Transmitter/receiver for combined adaptive array processing and fixed beam switching

• US 6,314,305 B1
• Filed: 12/10/1998
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Solondz, Max, Benning, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Application Number:
  US09/208,766
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 455/562, 455/507, 455/422, 455/517, 455/561, 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455/63, 455/138, 455/273, 455/450-453, 455/456, 455/132-137, 455/269, 455/272, 455/277.1, 455/78, 455/83, 375/267, 375/299, 375/347, 342/155, 342/373.457, 343/702, 343/893
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2605 Array of radiating elements provided with a feedback control over the element weights, e.g. adaptive arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0615 of weighted versions of same signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• 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: H04W 16/24 Cell structures

Abstract

A cellular base station transmitter/receiver system is provided which combines adaptive array processing, for the uplink RF signals, and fixed beam switching, for the downlink RF signals. An example of the configuration employs at least four antenna ports, with all four ports being used to provide uplink RF signals to a receiver processor, two being used to supply narrow beam uplink signals and two being used to supply wide beam uplink signals. Two of the four ports are used to provide beam switched narrow beam downlink RF signals.

Claims

1. A transmitter/receiver system comprising:

a first plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers an entire sector;

a second plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers a sub-sector;

receiver signal processing circuitry for receiving and processing uplink RF signals received from each of said first and second plurality of antenna ports; and

transmitter signal processing circuitry for providing downlink RF signals to at least one port of said second plurality of ports.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein said receiver signal processing circuitry performs adaptive array processing on said uplink RF signal.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein said transmitter signal processing circuitry includes a switching device for providing said downlink RF signals to a selected said at least one port of said second plurality of ports.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein said receiver signal processing circuitry comprises:

a plurality of frequency duplexers, each of said frequency duplexers being respectively coupled to one of said second plurality of antenna ports;

an adaptive array diversity receiver comprising a plurality of receiver branches, each input of a first subset of said plurality of receiver branches being respectively coupled to an output of one of said plurality of frequency duplexers, each input of a second subset of said plurality of receiver branches being respectively coupled to one of said first plurality of antenna ports;

an adaptive array processor, said processor being coupled to an output of each of said plurality of receiver branches; and

a receiver coupled to an output of said adaptive array processor.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein said transmission signal processing circuitry comprises:

a transmitter;

a transmitter selector switch, said switch comprising a plurality of output positions, said switch having an input coupled to an output of said transmitter; and

a plurality of frequency duplexers, each of said frequency duplexers being respectively coupled to one of said output positions of said selector switch, each of said frequency duplexers also being respectively coupled to one of said second plurality of antenna ports.

6. The system as in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of amplifiers, an input of each of said plurality of amplifiers being respectively coupled to one of said plurality of output positions of said selector switch, an output of each of said plurality of amplifiers being respectively coupled to one of said plurality of frequency duplexers.

7. The system as in claim 5, wherein said selector switch selects one of said output positions in response to a control signal received from said receiver signal processing circuitry.

8. The system as in claim 1, wherein said receiver signal processing circuitry and said transmitter signal processing circuitry are part of a cellular base station.

9. A system for transmitting and receiving RF signals comprising:

at least four antenna ports connectable to respective antennas and used in an uplink signal processing function, at least a first two of said respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers an entire sector, at least a second two of said respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers a sub-sector, wherein said at least a second two of said at least four antenna ports are also used in a downlink signal processing function; and

transmitter/receiver processing circuitry coupled to said at least four antenna ports and operating to provide downlink RF signals to said at least a second two antenna ports and for receiving and processing uplink RF signals received at said at least four antenna ports.

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein said transmitter/receiver circuitry comprises:

at least two frequency duplexers, each of said at least two frequency duplexers being respectively coupled to one of said at least four antenna ports;

an adaptive array diversity receiver comprising at least four receiver branches, each input of a first at least two of said at least four receiver branches being respectively coupled to an output of one of said at least two frequency duplexers, each input of a second at least two of said at least four receiver branches being respectively coupled to a remaining one of said at least four antenna ports;

an adaptive array processor, said processor being coupled to an output of each of said at least four receiver branches; and

a receiver coupled to an output of said adaptive array processor.

11. The system as in claim 10 further comprising:

a transmitter; and

a transmitter selector switch, comprising at least two output positions, having an input coupled to an output of said transmitter, said transmitter selector switch being controlled by an output of said adaptive array processor, each of said at least two output positions of said transmitter selector switch also being respectively coupled to one of said at least two frequency duplexers.

12. The system as in claim 11 further comprising at least two amplifiers, an input of each of said at least two amplifiers being respectively coupled to one of said at least two output positions of said transmitter selector switch, an output of each of said at least two amplifiers also being respectively coupled to one of said at least two frequency duplexers.

13. The system as in claim 9, wherein said system is used in a cellular base station.

14. The system as in claim 13, wherein the antenna system of said cellular base station uses horizontal spatial packaging.

15. The system as in claim 13, wherein the antenna system of said cellular base station uses dual polarization packaging.

16. A method of transmitting and receiving RF signals at a base station comprising:

receiving uplink RF signals and passing said signals through a plurality of antenna ports connectable to respective antennas, a first sub-set of said respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers an entire sector, a second sub-set of said respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers a sub-sector;

processing said uplink RF signals passed by said plurality of antenna ports with receiver signal processing circuitry;

selecting at least one port connectable to said second sub-set of respective antennas to pass downlink RF signals; and

transmitting said downlink RF signals by passing said RF signals through at least said one selected port.

17. The method as in claim 16, wherein said act of processing further comprises adaptive array processing of said uplink RF signals.

18. The method as in claim 16, wherein said act of selecting further comprises switching between at least two ports respectively connectable to at least two of said second sub-set of antennas to pass said downlink RF signals.

19. The method as in claim 16, wherein said base station is a cellular base station.

20. The method as in claim 16, wherein said act of processing further comprises:

sending uplink RF signals, passed by each of said plurality of antenna ports connectable to said second sub-set of respective antennas, through frequency duplexing circuitry;

sending uplink RF signals, passed by each of a remainder of said plurality of antenna ports connectable to said first sub-set of respective antennas, through receiver processing circuitry;

sending said uplink RF signals, passed through said frequency duplexing circuitry, through said receiver processing circuitry; and

passing said uplink RF signals from said receiver processing circuitry into a receiver.

21. The method as in claim 20, further comprising controlling the selection of said at least one port connectable to said second sub-set of respective antennas by an output signal of said receiver processing circuitry.

22. The method as in claim 16, wherein said act of transmitting further comprises:

selecting at least one signal path, from a plurality of signal paths, for radiating downlink RF signals;

radiating downlink RF signals through said selected at least one signal path;

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through frequency duplexing circuitry; and

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through said at least one selected port.

23. The method as in claim 22, wherein said radiated downlink RF signals are also passed through signal amplification circuitry.

24. A method of transmitting and receiving RF signals at a base station comprising:

receiving uplink RF signals and passing said signals through at least four antenna ports connectable to respective antennas, at least a first two of said respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers an entire sector, at least a second two of said respective antennas having an associated beam pattern that covers a sub-sector;

processing said uplink RF signals passed by said at least four antenna ports with receiver signal processing circuitry;

selecting at least one port connectable to at least one said at least a second two antennas which will serve to pass downlink RF signals; and

transmitting said downlink RF signals by passing said RF signals through said at least one selected port.

25. The method as in claim 24, wherein said act of processing further comprises adaptive array processing of said uplink RF signals.

26. The method as in claim 24, wherein said act of selecting further comprises switching between at least two ports respectively connectable to said at least a second two antennas.

27. The method as in claim 24, wherein said act of processing further comprises:

sending each of said uplink RE signals, received by said at least one port, through frequency duplexing circuitry;

sending each of a remainder of said uplink RF signals, passed by said at least four antenna ports, through receiver processing circuitry;

sending each of said uplink RF signals, passed through frequency duplexing circuitry, through said receiver processing circuitry; and

passing said uplink RF signals to receiver circuitry.

28. The method as in claim 27, wherein a selection signal is sent from said receiver processing circuitry to select said at least one port.

29. The method as in claim 24, wherein said act of transmitting further comprises:

selecting at least one signal path for radiating downlink RF signals;

radiating downlink RF signals through said selected at least one signal path;

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through frequency duplexing circuitry; and

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through said at least one selected port.

30. The method as in claim 29, wherein said radiated downlink signals are passed through signal amplification circuitry.

31. The method as in claim 24, wherein said base station is a cellular base station.

32. A transmitter/receiver system comprising:

a first plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas having an associated first predetermined beam pattern;

a second plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas having an associated second predetermined beam pattern;

receiver signal processing circuitry for receiving and processing uplink RF signals received from each of said first and second plurality of antenna ports; and

transmitter signal processing circuitry for providing downlink RF signals to at least one port of said second plurality of ports, wherein

said receiver signal processing circuitry further comprises;

a plurality of frequency duplexers, each of said frequency duplexers being respectively coupled to one of said second plurality of antenna ports;

an adaptive array diversity receiver comprising a plurality of receiver branches, each input of a first subset of said plurality of receiver branches being respectively coupled to an output of one of said plurality of frequency duplexers, each input of a second subset of said plurality of receiver branches being respectively coupled to one of said first plurality of antenna ports;

an adaptive array processor, said processor being coupled to an output of each of said plurality of receiver branches; and

a receiver coupled to an output of said adaptive array processor.

33. A transmitter/receiver system comprising:

a first plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas having an associated first predetermined beam pattern;

a second plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas having an associated second predetermined beam pattern;

receiver signal processing circuitry for receiving and processing uplink RF signals received from each of said first and second plurality of antenna ports; and

transmitter signal processing circuitry for providing downlink RF signals to at least one port of said second plurality of ports, wherein

said transmission signal processing circuitry further comprises;

a transmitter;

a transmitter selector switch, said switch comprising a plurality of output positions, said switch having an input coupled to an output of said transmitter; and

a plurality of frequency duplexers, each of said frequency duplexers being respectively coupled to one of said output positions of said selector switch, each of said frequency duplexers also being respectively coupled to one of said second plurality of antenna ports.

34. The system as in claim 33 further comprising a plurality of amplifiers, an input of each of said plurality of amplifiers being respectively coupled to one of said plurality of output positions of said selector switch, an output of each of said plurality of amplifiers being respectively coupled to one of said plurality of frequency duplexers.

35. The system as in claim 33, wherein said selector switch selects one of said output positions in response to a control signal received from said receiver signal processing circuitry.

36. A system for transmitting and receiving RF signals comprising:

at least four antenna ports connectable to respective antennas and used in an uplink signal processing function, at least two of said at least four antenna ports also being used in a downlink signal processing function; and

transmitter/receiver processing circuitry coupled to said at least four antenna ports and operating to provide downlink RF signals to said at least two antenna ports and for receiving and processing uplink RF signals received at said at least four antenna ports, wherein

said transmitter/receiver circuitry further comprises;

at least two frequency duplexers, each of said at least two frequency duplexers being respectively coupled to one of said at least four antenna ports;

an adaptive array diversity receiver comprising at least four receiver branches, each input of a first at least two of said at least four receiver branches being respectively coupled to an output of one of said at least two frequency duplexers, each input of a second at least two of said at least four receiver branches being respectively coupled to a remaining one of said at least four antenna ports;

an adaptive array processor, said processor being coupled to an output of each of said at least four receiver branches; and

a receiver coupled to an output of said adaptive array processor.

37. The system as in claim 36 further comprising:

a transmitter; and

a transmitter selector switch, comprising at least two output positions, having an input coupled to an output of said transmitter, said transmitter selector switch being controlled by an output of said adaptive array processor, each of said at least two output positions of said transmitter selector switch also being respectively coupled to one of said at least two frequency duplexers.

38. The system as in claim 37 further comprising at least two amplifiers, an input of each of said at least two amplifiers being respectively coupled to one of said at least two output positions of said transmitter selector switch, an output of each of said at least two amplifiers also being respectively coupled to one of said at least two frequency duplexers.

39. A method of transmitting and receiving RF signals at a base station comprising:

receiving uplink RF signals and passing said signals through a plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas;

processing said uplink RF signals passed by said plurality of antenna ports with receiver signal processing circuitry;

selecting at least one port of a sub-set of said plurality of antenna ports to pass downlink RF signals; and

transmitting said downlink RF signals by passing said RF signals through at least said one selected port, wherein

said act of processing further comprises;

sending uplink RF signals, passed by each of said sub-set of said plurality of antenna ports, through frequency duplexing circuitry;

sending uplink RF signals, passed by each of the remaining of said plurality of antenna ports, through receiver processing circuitry;

sending said uplink RF signals, passed through said frequency duplexing circuitry, through said receiver processing circuitry; and

passing said uplink RF signals from said receiver processing circuitry into a receiver.

40. The method as in claim 39, further comprising controlling the selection of at least one port of said sub-set of ports to pass said downlink RF signals by an output signal of said receiver processing circuitry.

41. A method of transmitting and receiving RF signals at a base station comprising:

receiving uplink RF signals and passing said signals through a plurality of antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas;

processing said uplink RF signals passed by said plurality of antenna ports with receiver signal processing circuitry;

selecting at least one port of a sub-set of said plurality of antenna ports to pass downlink RF signals; and

transmitting said downlink RF signals by passing said RF signals through at least said one selected port, wherein

said act of transmitting further comprises;

selecting at least one signal path, from a plurality of signal paths, for radiating downlink RF signals;

radiating downlink RF signals through said selected at least one signal path;

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through frequency duplexing circuitry; and

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through said selected at least one port of said sub-set of said plurality of ports.

42. The method as in claim 41, wherein said radiated downlink RF signals are also passed through signal amplification circuitry.

43. A method of transmitting and receiving RF signals at a base station comprising:

receiving uplink RF signals and passing said signals through at least four antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas;

processing said uplink RF signals passed by said at least four antenna ports with receiver signal processing circuitry;

selecting at least one port of said at least four antenna ports which will serve to pass downlink RF signals; and

transmitting said downlink RF signals by passing said RF signals through said at least one port of said at least four antenna ports, wherein

said act of processing further comprises;

sending each of said uplink RF signals, received by said at least one port, through frequency duplexing circuitry;

sending each of a remainder of said uplink( RF signals, passed by said at least four antenna ports, through receiver processing circuitry;

sending each of said uplink RF signals, passed through frequency duplexing circuitry, through said receiver processing circuitry; and

passing said uplink RF signals to receiver circuitry.

44. The method as in claim 43, wherein a selection signal is sent from said receiver processing circuitry to select at least one port of said at least four ports to pass said downlink RF signals.

45. A method of transmitting and receiving RF signals at a base station comprising:

receiving uplink RF signals and passing said signals through at least four antenna ports adapted to be coupled to respective antennas;

processing said uplink RF signals passed by said at least four antenna ports with receiver signal processing circuitry;

selecting at least one port of said at least four antenna ports which will serve to pass downlink RF signals; and

transmitting said downlink RF signals by passing said RF signals through said at least one port of said at least four antenna ports, wherein

said act of transmitting further comprises;

selecting at least one signal path for radiating downlink RF signals;

radiating downlink RF signals through said selected at least one signal path;

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through frequency duplexing circuitry; and

passing said radiated downlink RF signals through said selected at least one port of said at least four ports.

46. The method as in claim 45, wherein said radiated downlink signals are passed through signal amplification circuitry.