US5565873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Base station antenna arrangement
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1995-05-16
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2015-05-16
Abstract
Abstract An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means are provided for operating (FIG. 12a, FIG. 12b) two or more non-collocated narrow beamwidth antenna arrays to form jointly a broad beamwidth antenna radiation pattern wherein the time averaged antenna pattern is substantially null free.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart J. Dean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W16/00; H04W16/24; H04W16/28; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/22; H01Q1/24; H01Q1/241; H01Q1/246; H01Q25/00; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/02; H04B7/04; H04B7/0408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An antenna for a cellular radio base station, the antenna comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being formed of a plurality of vertically arranged linear antenna arrays placed in a parallel side by side relationship to form a two dimensional array, the two dimensional arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than that provided by each vertical array, azimuth beamforming means for each array; a plurality of r.f. transceivers each for transmitting and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls; switching matrix means for connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via the beamforming means; and control means for controlling the switch matrix means whereby a particular transceiver is connected to a particular array, via the beamforming means, to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by the antenna, wherein means are provided for operating two or more non-collocated narrow beamwidth antenna arrays to form jointly a broad beamwidth antenna radiation pattern wherein the time averaged antenna pattern is substantially null free.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An antenna for a cellular radio base station, the antenna comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being formed of a plurality of vertically arranged linear antenna arrays placed in a parallel side by side relationship to form a two dimensional array, the two dimensional arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than that provided by each vertical array, azimuth beamforming means for each array; a plurality of r.f. transceivers each for transmitting and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls; switching matrix means for connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via the beamforming means; and control means for controlling the switch matrix means whereby a particular transceiver is connected to a particular array, via the beamforming means, to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by the antenna, wherein means are provided for operating two or more non-collocated narrow beamwidth antenna arrays to form jointly a broad beamwidth antenna radiation pattern wherein the time averaged antenna pattern is substantially null free.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An antenna arrangement according to claim 1 wherein phase adjusting means are provided for adjacent antenna arrays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An antenna arrangement according to claim 1 wherein phase adjusting means are provided for adjacent antenna arrays, which phase adjusting means can be adjusted independently.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of operating an antenna for a cellular radio base station, the antenna comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being formed of a plurality of vertically arranged linear antenna arrays placed in a parallel side by side relationship to form a two dimensional array, the two dimension arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than that provided by each vertical array, azimuth beamforming means for each array; a plurality of r.f. transceivers; and switching matrix means; the method comprising the steps of: generating and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls via the plurality of r.f. transceivers; connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via the switching means and beamforming means; and controlling the switching matrix means and beamforming means whereby a particular transceiver is connected to two or more antenna arrays to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by the antenna, wherein a broad beamwidth antenna radiation pattern is formed, the time averaged antenna pattern of which is substantially null free.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of operating an antenna for a cellular radio base station, the antenna comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being formed of a plurality of vertically arranged linear antenna arrays placed in a parallel side by side relationship to form a two dimensional array, the two dimension arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than that provided by each vertical array, azimuth beamforming means for each array; a plurality of r.f. transceivers; and switching matrix means; the method comprising the steps of: generating and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls via the plurality of r.f. transceivers; connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via the switching means and beamforming means; and controlling the switching matrix means and beamforming means whereby a particular transceiver is connected to two or more antenna arrays to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by the antenna, wherein a broad beamwidth antenna radiation pattern is formed, the time averaged antenna pattern of which is substantially null free.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |