Adaptive antenna for use in wireless communication systems
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing a directive antenna, comprising:
- providing a dielectric layer;
attaching at least one active antenna element and plural passive antenna elements to the dielectric layer; and
electrically coupling at least a subset of the passive antenna elements to respective selectable impedance components independently selectable (a) to affect the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals to be communicated between a first wireless unit and a second wireless unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be positionally directed between the first wireless unit and second wireless unit and (b) according to an essentially optimal impedance setting as determined (i) from parameters of a received pilot signal transmitted from the first wireless unit or (ii) based on a signal quality metric of a signal transmitted by either the first wireless unit or second wireless unit.
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Abstract
An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
40 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing a directive antenna, comprising:
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providing a dielectric layer; attaching at least one active antenna element and plural passive antenna elements to the dielectric layer; and electrically coupling at least a subset of the passive antenna elements to respective selectable impedance components independently selectable (a) to affect the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals to be communicated between a first wireless unit and a second wireless unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be positionally directed between the first wireless unit and second wireless unit and (b) according to an essentially optimal impedance setting as determined (i) from parameters of a received pilot signal transmitted from the first wireless unit or (ii) based on a signal quality metric of a signal transmitted by either the first wireless unit or second wireless unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification