna site based on said external input data, said location calculating means being stored in said first memory.

5. The communication system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an authorization database for a cellular communication system containing a list of authorized radiation patterns, unauthorized radiation patterns, authorized frequencies, and unauthorized frequencies for the antenna control system at the antenna site.

6. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the location database comprises fields having respective mobile azimuths that are associated with corresponding horizontal plane radiation patterns, the horizontal plane radiation patterns in said location database providing the most focused radiation pattern pertaining to the geographic mobile location.

7. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the location database comprises fields having respective mobile distances that are associated with corresponding vertical plane radiation patterns, the vertical plane radiation patterns in said location database providing the most focused radiation pattern pertaining to the geographic mobile location.

8. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the location database is stored as an inverted file.

9. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the location database includes a dynamic knowledge database for storing recent mobile azimuths relative to the antenna site.

10. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the location database includes a dynamic knowledge database for storing recent mobile distances of mobile units relative to the antenna site.

11. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the means for processing a signal comprises a phase shifter.

12. The communication system according to claim 1 wherein the array antenna comprises an array antenna selected from the group consisting of a general array, a simple array system, a complex array, an alternate complex array, a down-tilt array, an array antenna having dipole elements, an array antenna having horn elements, an array antenna having a waveguide with radiating slots, an array antenna having dipole elements and conductive reflectors, and an array consisting of a plurality of corner-reflector antennas.

13. A communication system equipped with an array antenna for dynamically controlling radiation patterns, the communication system comprising:

an array antenna having means for processing a radio frequency signal, said means for processing a radio frequency signal having a control input and radio frequency signal terminals, the array antenna being located at an antenna site;

an array antenna control system, the array antenna control system having a processor, an alpha input/output port, a chi input/output port, memory, and a databus;

the processor, the alpha input/output port, the chi input/output port, and the memory coupled to the databus, the alpha input/output port coupled to said control input;

a first mobile radio unit having a first transmitter;

a second mobile radio unit having a second transmitter;

a first location-determining receiver collocated with the first mobile radio unit at a first geographic mobile location, the first location-determining receiver electromagnetically providing external input data to the chi input/output port regarding the first geographic mobile location; and

a second location-determining receiver collocated with the second mobile radio unit at a second geographic mobile location, the second location-determining receiver electromagnetically providing external input data to the chi input/output port regarding the second geographic mobile location; and

a location database containing a library of radiation patterns producible by said array antenna, the location database being stored in said array antenna control system, the radiation patterns defined in terms of radiation pattern gain versus direction, each radiation pattern having at least one main lobe approaching a peak pattern gain in a main lobe direction, the array antenna control system selecting the most focused radiation pattern, from the library, with a highest group of radiation pattern gains aligned toward said geographic mobile locations.

14. The communication system according to claim 13 wherein the location database has a dynamic knowledge database including voice channel assignment data of the first mobile radio unit and the second mobile radio unit while the first mobile radio unit and the second mobile radio unit utilize the antenna system, the dynamic knowledge database being updated periodically.

15. The communication system according to claim 13 wherein the location database has a dynamic knowledge database including data channel assignment data of the first mobile radio unit and the second mobile radio unit while the first mobile radio unit and the second mobile radio unit utilize the antenna system, the dynamic knowledge database being updated periodically.

16. The communication system according to claim 13 further comprising:

radiation pattern selection means for selecting an appropriate control code for communication with the control input;

respective control codes associated with corresponding antenna radiation patterns, said appropriate control code representing the directing of the main lobe or lobes of the most focused radiation pattern toward the first geographic mobile location and the second geographic mobile location.

17. The communication system according to claim 16 wherein radiation pattern selection means further comprises:

range matching means for establishing a range of mobile azimuths of the first mobile unit, in its called mode, and the second mobile unit, in its calling mode, for mobile-to-mobile calls so that both the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit are encompassed within a corresponding radiation pattern directed at said range, said range of mobile azimuths representing the probable or potential geographic mobile locations of the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit.

18. The communication system according to claim 13 further comprising radiation pattern selection means including range matching means for establishing a range of mobile azimuths of the first mobile unit, in its calling mode, for mobile-to-landline calls so that only the first mobile unit is encompassed within a corresponding radiation pattern substantially directed at said range, said range of mobile azimuths representing the probable or potential geographic mobile locations of the first mobile unit.

19. The communication system according to claim 13 further comprising radiation pattern selection means including range matching means for establishing a range of mobile azimuths of the first mobile unit in its called mode for landline-to-mobile calls so that only the first mobile is encompassed within a corresponding radiation pattern substantially directed at said range, said range of mobile azimuths representing the probable or potential geographic mobile locations of the first mobile unit.

20. The communication system according to claim 13 further comprising:

channel assignment means for assigning mobile radio units served by said antenna system to adjacent time slots of a frame in a time division multiplex modulation scheme according to mobile geographic locations of the mobile units such that mobile units with a sufficiently close geographic proximity are assigned to the same radiation pattern and the same frame, so that a radiation pattern of said antenna system is limited to a focused area, said mobile units including the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit.

21. The communication system according to claim 20 wherein the sufficiently close geographic proximity comprises the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit being located within a coverage area of a single cardioid radiation pattern and wherein said radiation pattern of said antenna system is limited to said cardioid covering the first geographic mobile location and the second geographic mobile location.

22. The communication system according to claim 13 further comprising:

channel assignment means for assigning mobile radio units to adjacent time slots of a frame in a time division multiplex modulation scheme according to the location of mobile units such that mobile units with conveniently spaced geographic proximity can be assigned the same radiation pattern and the same frame, so that the selected radiation pattern is limited to a focused area, said mobile units including the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit.

23. The communication system according to claim 22 wherein the conveniently spaced geographic proximity comprises the mobile units being located within a coverage area of a figure-eight radiation pattern and wherein said radiation pattern of said antenna system is limited to said figure-eight radiation pattern.

29. The antenna system according to claim 18 wherein the location-determining receiver comprises a receiver selected from the group consisting of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a Long Range Navigation System receiver, a Loran receiver, a Loran C receiver, a Loran D receiver, a tactical air navigation (TACAN) receiver, and a satellite downlink receiver.

24. An antenna system for use in a mobile communications system, the antenna system comprising:

an array antenna having means for processing a radio frequency signal, the means for processing a radio frequency signal having a control input;

an antenna control system having an array antenna controller for dynamically assigning radiation patterns to the array antenna, the array antenna controller having a first processor, an alpha input/output port, a chi input/output port, a first memory, a user interface, and a first databus;

the first processor coupled to the first databus, the alpha input/output port coupled to the first databus, the chi input/output port coupled to the first databus, the first memory coupled to the first databus, the alpha input/output port being in communication with the control input;

a location database stored in the first memory, the location database containing a library of radiation patterns of the array antenna, each radiation pattern having a respective control code for communication with means for processing a radio frequency signal, the first processor selecting the control code based on the mobile location of a mobile unit or the spatial distribution of mobile units, the array antenna control system selecting the most focused radiation pattern, from the library, with a highest group of radiation pattern gains for the spatial distribution of the mobile units; and

a first external input source being coupled to said chi input/output port, the first external input source providing external input data concerning the mobile location of at least one mobile unit, the first processor comparing the external input data with the library of radiation patterns in the first memory to determine the control code.

25. The antenna system according to claim 24 further comprising a communications controller having a second processor, a second memory, a beta input/output port, a gamma input/output port, and a second databus;

the second databus coupled to the second processor, the second memory, the beta input/output port, and the gamma input/output port, the beta input/output port connected to the control input, the gamma input/output port being in communication with the alpha input/output port.

26. The antenna system according to claim 25 further comprising a communications interface including a first modem and a second modem, the first modem connected to the alpha input/output port, the second modem connected to the gamma input/output port, the first modem coupled to the second modem.

27. The antenna system according to claim 24 further comprising a communications interface, the communications interface including a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter, a beta transmitter, a beta receiver, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, and an A/D controller;

the D/A converter coupled to the alpha input/output port and the beta transmitter, the beta transmitter coupled to the beta receiver, the beta receiver coupled to the A/D converter, the A/D converter coupled to the A/D controller and the control input.

28. The antenna system according to claim 24 further comprising:

a base station receiver, the base station receiver connected to the array antenna controller via the chi input/output port;

a mobile transceiver having a mobile transmitter, the mobile transmitter electromagnetically coupled to the base station receiver when the mobile transmitter is activated, the base station receiver receiving external input data from the first external input source via the mobile transmitter; and

wherein the first external input source comprises

a location-determining receiver, the location-determining receiver having a receiver output coupled to a transmitter input of the mobile transmitter.

30. The antenna system according to claim 24 further comprising:

a plurality of base station receivers;

a base station controller, the base station controller coupled to at least one base station receiver, the base station controller coupled to the array antenna controller;

a mobile transceiver having a mobile transmitter, the mobile transmitter electromagnetically coupled to at least one base station receiver when the mobile transmitter is activated; and

wherein said first external input source comprises

a location-determining receiver, the location-determining receiver having a receiver output coupled to a transmitter input of the mobile transmitter.

31. The antenna system according to claim 24 wherein the array antenna controller has at least one additional input/output port, each additional input/output port coupled to the first databus;

and further comprising;

one or more mobile units, each mobile unit including a mobile transceiver and a location-determining receiver, each mobile transceiver having a mobile transmitter, respective ones of the mobile transmitters coupled to corresponding ones of the location-determining receivers; and

base site equipment including an array antenna, said array antenna controller, an uplink receiver, a downlink receiver, and a base station;

said antenna system coupled to the base station at a radio frequency bandwidth of desired operation;

the array antenna controller coupled to the uplink receiver and coupled to the downlink receiver;

the uplink receiver electromagnetically coupled to the mobile transmitter when the mobile transmitter is activated; and

the base station having a base station transmitter, the base station transmitter electromagnetically coupled to the downlink receiver when the base station transmitter is activated.

32. The antenna system according to claim 24 wherein the array antenna is located in a primary cell surrounded by a plurality of proximate cells;

the antenna system further comprising a second external input source providing external input data concerning the antenna radiation patterns being used in said proximate cell sites, said second external input source being an additional array antenna controller located in one of said proximate cells.

33. The antenna system according to claim 24 wherein the first external input source is selected from the group consisting of a trunking receiver, a cellular receiver, an uplink receiver, a downlink receiver, a base station controller, a cellular base station controller, a trunking base station controller, a mobile switching center, a mobile telecommunications switching office, a location-determining receiver, signal quality determining receivers, a mobile transceiver, and a mobile unit.

34. The antenna system according to claim 31 wherein one of said additional input/output ports is coupled to a second external input source selected from the group consisting of the uplink receiver, the downlink receiver, and a combination of the uplink receiver and the downlink receiver.

35. The antenna system according to claim 24 wherein the array antenna controller has additional input/output ports, each additional input/output port coupled to the first databus;

and further comprising;

one or more mobile units, each mobile unit including a mobile transceiver, each mobile transceiver having a mobile transmitter;

base site equipment including said array antenna controller, and said array antenna; and

wherein said first external input source comprises

a plurality of signal quality determining receivers, each signal quality determining receiver coupled to an additional one of said input/output ports, respective ones of signal quality receivers having corresponding ones of signal quality antennas, each signal quality antenna arranged to receive radio frequency signals in a substantially limited, discrete geographic area, one or more mobile transmitters electromagnetically coupled to one or more signal quality determining receivers when at least one of said mobile transmitters transmits.

36. The antenna system according to claim 24 wherein the array antenna controller has at least one additional input/output port, each additional input/output port coupled to said first databus;

and further comprising;

an additional array antenna;

an additional array antenna controller controlling the additional array antenna, said additional array antenna controller providing external input data to said array antenna controller concerning radiation patterns being used by said additional array antenna controller on particular radio frequencies of operation;

communication means for communicating between the array antenna controller and the additional array antenna controller, said additional array antenna controller coupled to said array antenna controller via said communication means.