Patent US6600456B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6600456B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Adaptive antenna for use in wireless communication systems
Assignee: IPR Licensing Inc
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Filing: 2001-05-16
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Granted: 2003-07-29
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Expires: 2021-05-16
Abstract
Abstract An antenna apparatus which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system. The antenna operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit and provides a plurality of antenna elements. At least one active antenna element is active and essentially centrally located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components. Through proper control of the passive antenna elements, the cellular communication system directs an antenna beam pattern toward an antenna tower of a base station to maximize gain, and, consequently, signal-to-noise ratio. Thus, optimum reception is achieved during, for example, an idle mode which receives a pilot signal. The antenna array creates a beamformer for signals to be transmitted from the mobile subscriber unit, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference. Various techniques for determining the proper phase of each antenna element are accommodated.
Inventors
- 👤 Griffin K. Gothard
- 👤 Alton S. Keel, Jr.
- 👤 Christopher A. Snyder
- 👤 Bing Chiang
- 👤 Joe T. Richeson
- 👤 Douglas H. Wood
- 👤 James A. Proctor, Jr.
- 👤 Kenneth M. Gainey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/44; H01Q3/446; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/22; H01Q1/24; H01Q1/241; H01Q1/246; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/2605
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An antenna apparatus for use with a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system, the antenna apparatus comprising: at least one active antenna element; a plurality of passive antenna elements within an electromagnetic coupling distance of said at least one active antenna element; a like plurality of selectable impedance components, each (i) respectively electrically coupled to one of the passive antenna elements and (ii) independently selectable; and a processor coupled to the selectable impedance components (a) to affect the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals to be communicated between a base station and the subscriber unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be positionally directed between the base station and subscriber unit and (b) to determine an essentially optimal impedance setting during an idle time based on a signal sent to the subscriber unit received during the idle time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An antenna apparatus for use with a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system, the antenna apparatus comprising: at least one active antenna element; a plurality of passive antenna elements within an electromagnetic coupling distance of said at least one active antenna element; a like plurality of selectable impedance components, each (i) respectively electrically coupled to one of the passive antenna elements and (ii) independently selectable; and a processor coupled to the selectable impedance components (a) to affect the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals to be communicated between a base station and the subscriber unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be positionally directed between the base station and subscriber unit and (b) to determine an essentially optimal impedance setting during an idle time based on a signal sent to the subscriber unit received during the idle time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements such that upon transmission of reverse link signals from the subscriber unit, a directional reverse link signal beam is formed via said active and passive antenna elements to reduce emission in a direction of other receivers not intended to receive the reverse link signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting (i) corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements and (ii) is set for each of the passive antenna elements such that a signal power to interference ratio is maximized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting (i) corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements and (ii) is set for each of the passive antenna elements such that a bit error rate is minimized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements such that upon reception of a forward link signal at the subscriber unit, a directional receiving antenna is created from the active and passive antenna elements (i) to detect a forward link signal pattern sent from the direction of an intended transmitter and (ii) to suppress detection of a signal pattern received from a direction other than the direction of the intended transmitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the selectable impedance components are independently selectable to affect the phase of respective forward link signals received at the subscriber unit at each of the antenna elements to provide rejection of signals that are received and that are not transmitted from the same direction as are the base station which transmits the forward link signals intended for the subscriber unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , used in a wireless communication system in which multiple subscriber units transmit code division multiple access signals on a common carrier frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the code division multiple access signals are transmitted within a cell from among multiple cells in the system, each cell containing a base station and a plurality of mobile units, each mobile unit attached to an antenna apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The antenna apparatus of claim 1 , composing a system for providing wireless communications among a plurality of subscribers using spread spectrum signaling for transmission of a plurality of desired traffic signals from a subscriber unit to a base station unit on a common carrier frequency within a defined transmission region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least one active antenna element is tunable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said at least one active antenna element is telescoping in length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said at least one active antenna element is tunable by adding extra width.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the passive antenna elements are manually tunable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the passive antenna elements are telescoping in length for tuning.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the passive antenna elements are tunable by adding extra width.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said at least one active antenna element is manually tunable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the selectable impedance components include at least one switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the switch couples at least one impedance medium to the respective passive antenna element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the impedance medium is a delay line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the impedance medium is a lumped impedance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the lumped impedance includes at least one of the following impedance components: a capacitor or an inductor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the impedance medium includes a delay line and a lumped impedance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the switch is a single-pole, double-throw switch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the switch is a single-pole, multi-throw switch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the switch provides the impedance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the selectable impedance components provide infinite impedance granularity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the selectable impedance components are varactors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the passive antenna elements are (i) mechanically attached to a circuit board having a single ground plane layer and (ii) electrically coupled to that ground plane layer via respective selectable impedance components.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the signal received during the idle time is a signal continuously sent from base station.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the signal received during the idle time is a pilot signal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for use with a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: providing an RF signal to or receiving one from an antenna assemblage having at least one active antenna element and multiple passive antenna elements electromagnetically coupled to said at least one active antenna element; selecting an impedance state of independently selectable impedance components electrically coupled to respective passive antenna elements in the antenna assemblage affecting the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals communicated between a base station and the subscriber unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be communicated between the base station and the subscriber unit; and determining an essentially optimal impedance setting during an idle time based on a signal sent to the subscriber unit received during the idle time.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for use with a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: providing an RF signal to or receiving one from an antenna assemblage having at least one active antenna element and multiple passive antenna elements electromagnetically coupled to said at least one active antenna element; selecting an impedance state of independently selectable impedance components electrically coupled to respective passive antenna elements in the antenna assemblage affecting the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals communicated between a base station and the subscriber unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be communicated between the base station and the subscriber unit; and determining an essentially optimal impedance setting during an idle time based on a signal sent to the subscriber unit received during the idle time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements and further including transmitting reverse link signals from the subscriber unit, a directional reverse link signal beam being formed via said active and passive antenna elements to reduce emission in a direction of other receivers not intended to receive the reverse link signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements and further including setting the essentially optimal impedance setting for each of the antenna elements such that signal power to interference ratio is maximized.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements and further including setting the essentially optimal impedance setting for each of the antenna elements such that a bit error rate is minimized.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the essentially optimal impedance setting corresponds to an essentially optimal phase setting for each of the passive antenna elements and further including receiving a forward link signal at the subscriber unit, a directional receiving antenna being created from the active and passive antenna elements (i) to detect a forward link signal pattern sent from the direction of an intended transmitter and (ii) to suppress detection of a signal pattern received from a direction other than the direction of the intended transmitter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the selectable impedance components are independently selectable to affect the phase of respective forward link signals received at the subscriber unit at each of the antenna elements to provide rejection of signals that are received and that are not transmitted from the same direction as are the base station which transmits the forward link signals intended for the subscriber unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 , used in a wireless communication system in which multiple subscriber units transmit code division multiple access signals on a common carrier frequency.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 37 , further including transmitting the code division multiple access signals within a cell from among multiple cells in the system, each cell containing a base station and a plurality of mobile units, each mobile unit attached to an antenna apparatus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 31 , used in a wireless communication system supporting a plurality of subscribers using spread spectrum signaling for transmission of a plurality of desired traffic signals from a subscriber unit to a base station unit on a common carrier frequency within a defined transmission region.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein selecting an impedance state of selectable impedance components produces an omni-directional beam.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein selecting an impedance state of selectable impedance components produces a beam in a direction from among at least 2N beam directions, where N is equal to the number of passive antenna elements.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 , further including tuning said at least one active antenna element.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31 , further including supporting manually tuning the passive antenna elements.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein selecting an impedance state of selectable impedance components includes operating a switch.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein operating the switch couples at least one impedance medium to the respective passive antenna element.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the signal received during the idle time is a signal continuously sent from base station.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the signal received during the idle time is a pilot signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
145 words
An antenna apparatus for use with a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system, the antenna apparatus comprising: providing an RF signal to or receiving one from an antenna assemblage having at least one active antenna element and multiple passive antenna elements electromagnetically coupled to said at least one active antenna element; means for selecting an impedance state of independently selectable impedance components electrically coupled to respective passive antenna elements in the antenna assemblage; means for affecting the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals communicated between a base station and the subscriber unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be communicated between the base station and the subscriber unit; and means for determining an essentially optimal impedance setting during an idle time based on a signal sent to the subscriber unit received during the idle time.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
145 words
An antenna apparatus for use with a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system, the antenna apparatus comprising: providing an RF signal to or receiving one from an antenna assemblage having at least one active antenna element and multiple passive antenna elements electromagnetically coupled to said at least one active antenna element; means for selecting an impedance state of independently selectable impedance components electrically coupled to respective passive antenna elements in the antenna assemblage; means for affecting the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals communicated between a base station and the subscriber unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be communicated between the base station and the subscriber unit; and means for determining an essentially optimal impedance setting during an idle time based on a signal sent to the subscriber unit received during the idle time.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 48 , wherein the signal received during the idle time is a signal continuously sent from base station.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 48 , wherein the signal received during the idle time is a pilot signal.
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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) | 2006-07-28 | 2007-01-27 | 2007-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-28 | 2011-01-27 | 2011-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-28 | 2015-01-27 | 2015-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |