Method and apparatus for directional radio communication

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second beam directions are used for a predetermined plurality of consecutive signals transmitted from said first station.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the determined direction from which each of the sequential data bursts is received is defined as the beam direction from which the strongest signal is received.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the determined direction from which each of the sequential data bursts is received is defined as the beam direction from which the signal following the shortest path is received.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 1 , including the step of monitoring a distance parameter representative of the distance between said first and second stations, wherein if the distance between said first and second stations is less than a predetermined value, the signals transmitted to said second station are transmitted with a relatively wide angular spread, regardless of the directions from which said two signals are received.

Claim 7

A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein if the distance between said first and second stations is less than said predetermined value, the signals are transmitted to said second station with a relatively low power level and if the distance is greater than said predetermined value, the signal is transmitted with a higher power level.

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said network is a cellular communications network and said first station is a base transceiver station.

Claim 9

A first station for directional radio communication in a mobile communication network with a second mobile station, said first station comprising: circuitry for identifying consecutive bursts of communication data transmitted from said second station; circuitry for determining from a plurality of adjacent beam directions respective beam directions from which sequential communication data bursts are received by said first station; a transmitter for transmitting signals to said second station; a controller for selecting one or more of said beam directions for transmission of signals from the first station to the second station such that when it is determined that the sequential communication data bursts are received by the first station from two different beam directions, said controller is arranged to simultaneously select said two different beam directions for the transmission of signals by said transmitter and when said two different beam directions are not adjacent, to control the transmitter to transmit communication data in both of said different beam directions and additionally in the intervening beam directions.

Claim 10

A first station for directional radio communication in a mobile communication network with a second mobile station, said first station comprising: circuitry for identifying consecutive bursts of communication data transmitted from said second station; circuitry for determining from a plurality of adjacent beam directions respective beam directions from which sequential communication data bursts are received by said first station; a transmitter for transmitting signals to said second station; a controller for selecting one or more of said beam directions for transmission of signals from the first station to the second station such that when it is determined that the sequential communication data bursts are received by the first station from two different beam directions, said controller is arranged to simultaneously select said two different beam directions for the transmission of signals by said transmitter and when said two different beam directions are not adjacent, to control the transmitter to transmit communication data in both of said different beam directions and additionally in the intervening beam directions.

Claim 11

A first station as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said controller is arranged to monitor a distance parameter representative of the distance between said first and second stations such that if the distance between said first and second stations is less than a predetermined value, the signals are transmitted with a relatively wide angular spread, regardless of the directions from which said two signals are received.

Claim 12

A first station claimed in claim 8 , wherein said controller is arranged to control the said transmitter to transmit a predetermined plurality of consecutive signals in said first and second beam directions.