Base stations for use in cellular communications systems
First Claim
1. A method of operating a base station of a cellular communications system comprising:
- forming a plurality of adjacent beams in azimuth across a coverage area, and varying the position of the plurality of beams in a dither fashion in unison whereby to provide a mean antenna gain in all azimuthal directions across the coverage area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A base station of a cellular communications system forms a plurality of adjacent overlapping beams in azimuth across a coverage area, and the position of the plurality of beams is varied in unison about a rest position whereby to provide a mean antenna gain in all azimuthal directions across the coverage area and to minimise cusping loss. The position of the beams can be varied by a movement in azimuth over one half, or multiples of one half, of the angular separation of the formed beams. Preferably there are a plurality of base stations in the system, each of whose plurality of beams are varied in position independently of the other base stations. The beams can be varied at a rate which is substantially equal to the rate of variation of one of the effects normally experienced by a terminal, and which the system operator incorporates a margin to accommodate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a base station of a cellular communications system comprising:
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forming a plurality of adjacent beams in azimuth across a coverage area, and varying the position of the plurality of beams in a dither fashion in unison whereby to provide a mean antenna gain in all azimuthal directions across the coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A cellular communications base station comprising:
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an antenna array which forms a plurality of adjacent beams in azimuth across a coverage area; and
a control device for varying the position of the plurality of beams in a dither fashion in unison whereby to provide a mean antenna gain in all azimuthal directions across the coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of operating a base station of a cellular communications system comprising:
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forming a plurality of adjacent beams in azimuth across a coverage area, each beam being capable of supporting a communications path between the base station and a communications terminal the plurality of beams having a cusped gain pattern, and varying the position of the plurality of beams in a dither fashion in unison whereby to provide a mean antenna gain in all azimuthal directions across the coverage area.
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Specification