Using antenna arrays to produce omni-directional transmissions

• US 8,666,333 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Zangi, Kambiz
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US11/275,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,004 Days
• Field of Search: 455/63.4, 455/13.3, 455/25, 455/69, 455/121, 455/522, 455/501, 455/63.1, 455/101, 455/91, 455/575.7
• US Class Current: 455/101
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/34 by electrical means active lenses or reflecting arrays H01Q3/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/02 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/42 in systems with time, space, frequency or polarisation diversity

Abstract

Diversity arrays of antenna elements and phased arrays of antenna elements can be used to produce omni-directional transmissions. Communication signaling is produced based on a desired communication signal that is to be transmitted omni-directionally. In response to the communication signaling, the antenna elements cooperate to effect approximately omni-directional antenna transmission of the desired communication signal.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus, comprising:

a diversity array of M antenna elements;

a drive arrangement coupled to said diversity array for producing communication signaling based on a desired communication signal that is to be transmitted omni-directionally, said M antenna elements cooperable in response to said communication signaling to effect approximately omni-directional antenna transmission of said desired communication signal;

wherein said drive arrangement includes M antenna paths respectively coupled to said M antenna elements, each of said M antenna paths comprising a signal combiner;

wherein each of said M signal combiners receive a common input signal that corresponds to said desired signal;

wherein each of said M signal combiners multiplies a predetermined amount of amplification with said corresponding common input signal, and wherein the predetermined amount of amplification is dependent on a number of said M antenna elements in said diversity array; and

wherein the predetermined amount of amplification is

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna elements transmit with approximately equal power during said approximately omni-directional antenna transmission.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said M signal combiners applies an amount of amplification to said common input signal that is approximately equal to an amount of amplification applied to said common input signal by each of a remainder of said M signal amplifiers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, provided as a fixed-site apparatus.

5. A method of operating a diversity array of M antenna elements, comprising:

providing the diversity array of M antenna elements;

providing a drive arrangement coupled to said diversity array for producing communication signaling based on a desired communication signal that is to be transmitted omni-directionally using said diversity array, wherein said drive arrangement includes M antenna paths respectively coupled to said M antenna elements, each of said M antenna paths comprising a signal combiner, and wherein each of said M signal combiners receive a common input signal that corresponds to said desired signal; and

using said communication signaling in combination with cooperation among said M antenna elements to effect approximately omni-directional antenna transmission of said desired communication signal by having each of said M signal combiners multiply a predetermined amount of amplification with said corresponding common input signal, and wherein the predetermined amount of amplification is dependent on a number of said M antenna elements in said diversity array; and

wherein the predetermined amount of amplification is