Abstract: The present invention relates to antennas. One of the problems which arises during the operation of a linear array antenna with electrical downtilt is that cross-polar radiation currents are generated. These cross-polar radiation currents, if at the same frequency as the operating band of the antenna, interfere with the required gain of the antenna. The present invention provides a solution to cross-polar radiation currents with an antenna assembly comprising first and second apertured ground planes with an antenna probe feed network printed upon a dielectric substrate supported therebetween, the array of radiating elements having different phase input feeds, wherein an outwardly extending ground plane flange extends from one of the apertured ground planes. There is also provided a method of receiving and transmitting signals by means of a layered antenna of this construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radio communications antennas and in particular relates to an antenna for such. An inverted E antenna is disclosed comprising a radiating element and a ground plane. The antenna is suitable for placement in a mobile communications handset. The antenna finds particular applicability in dual mode handsets, where two or more antennas may be located in close proximity. The small dimensions of the antenna relative to the operating wavelength, achieved by folding back an element of the antenna provides a simple solution to such problems as antenna coupling since its small size allows it to be placed as far away as possible within the small confines of a radio communications handset. A method of operating a mobile communications arrangement is also disclosed, the arrangement comprising a microphone, an audio speaker, a transceiver, and an antenna; wherein the antenna is in the form of an inverted E.

Abstract: A base station arrangement for a cellular radio system comprising an antenna array, is disclosed. The downlink signals transmitted from antennas have a spacing which is scaled in proportion to the transmitted and received wavelengths. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a linear antenna array comprising a number of antenna elements and a feed network, wherein the feed network is operable to apply the cumulative effect of a progressive phase shift across the antenna elements of the array and a stepped complex operator shift to selected groups of antenna elements of the array, whereby a down tilted and null-free coverage by a resulting radiation pattern can thereby be provided. The complex operator can be phase, amplitude or a combination of both. The antenna array can be a layered antenna and the phase shifts in the feed network can be provided by differing length transmission paths, whilst any amplitude shift can be provided by unequal power dividers. In order to provide no down tilt and just null fill-in, then the progressive phase shift can be specified to be zero.

Abstract: A communications antenna assembly is disclosed, suitable for use in fixed antenna multiple access systems, such as fixed wireless access schemes and satellite communication systems. Such systems have independent base station transmitters which, in the case of fixed wireless access schemes, may be subject to over capacity and/or obstructions between the subscriber and the base station and, in the case of non-geostationary satellite communication systems continuously move. The antenna is operable to communicate with at least one of two communication stations at each of two directions from the antenna assembly, said assembly comprising: a beamformer connected to the antenna and arranged to allow the antenna to provide at least two antenna beams, one substantially in each of the communication station directions are provided substantially simultaneously, such that in use the antenna assembly can communicate with the two communication stations. A corresponding system and method of use is also described.

Abstract: A base station arrangement including an antenna array is disclosed, wherein the uplink signals are weighted with complex array weights and the downlink signals are steered, wherein the downlink signals are steered using data from directional information derived from the uplink signals. A method of operation is also disclosed.