US6150987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antenna assembly
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1996-12-02
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2016-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An antenna assembly for a communications network is disclosed, the assembly comprising an antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan and thereby determine a communications link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communications antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations. Control means are provided which are operable to receive data from the antenna when operating in a scanning mode, to determine which base station should be used for future data communication and can move the orientation of the antenna such that it is operable to communicate with selected one of the base stations. A method of operation is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey Charles Sole
- 👤 Simon John Gale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/10; H04W84/14; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/02; H01Q3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber antenna assembly, the antenna assembly comprising a directional antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan in azimuth and thereby determine a communication link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communication antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber antenna assembly, the antenna assembly comprising a directional antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan in azimuth and thereby determine a communication link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communication antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is mounted on a movable platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is an adaptive antenna which is operable to effect electrical steering of the beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein separate antennas are provided to perform the scanning function and data communication function separately.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to 1, wherein the antenna or antennas are mounted on the support whereby the antenna or antennas are pivotable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to 1, wherein the antenna or antennas are mounted on the support whereby the antenna or antennas are pivotable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the antenna or antennas are mounted on a support whereby the antenna or antennas are pivotable, wherein the antenna or antennas are rotatable by means of an electric motor and the antenna is movable upon the rotatable support under the control of a control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises part of a wireless local loop arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises part of a broad band multi media telecommunications system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber antenna assembly comprising a directional antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan in azimuth and thereby determine a communication link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communication antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations, wherein the assembly further comprises control means, wherein the control means are operable to receive data from the antenna when operating in a scanning mode, determine which base station should be used for future data communication and move the orientation of the antenna such that the antenna is operable to communicate with selected one of the base stations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber antenna assembly comprising a directional antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan in azimuth and thereby determine a communication link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communication antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations, wherein the assembly further comprises control means, wherein the control means are operable to receive data from the antenna when operating in a scanning mode, determine which base station should be used for future data communication and move the orientation of the antenna such that the antenna is operable to communicate with selected one of the base stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein the antenna is mounted on a movable platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein the antenna is an adaptive antenna which is operable to effect electrical steering of the beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein separate antennas are provided to perform the scanning function and data communication function separately.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to 9, wherein the antenna or antennas are mounted on the support whereby the antenna or antennas are pivotable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to 9, wherein the antenna or antennas are mounted on the support whereby the antenna or antennas are pivotable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein the antenna or antennas are mounted on the support whereby the antenna or antennas are pivotable, wherein the antenna or antennas are rotatable by means of an electric motor and the antenna is movable upon the rotatable support under the control of the control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein the assembly comprises part of a wireless local loop arrangement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The subscriber antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein the assembly comprises part of a broad band multi media telecommunications system.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of operating a subscriber antenna assembly in a wireless local loop system, using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber antenna assembly, the antenna assembly comprising a directional antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan in azimuth and thereby determine a communication link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communication antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations, the method comprising the following steps: operating an antenna in the scanning mode in azimuth; determining the angular orientation required to achieve an optimal orientation of the antenna with respect to a base station antenna; adjusting the orientation of the antenna whereby effective communication is established with a base station.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of operating a subscriber antenna assembly in a wireless local loop system, using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber antenna assembly, the antenna assembly comprising a directional antenna which is operable in different modes of operation; wherein, in a first mode, the antenna is operable as a scanning antenna to scan in azimuth and thereby determine a communication link with a selected one of a plurality of base stations and in a second mode is operable as a communication antenna to communicate with the selected one of the plurality of base stations, the method comprising the following steps: operating an antenna in the scanning mode in azimuth; determining the angular orientation required to achieve an optimal orientation of the antenna with respect to a base station antenna; adjusting the orientation of the antenna whereby effective communication is established with a base station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of operating a subscriber antenna arrangement as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of monitoring the signal quality of the communication link whereby an optimal link with a base station can be maintained.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of monitoring the signal quality of the communication link whereby an optimal link with a base station can be maintained, wherein the antenna operates in a scan mode on a regular basis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of monitoring the signal quality of the communication link whereby an optimal link with a base station can be maintained, wherein the base station transmits a pilot signal to facilitate the maintenance of signal quality.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 17, wherein the antenna operates in a scan mode immediately after the termination of a transmission during which the signal quality was poor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber terminal, said terminal comprising a directional antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, and an antenna controller coupled to the transceiver and the antenna, wherein the antenna is operable by the controller in a first mode to scan in azimuth the broadcast signals of the base stations and thereby identify one of the plurality of base stations and is operable by the controller in a second mode as a communication antenna to provide a communication link between the subscriber and the network via said selected base station.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, a subscriber terminal, said terminal comprising a directional antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, and an antenna controller coupled to the transceiver and the antenna, wherein the antenna is operable by the controller in a first mode to scan in azimuth the broadcast signals of the base stations and thereby identify one of the plurality of base stations and is operable by the controller in a second mode as a communication antenna to provide a communication link between the subscriber and the network via said selected base station.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The terminal as claimed in claim 22, wherein, in the first mode, the terminal identifies each of the plurality of base stations, and in the second mode the communication link is provided between the subscriber and the network via a base station identified as one providing the strongest received signal.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of operating a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, said subscriber terminals comprising an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, and an antenna controller coupled to the transceiver and the antenna, said method comprising the following steps: in a first mode causing the controller to control the antenna whereby the antenna scans in azimuth the broadcast signals of the base stations, and identifies one of the plurality of base stations, and then, operating the antenna in a second mode as a communication antenna, providing a communication link between the subscriber and the network via said identified base station.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of operating a fixed wireless communication system using multiple access techniques, comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a known transmission network and a plurality of subscriber stations, the base stations and subscriber stations transmitting signals solely by wireless means, said subscriber terminals comprising an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, and an antenna controller coupled to the transceiver and the antenna, said method comprising the following steps: in a first mode causing the controller to control the antenna whereby the antenna scans in azimuth the broadcast signals of the base stations, and identifies one of the plurality of base stations, and then, operating the antenna in a second mode as a communication antenna, providing a communication link between the subscriber and the network via said identified base station.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as claimed in claim 24, including repeating the first mode of operation at intervals to check the quality of the link and, if necessary, provide a communication link between the subscriber and the network via a different one of said plurality of base stations.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 24 including the step of downloading to the network controller the identity of one or more of the base stations identified by the subscriber terminal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 25 including the step of downloading to the network controller the identity of one or more of the base stations identified by the subscriber terminal.
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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) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |