Wideband digitization systems and methods for cellular radiotelephones

• US 5,832,389 A
• Filed: 04/03/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Dent, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Nguyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US08/627,956
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 455/101, 455/102, 455/103, 455/132, 455/133, 455/134, 455/135, 455/272, 455/273, 455/275, 455/277.1, 455/277.2, 455/279.1, 455/422, 455/424, 455/425, 455/443 , 455/500, 455/517, 455/524, 455/526, 455/562, 343/890, 343/893, 343/700 MS, 370/19, 370/337, 370/310, 375/347, 375/349
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/08 the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path waveguide fed H01Q21/0037
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0421 with a shorting wall or a shorting pin at one end of the element H01Q9/0414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0428 radiating a circular polarised wave
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0435 using two feed points
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/06 at the transmitting station
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/086 using weights depending on external parameters, e.g. direction of arrival [DOA], predetermined weights or beamforming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A base station for communicating with at least one mobile station in a cellular communications system includes a plurality of receive antennas wherein each receive antenna is oriented to define a respective receive coverage area. The antennas are supported by a support structure so that a first receive antenna defines a first receive coverage area and a second receive antenna defines a second receive coverage area overlapping a portion of the first receive coverage area. First and second wideband receivers are operatively connected to respective first and second antennas. The first wideband receiver receives a first plurality of receive channels from the first receive coverage area, and the second wideband receiver receives a second plurality of receive channels from the second receive coverage area. The first and second pluralities of receive channels include at least one common receive channel. The base station also includes first and second channel splitters operatively connected to the respective first and second wideband receivers for separating the first and second pluralities of receive channels. A diversity combiner is operatively connected to the first and second channel splitters for combining the common receive channel from the first and second channel splitters. Accordingly, an enhanced quality output receive channel is produced.

Claims

1. A cellular base station for communicating with a mobile station in a cellular communications system over one of a plurality of cellular communications channels, said base station comprising:

a plurality of receive antennas for receiving signals from the mobile station over the cellular communications channel wherein each receive antenna is oriented to define a respective receive coverage area;

a support structure for supporting said plurality of receive antennas so that a first receive antenna defines a first receive coverage area and a second receive antenna defines a second receive coverage area overlapping a portion of said first receive coverage area;

a first wideband receiver operatively connected to said first receive antenna, wherein said first wideband receiver receives a first plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said first receive coverage area;

a second wideband receiver operatively connected to said second receive antenna, wherein said second wideband receiver receives a second plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said second receive coverage area and wherein said first and second pluralities of receive channels include the one common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

first and second channel splitters operatively connected to said respective first and second wideband receivers for separating said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels; and

a diversity combiner operatively connected to said first and second channel splitters for combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first and second channel splitters to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station;

wherein each of said receive cellular communications channel operates on a predetermined cellular frequency and said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels each comprise receive channels operating on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies.

2. A base station according to claim 1 wherein said first receive antenna receives signals having a first polarization and said second receive antenna receives signals having a second polarization different from said first polarization, and wherein said diversity combiner comprises a polarization diversity combiner.

3. A base station according to claim 2 wherein said first polarization comprises right-hand-circular polarization and said second polarization comprises left-hand-circular polarization.

4. A base station according to claim 2 wherein said first and second receive antennas are adjacent receive antennas.

5. A base station according to claim 1 further comprising:

a third receive antenna defining a third receive coverage area overlapping portions of said first and second receive coverage areas;

a third wideband receiver operatively connected to said third receive antenna, wherein said third wideband receiver receives a third plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said third receive coverage area and wherein said third plurality of receive cellular communications channels includes the common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

a third channel splitter operatively connected to said third wideband receiver for separating said third plurality of receive channels; and

wherein said diversity combiner is operatively connected to said first, second, and third channel splitters for combining said common receiver cellular communications channel from said first, second, and third channel splitters to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station.

6. A base station according to claim 1 wherein said first wideband receiver receives said first plurality of receive cellular communications channels operating on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₁ l to ƒ

_n, and wherein said second wideband receiver receives said second plurality of receive cellular communications channels operating on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₂ to ƒ

_n+1.

7. A cellular base station for communicating with a mobile station in a cellular communications system over one of a plurality of cellular communications channels, said base station comprising:

a plurality of receive antennas for receiving signals from the mobile station over the cellular communications channel wherein each receive antenna is oriented to define a respective receive coverage area;

a support structure for supporting said plurality of receive antennas so that a first receive antenna defines a first receive coverage area and a second receive antenna defines a second receive coverage area overlapping a portion of said first receive coverage area;

a first wideband receiver operatively connected to said first receive antenna, wherein said first wideband receiver receives a first plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said first receive coverage area;

a second wideband receiver operatively connected to said second receive antenna, wherein said second wideband receiver receives a second plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said second receive coverage area and wherein said first and second pluralities of receive channels include the one common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

first and second channel splitters operatively connected to said respective first and second wideband receivers for separating said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels; and

a diversity combiner operatively connected to said first and second channel splitters for combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first and second channel splitters to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station;

wherein said first receive antenna receives signals having a first polarization and said second receive antenna receives signals having a second polarization different from said first polarization, and wherein said diversity combiner comprises a polarization diversity combiner; and

wherein said first antenna defines a first transmit coverage area and transmits signals having said second polarization, and wherein said second antenna defines a second transmit coverage area and transmits signals having said first polarization.

8. A cellular base station for communicating with a mobile station in a cellular communications system over one of a plurality of cellular communications channels, said base station comprising:

a plurality of receive antennas for receiving signals from the mobile station over the cellular communications channel wherein each receive antenna is oriented to define a respective receive coverage area;

a support structure for supporting said plurality of receive antennas so that a first receive antenna defines a first receive coverage area, a second receive antenna adjacent said first receive antenna defines a second receive coverage area overlapping a portion of said first receive coverage area, and a third receive antenna adjacent said second receive antenna defines a third receive coverage area overlapping portions of said first and second receive coverage areas;

a first wideband receiver operatively connected to said first receive antenna, wherein said first wideband receiver receives a first plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said first receive coverage area;

a second wideband receiver operatively connected to said second receive antenna, wherein said second wideband receiver receives a second plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said second receive coverage area;

a third wideband receiver operatively connected to said third receive antenna, wherein said third wideband receiver receives a third plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said third receive coverage area and wherein said first, second, and third pluralities of receive channels include the common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

first, second, and third channel splitters operatively connected to said respective first, second, and third wideband receivers for separating said first, second, and third pluralities of receive channels; and

a diversity combiner operatively connected to said first, second, and third channel splitters for combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first, second, and third channel splitters to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station;

wherein said first and third receive antennas receive signals having a first polarization and said second receive antenna receives signals having a second polarization different from said first polarization, and wherein said diversity combiner comprises a polarization diversity combiner;

wherein said first and third antennas define respective first and third transmit coverage areas and transmit signals having said second polarization, and wherein said second antenna defines a second transmit coverage area and transmits signals having said first polarization.

9. A cellular base station for communicating with a mobile station in a cellular communications system over one of a plurality of cellular communications channels, said base station comprising:

a plurality of receive antennas for receiving signals from the mobile station over the cellular communications channel wherein each receive antenna is oriented to define a respective receive coverage area;

a support structure for supporting said plurality of receive antennas so that a first receive antenna defines a first receive coverage area, a second receive antenna adjacent said first receive antenna defines a second receive coverage area overlapping a portion of said first receive coverage area, and a third receive antenna adjacent said second receive antenna defines a third receive coverage area overlapping portions of said first and second receive coverage areas;

a first wideband receiver operatively connected to said first receive antenna, wherein said first wideband receiver receives a first plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said first receive coverage area;

a second wideband receiver operatively connected to said second receive antenna, wherein said second wideband receiver receives a second plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said second receive coverage area;

a third wideband receiver operatively connected to said third receive antenna, wherein said third wideband receiver receives a third plurality of receive cellular communications channels from said third receive coverage area and wherein said first, second, and third pluralities of receive channels include the common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

first, second, and third channel splitters operatively connected to said respective first, second, and third wideband receivers for separating said first, second, and third pluralities of receive channels; and

a diversity combiner operatively connected to said first, second, and third channel splitters for combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first, second, and third channel splitters to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station;

wherein each of said receive channels operates on a predetermined frequency and said first, second, and third pluralities of receive channels each comprise receive channels operating on consecutive frequencies.

10. A base station according to claim 9 wherein first and third receive antennas receive signals having a first polarization and said second receive antenna receives signals having a second polarization different from said first polarization, and wherein said diversity combiner comprises a polarization diversity combiner.

11. A base station according to claim 10 wherein said first polarization comprises right-hand-circular polarization and said second polarization comprises left-hand-circular polarization.

12. A base station according to claim 9 wherein said first wideband receiver receives said first plurality of receive cellular communications channels operating on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₁ to ƒ

_n, wherein said second wideband receiver receives said second plurality of receive cellular communications channels operating on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₂ to ƒ

_n+1, and wherein said third wideband receiver receives said third plurality of receive cellular communications channels operating on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₃ to ƒ

_n+2.

13. A method for communicating with a mobile station over one of a plurality of cellular communications channels, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first plurality of receive cellular communications channels from a first receive coverage area;

receiving a second plurality of receive cellular communications channels from a second receive coverage area which overlaps a portion of said first receive coverage area, wherein said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels include the common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

separating said common receive channel from each of said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels;

combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first and second receive coverage areas to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station, wherein said step of receiving said first plurality of receive channels comprises receiving said first plurality of receive channels having a first polarization, and wherein said step of receiving said second plurality of receive channels comprises receiving said second plurality of receive channels having a second polarization different from said first polarization;

transmitting signals having said second polarization into said first receive coverage area; and

transmitting signals having said first polarization into said second receive coverage area.

14. A method for communicating with a mobile station over one of a plurality of cellular communications channels, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first plurality of receive cellular communications channels from a first receive coverage area;

receiving a second plurality of receive cellular communications channels from a second receive coverage area which overlaps a portion of said first receive coverage area, wherein said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels include the common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

separating said common receive channel from each of said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels; and

combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first and second receive coverage areas to produce an enhanced quality output receive channel from the mobile station;

wherein each of said receive cellular communications channels operates on a predetermined frequency and said first and second pluralities of receive cellular communications channels each comprise receive cellular communications channels operating on consecutive predetermined frequencies.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of receiving said first plurality of receive channels comprises receiving said first plurality of receive channels having a first polarization, and wherein said step of receiving said second plurality of receive channels comprises receiving said second plurality of receive channels having a second polarization different from said first polarization.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said first polarization comprises right-hand-circular polarization and said second polarization comprises left-hand-circular polarization.

17. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a third plurality of receive cellular communications channels from a third receive coverage area which overlaps portions of said first and second receive coverage areas, and wherein said third plurality of receive cellular communications includes said common receive cellular communications channel from the mobile station;

separating said third plurality of receive cellular communications channels; and

wherein said combining step further comprises combining said common receive cellular communications channel from said first, second, and third channel splitters.

18. A method according to claim 14 wherein said first plurality of receive cellular communications channels operate on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₁ to ƒ

_n, and wherein said second plurality of cellular communications channels operate on consecutive predetermined cellular frequencies ranging from ƒ

₂ to ƒ

f_n+1.