Base station antenna arrangement

Claim 1

An antenna comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each 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; means for recognizing unique identifier signals incorporated in call signals passing through the antenna; and coherent detection means for discriminating between unwanted call signals and wanted call signals using said unique identifier signals.

Claim 11

A method of operating a non-sectorized base-station arrangement comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array; azimuth beam forming 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; means for recognizing unique identifier signals incorporated in call signals passing through the antenna; and coherent detection means for discriminating between unwanted call signals and wanted call signals using said unique identifier signals, wherein the method includes the following steps: for a given signal received, determining the unique identifier signals to determine whether or not the incoming signal is from a mobile within the cell and, if affirmative, selecting the best beam on the uplink by measuring the quality of the received signal strength from the mobile; selecting the antenna which would provide the best beam for a given channel on the downlink; transmitting a signal from a transceiver, through a transmit switch matrix and through the selected antenna, to the mobile.

Claim 12

A method of operating a non-sectorized base-station arrangement comprising: a plurality of layered antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array; azimuth beam forming 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; means for recognizing unique identifier signals incorporated in call signals passing through the antenna; and coherent detection means for discriminating between unwanted call signals and wanted call signals using said unique identifier signals, wherein the method includes the following steps: for a given signal received, determining the unique identifier signals to determine whether or not the incoming signal is from a mobile within the cell and, if affirmative, selecting the best beam on the uplink by measuring the quality of the received signal strength from the mobile; selecting the antenna which would provide the best beam for a given channel on the downlink; transmitting a signal from a transceiver, through a transmit switch matrix and through the selected antenna, to the mobile.