Abstract: A method of obtaining information for use in a smart antenna system is provided. The method includes monitoring an interface between a base station controller and a base station transceiver to receive signaling information being communicated via the interface. The method further includes extracting from the signaling information a subset of the signaling information operable to be used as input for selecting one or more of a plurality of beams for wireless communications.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a smart antenna apparatus with a base station transceiver includes receiving at the smart antenna apparatus control signals being communicated from a base station transceiver to one or more mobile stations via an antenna unit. The control signals are operable to be used to synchronize the mobile stations with the base station transceiver. The method further includes executing one or more algorithms using the control signals received by the smart antenna apparatus as input to synchronize the smart antenna apparatus with the base station transceiver.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information for use in a smart antenna system is provided. The method includes monitoring an interface between a base station controller and a base station transceiver to receive signaling information being communicated via the interface. The method further includes extracting from the signaling information a subset of the signaling information operable to be used as input for selecting one or more of a plurality of beams for wireless communications.

Abstract: A method of beam selection in a smart antenna system is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of uplink beams by a plurality of receivers, each corresponding with one of the plurality of uplink beams. Each uplink beam includes signals transmitted by a mobile station. The method further includes analyzing each of the plurality of uplink beams and selecting an uplink beam from the plurality of uplink beams based at least in part on the analysis of the uplink beams. The method further includes switching to the selected beam in real time to allow the signals communicated in the selected beam to be communicated to a base station transceiver.