Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A network of transmitting units for providing broadcast signal coverage of a plurality of contiguous reception areas (4,5,6,etc.), each defined by a respective transmitting unit situated at a site (B,C,E,etc.) within the reception area, each transmitting unit comprising two or more directional antennas, the network being characterised in that, to minimise interference at a point (D) which lies in line with and beyond adjacent sites (E,G) in the network, antennas (F2), one from each of the two sites (E,G), which potentially cause said interference, are directed respectively more (E) and less (G) towards said point (D).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A network of transmitting units for providing broadcast signal coverage of a plurality of contiguous reception areas (4,5,6,etc.), each defined by a respective transmitting unit situated at a site (B,C,E,etc.) within the reception area, each transmitting unit comprising two or more directional antennas, the network being characterised in that, to minimise interference at a point (D) which lies in line with and beyond adjacent sites (E,G) in the network, antennas (F2), one from each of the two sites (E,G), which potentially cause said interference, are directed respectively more (E) and less (G) towards said point (D).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
A network according to Claim 1, wherein each reception area is defined by the beams of said two or more antennas, the common boundaries (10′,20′,etc.) between adjacent beams being at least partly radial, each transmitting unit being so adapted that its transmissions (F1,F2) of the broadcast signal in adjacent beams can be distinguished by a receiver located on one of said common boundaries, the network being characterised in that corresponding said boundaries (20′) at adjacent sites (E,G) on a line (20) through a plurality of said sites (B,E,G,etc.) lie on alternate sides of said line (20).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A network according to Claim 2, wherein said transmitting unit comprises two said antennas, each antenna having a beam angle of 180 degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A network according to Claim 2, wherein said transmitting unit comprises four said antennas, each antenna having a beam angle of 90 degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A network according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein said corresponding boundaries at adjacent sites on said line deviate from said line by a common angle (α), but in opposite directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A network according to Claim 5, as appendent to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said common angle (α) lies substantially in the range 15 to 25 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A network according to any preceding claim, wherein each said transmitting unit is adapted to transmit said signal on different frequencies (F1,F2) to permit discrimination between its transmissions in any two adjacent beams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A network according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each said transmitting unit is adapted to transmit said signal with different polarisations (F1,F2) to permit discrimination between its transmissions in any two adjacent beams.