Base station arrangement for a cellular communication system
First Claim
1. A base station arrangement for a cellular communication system, the base station arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of antennas with each antenna of the plurality of antennas having a different coverage area;
base station means operable to operate in a sectorised mode and a non-sectorised mode; and
switching means for switching the base station means between the sectorised mode and the non-sectorised mode;
whereinthe base station means is arranged to provide an individual broadcast control carrier to each antenna of the plurality of antennas when in the sectorised mode thereby supporting a plurality of cells each having a coverage area of a corresponding antenna of the plurality of antennas; and
to provide a common broadcast carrier to all antennas of the plurality of antennas when in the non-sectorised mode thereby supporting a single cell having a coverage area corresponding to a combined coverage area of the plurality of antennas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A base station arrangement for a cellular communication system comprises a plurality of antennas (101-105) where each antenna (101-105) has a different coverage area. The base station arrangement can operate in a sectorised mode and a non-sectorised mode controlled by a mode controller (119). When in the sectorised mode, the base station arrangement provides an individual broadcast control carrier to each antenna (101-105) of the plurality of antennas (101-105) thereby supporting a plurality of cells each having a coverage area of the corresponding antenna (101-105). When in the non-sectorised mode, the base station arrangement provides a common broadcast carrier to all antennas (101-105) of the plurality of antennas (101-105) thereby supporting a single cell having a coverage area corresponding to a combined coverage area of the plurality of antennas (101-105). The invention may allow reduced power consumption at low loading without sacrificing peak capacity.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A base station arrangement for a cellular communication system, the base station arrangement comprising:
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a plurality of antennas with each antenna of the plurality of antennas having a different coverage area; base station means operable to operate in a sectorised mode and a non-sectorised mode; and switching means for switching the base station means between the sectorised mode and the non-sectorised mode;
whereinthe base station means is arranged to provide an individual broadcast control carrier to each antenna of the plurality of antennas when in the sectorised mode thereby supporting a plurality of cells each having a coverage area of a corresponding antenna of the plurality of antennas; and
to provide a common broadcast carrier to all antennas of the plurality of antennas when in the non-sectorised mode thereby supporting a single cell having a coverage area corresponding to a combined coverage area of the plurality of antennas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cellular communication system comprising a base station arrangement, the base station arrangement comprising:
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a plurality of antennas with each antenna of the plurality of antennas having a different coverage area; base station means operable to operate in a sectorised mode and a non-sectorised mode; and switching means for switching the base station means between the sectorised mode and the non-sectorised mode;
whereinthe base station means is arranged to provide an individual broadcast control carrier to each antenna of the plurality of antennas when in the sectorised mode thereby supporting a plurality of cells each having a coverage area of a corresponding antenna of the plurality of antennas; and
to provide a common broadcast carrier to all antennas of the plurality of antennas when in the non-sectorised mode thereby supporting a single cell having a coverage area corresponding to a combined coverage area of the plurality of antennas. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of operation for a base station arrangement of a cellular communication system, the base station arrangement comprising a plurality of antennas with each antenna having a different coverage area, the method comprising:
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operating in a sectorised mode wherein an individual broadcast control carrier is provided to each antenna of the plurality of antennas thereby supporting a plurality of cells each having a coverage area of a corresponding antenna of the plurality of antennas; operating in a non-sectorised mode wherein a common broadcast carrier is provided to all antennas of the plurality of antennas thereby supporting a single cell having a coverage area corresponding to a combined coverage area of the plurality of antennas; and switching between the sectorised mode and the non-sectorised mode.
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Specification