Patent US6104935A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6104935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Down link beam forming architecture for heavily overlapped beam configuration
Assignee: Nortel Networks Technology Corp
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Filing: 1997-05-05
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Granted: 2000-08-15
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Expires: 2017-05-05
Abstract
Abstract An antenna beam forming for generating a plurality of broad overlapping radiation beams for a cellular radio application comprises an antenna array having a plurality of individual antenna elements, each individual antenna element connected by a cable to a respective diplexor, each diplexor fed by a multi-channel power amplifier receiving an input from an output port of an eight way Butler matrix. Transmission signals are input to seven input ports of the Butler matrix, and output transmission signals are produced at four of the output ports of the Butler matrix. A remaining four output ports are each terminated with a respective matched load. A 3 dB power loss incurred in the Butler matrix is compensated by provision of a plurality of pre-amplifiers prior to the input ports of the Butler matrix, with the power amplification stage being carried out on the outputs of the Butler matrix. Side lobe suppression is maintained by ensuring phase and amplitude integrity across the output channels. A set of phase and amplitude adjusters operate on the output transmission signals from the Butler matrix output ports. The phase and amplitude adjusters may be electronically controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Stevens Smith
- 👤 Andrew William Jeffries
- 👤 Christopher Robert Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:24
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; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/267; H01Q3/30; H01Q3/34; H01Q3/40; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An antenna arrangement for a cellular wireless communication system, said arrangement comprising: an antenna array for forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping radio frequency radiation beams, said array having a plurality of individual radiating antenna elements each having a wide angle coverage; a beam forming means producing a beam formed output signal, each said beam comprising a number of separate channels; and a plurality of power amplifiers positioned between said beam forming means and said antenna array, each said power amplifier receiving an input from said beam forming means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An antenna arrangement for a cellular wireless communication system, said arrangement comprising: an antenna array for forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping radio frequency radiation beams, said array having a plurality of individual radiating antenna elements each having a wide angle coverage; a beam forming means producing a beam formed output signal, each said beam comprising a number of separate channels; and a plurality of power amplifiers positioned between said beam forming means and said antenna array, each said power amplifier receiving an input from said beam forming means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna array comprises a plurality of individual radiating antenna elements in a single aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein a separate said power amplifier is provided per each antenna element of said antenna array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power amplifiers comprise multi-channel power amplifiers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of phase calibration means arranged for phase calibration of signals at a position between said beam forming means and said antenna array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 4, comprising automated adjustment means for automatically controlling said phase calibration means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of amplitude calibration means arranged for amplitude calibration of signals at a position between said beam forming means and said antenna array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 7, comprising automated adjustment means for automatically controlling said amplitude calibration means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, operable to produce a plurality of overlapping beams.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, operable to produce a plurality of non-orthogonal beams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said beam forming means comprises a matrix having a first plurality of signal input ports and a second plurality of signal output ports, wherein a number of said output ports feeding signals to said power amplifiers is less than a number of said input ports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna array; said plurality of radio frequency transceivers; said beam forming means; and said plurality of power amplifiers are selected such as to give a root mean square phase variation across said antenna array of within 20 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna array; said plurality of radio frequency transceivers; said beam forming matrix; and said plurality of power amplifiers are selected such as to obtain and amplitude variation of signals across said antenna array of within 3 dB.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of forming a multiplicity of overlapping beams using a multi-element antenna array, each said element having a wide angle coverage and each said beam comprising a number of separate channels, said method comprising the steps of: inputting a first plurality of transmission signals into a beam forming means; outputting a second plurality of transmission signals from said beam forming means; inputting said second plurality of transmission signals to a plurality of power amplifiers; amplifying said second plurality of transmission signals to produce a plurality of power amplified transmission signals; and energizing said antenna array with said power amplified transmission signals to produce said multiplicity of overlapping beams.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of forming a multiplicity of overlapping beams using a multi-element antenna array, each said element having a wide angle coverage and each said beam comprising a number of separate channels, said method comprising the steps of: inputting a first plurality of transmission signals into a beam forming means; outputting a second plurality of transmission signals from said beam forming means; inputting said second plurality of transmission signals to a plurality of power amplifiers; amplifying said second plurality of transmission signals to produce a plurality of power amplified transmission signals; and energizing said antenna array with said power amplified transmission signals to produce said multiplicity of overlapping beams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said beams are non-orthogonal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, comprising the step of controlling a respective phase of each of said second plurality of transmission signals prior to said step of amplification.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, comprising the step of controlling a respective amplitude of each of said second plurality of transmission signals prior to said step of amplification.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said beams are spatially fixed beams.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein each said antenna element receives a power amplified transmission signal of a corresponding respective said power amplifier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of said second plurality of transmission signals comprises a plurality of individual communications channels.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
150 words
A beam forming apparatus for a cellular wireless communications system, said apparatus being for forming a multiplicity of overlapping beams wherein each said beam comprises a number of separate channels, said apparatus comprising: an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, each said element having a wide angle coverage; a beam forming matrix having a first plurality of input ports each receiving a corresponding respective input transmission signal, a second plurality of output ports each outputting a corresponding respective output transmission signal; and a plurality of power amplifiers feeding said input transmission signals into said input ports, wherein each said power amplifier feeds a corresponding respective said input port, and each said output port feeds a corresponding antenna element, there being one said power amplifier per each said input port and one antenna element per each said output port, and said first plurality is greater than said second plurality.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
150 words
A beam forming apparatus for a cellular wireless communications system, said apparatus being for forming a multiplicity of overlapping beams wherein each said beam comprises a number of separate channels, said apparatus comprising: an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, each said element having a wide angle coverage; a beam forming matrix having a first plurality of input ports each receiving a corresponding respective input transmission signal, a second plurality of output ports each outputting a corresponding respective output transmission signal; and a plurality of power amplifiers feeding said input transmission signals into said input ports, wherein each said power amplifier feeds a corresponding respective said input port, and each said output port feeds a corresponding antenna element, there being one said power amplifier per each said input port and one antenna element per each said output port, and said first plurality is greater than said second plurality.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a cellular wireless communications apparatus, a method of communicating with a mobile station, said method comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of directional wide angle coverage up-link beams, said up-link beams distinguishable from each-other in azimuth and each comprising a number of separate channels; forming a plurality of directional down-link beams, said down-link beams distinguishable from each-other in azimuth, wherein a said down-link beam occupies an in-fill region in azimuth between adjacent first and second said up-link beams and individual ones of said plurality of down-link beams overlap-spatially regions occupied by individual ones of said up-link beams; receiving from said mobile station first and second mobile signals on said respective first and second said up-link beams; analyzing said first and second mobile signals received on said first and second up-link beams; and depending on a result of said analysis, communicating with said mobile station on said down-link beam occupying said in-fill region.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a cellular wireless communications apparatus, a method of communicating with a mobile station, said method comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of directional wide angle coverage up-link beams, said up-link beams distinguishable from each-other in azimuth and each comprising a number of separate channels; forming a plurality of directional down-link beams, said down-link beams distinguishable from each-other in azimuth, wherein a said down-link beam occupies an in-fill region in azimuth between adjacent first and second said up-link beams and individual ones of said plurality of down-link beams overlap-spatially regions occupied by individual ones of said up-link beams; receiving from said mobile station first and second mobile signals on said respective first and second said up-link beams; analyzing said first and second mobile signals received on said first and second up-link beams; and depending on a result of said analysis, communicating with said mobile station on said down-link beam occupying said in-fill region.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said step of analyzing comprises: comparing a strength of said first mobile signal with a strength of said second mobile signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said plurality of up link beams comprise orthogonal beams.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said plurality of downlink beams comprises non-orthogonal beams.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein individual ones of said plurality of downlink beams occupy in-fill regions between adjacent ones of said plurality of up link beams.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein individual ones of said plurality of downlink beams overlap spatially regions occupied by individual ones of said up link beams.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wide-angle coverage covers a 120° sector of a cell and each said beam extends over an area of at least 17° at its nominal -1 dB contour.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input comprises a number of channels in a TDMA time-slot configuration.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said wide angle coverage covers a 120° sector of a cell and each said beam extends over an arc of at least 17° at its nominal -1 dB contour.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
A beam forming apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said wide angle coverage covers a 120° sector of a cell and each said beam extends over an arc of at least 17° at its nominal -1 dB contour.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said wide angle coverage covers a 120° sector of a cell and each said beam extends over an arc of at least 17° at its nominal -1 dB contour.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-15 | 2004-02-14 | 2004-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-15 | 2008-02-14 | 2008-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-15 | 2012-02-14 | 2012-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |