Abstract: Receiving apparatus, for receiving a transmission signal in a cellular mobile communications system, comprises a main beamformer (6M, 14M) which processes received signals, representing the said transmission signal, in accordance with a main beam pattern. This main beam pattern is determined by beam control information applied to the main beamformer. The main beam pattern is adjusted as necessary during use of the receiving apparatus to facilitate reception of the said transmission signal. The apparatus also has three assistant beamformers (6A1, 14A2; 6A2, 14A2; 6A3, 14A3) that, in an initial operating phase of the apparatus, process such received signals in accordance with three different assistant beam patterns. Each such pattern is determined by beam control information (W1–W33) corresponding individually thereto. The three assistant beamformers produce output signals (OA1, OA2, OA3) corresponding respectively to the different assistant beam patterns.

Abstract: A cellular mobile communications network includes a base station controller and an array of base transceiver stations. Each base transceiver station has a communications path connecting it to the base station controller such that when an uplink signal is received from a mobile station of the network by a plurality of the base transceiver stations of the array, each base transceiver station can transfer the received uplink signal via its communications path to the base station controller. The communications paths are assessed according to predetermined characteristics, and based on this assessment, at least one base transceiver station of the plurality is prevented from transferring the received uplink signal to the base station controller.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of receiving a transmission signal, suitable for use in a cellular mobile communications system, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a beam former (50) for receiving signals from a plurality of antenna elements, which received signals represent the transmission signal, and for modifying the received signals in accordance with a receiver beam pattern defined by control information input to the beam former (50). The apparatus also comprises estimating means (54) for producing an estimate of desired control information by combining predetermined data in the received signals with a replica of the predetermined data. The estimate of desired control information may be used to set the control information input to the beam former (50).

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of receiving a transmission signal, suitable for use in a cellular mobile communications system, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a beam former (50) for receiving signals from a plurality of antenna elements, which received signals represent the transmission signal, and for modifying the received signals in accordance with a receiver beam pattern defined by control information input to the beam former (50). The apparatus also comprises estimating means (54) for producing an estimate of desired control information by combining predetermined data in the received signals with a replica of the predetermined data. The estimate of desired control information may be used to set the control information input to the beam former (50).

Abstract: Cell selection techniques for use in cellular communications systems are disclosed. A decision as to whether to use a cell for data transmission is made in dependence on a measure of a congestion level in the cell. The decision may either be part of a cell selection decision, or used to override a cell selection decision. The techniques may be used in fast cell site selection.