Abstract: A receiving system 100 is disclosed which includes at least one antenna 101 providing a plurality of antenna beams providing signal diversity between communicated signals. A first processing branch 103 is included for processing a first plurality of signals appearing within a first plurality of the antenna beams. The first processing branch 103 includes a plurality of signal paths, some of which include delays 105, each receiving a one of the first plurality of signals from a corresponding one of the first plurality of antenna beams. Delays 105 apply a predetermined amount of delay proportionate to the corresponding one of the beams. First processing branch 103 further includes a combiner 106 for combining the first plurality of signals after output from the plurality of signal paths. A second processing branch 104 is provided for processing a second plurality of signals appearing within a second plurality of the antenna beams.

Abstract: An omni directional coverage multibeam antenna composed of facets, or antenna modules, that make up a regular polygon of n sides inscribed in a circle of radius r which defines an adjustable composite conical surface. The disclosed antenna modules are independent antenna arrays creating an independent beam. One advantage of such a system is that the radiated wave front associated with such antenna modules is always substantially broadside to the array resulting in limited scan loss effects. Furthermore, the independence of the disclosed antenna modules is important as it allows each module's beam to be either electrically or mechanically steered to affect elevation or azimuthal beam control. Additionally, by employing trapezoidal shaped antenna modules, a minimum radome diameter is achieved that covers this antenna system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing distributed amplification of a plurality of input signals is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention utilizes two substantially different matrixes to dissect an input signal for amplification and subsequent recombination. The unique matrixes disclosed provide for the distributed amplification of any even number of input signals, therefore reducing the number of linear power amplifiers required where a number of input signals other than a power of two are used.

Abstract: An omni directional coverage multibeam antenna relief on a ground surface having simple conical shapes to provide beam steering. One advantage of such a system is that the projected area is always constant and broadside to the intended direction resulting in limited scan loss effects. In the case of a cylinder as the conical shape, z-axis symmetry provides a constant antenna aperture projection in any azimuthal direction. Using this geometry, high level, side lobes are reduced considerably because of the natural aperture tapering from dispersion effects. Coverage area and power can be controlled by changing the ground surface angle and by selectively activating different antenna beam positions around the circumference of the ground surface, and by selectively changing the phase relationship between a given set of antenna beams.

Abstract: A multiple beam antenna array utilizing strategically placed parasitic elements to control side lobe levels is disclosed. Two specific arrangements of such parasitic elements are taught. A first preferred arrangement of parasitic elements provides for their placement between a ground plane and a plane of active antenna elements. An alternative preferred arrangement of parasitic elements provides for their placement both between a ground plane and a plane of active antenna elements, as well as in front of the active antenna elements. Both such embodiments provide improved side lobe control over a similar antenna system without parasitic elements. Moreover, the characteristics of the main lobe are improved by both embodiments.

Abstract: A system and method for providing distributed amplification of a plurality of input signals is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention utilizes two signal path matrixes having signal combiners, hybrid combiners, and phase shifters to dissect an input signal for amplification and subsequent recombination. The unique matrixes disclosed provide for the distributed amplification of any number of input signals factorable as a product of prime numbers including an odd prime number factor, therefore reducing the number of linear power amplifiers required where a number of input signals other than a power of two are used.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dynamically sizing sectors of a multi-sectored radiation pattern. The disclosed invention teaches the use of multiple narrow beams composited to form a radiation pattern. Signals associated with each such narrow beam may be provided to inputs of a scan receiver or signaling radio which inputs are associated with a particular sector of the radiation pattern. The number of narrow beam signals provided inputs associated with a particular sector defines the azimuthal width of that sector. By altering the number of narrow beam signals provided each such input, the azimuthal width of the sectors may be adjusted. The disclosed invention also teaches the use of attenuators in the signal path between the narrow beams and the scan receiver or signalling radio. By adjusting these attenuators, the effective length of the sectors may be adjusted.

Abstract: System and apparatus for actively managing calls in a wireless cellular network. A host receives input data from a plurality of cells regarding the status of calls in that cell. Input data may include call variables such as carrier signal strength over interference (C/I), forward and reverse link power, beam and channel assignments, handoff status, and triangulation data regarding location/movement of active calls. The host processes the input data with reference to known cell neighborhoods, and creates output data for each cell that includes information on other active calls in the neighborhood. The output data then updates the cell with information regarding active calls in the cell's vicinity. The cell may then make adjustments to call variables taking into account local interference conditions.

Abstract: An omni directional coverage multibeam antenna relief on a ground surface having simple conical shapes to provide beam steering. One advantage of such a system is that the projected area is always constant and broadside to the intended direction resulting in limited scan loss effects. In the case of a cylinder as the conical shape, z-axis symmetry provides a constant antenna aperture projection in any azimuthal direction. Using this geometry, high level, side lobes are reduced considerably because of the natural aperture tapering from dispersion effects. These side lobes are further reduced by the presence of parasitic elements which also result in the added benefit of an increased front and back ratio. This front to back ratio may be further increased by the use of inverted cosine energization of selected antenna elements.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antenna system and method of operation which allows for a large number of antennas to transmit signal streams to a similarly large number of receiver/transmit ports over a single communication channel. In operation, there is created a plurality of frequency bands each identified with a particular one of the antennas. The signal streams from each antenna are mixed so that they fall within the frequency band assigned to that antenna. The reduced signal streams, which now all fall within a preselected frequency band for each antenna, are then combined into a single wide band signal stream and communicated over a single communication channel to the remote end where the signals are separated into their respective signal streams and the separated signal streams are then mixed to recreate the originally received frequencies. The system can be arranged such that a selection process allows multiple radios to connect to any channel of any antenna.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and adapting radio signals at a cellsite to enable improved call management for mobiles active therein. Matrix switches, advantageously separate ones for the receive side and the transmit side of the cellsite's radios, have extra ports to which other devices are connected. These devices include signal modifiers such as amplifiers, filters, attenuators or interference cancelers, through which the radio signals may be routed within the switches to enable modification of the signals on a per-channel basis. These devices further include signal generators which may inject signals such as tones or noise to ports in the switches to create pretextual radio conditions that may trigger desired call management results. An air interface controller, advantageously in combination with a cell neighborhood host controller, governs operation of the system.

Abstract: A receiving system 100 is disclosed which includes at least one antenna 101 providing a plurality of antenna beams. A first processing branch 103 is included for processing a first plurality of signals appearing within a first plurality of the antenna beams. The first processing branch 103 includes a plurality of delay paths 105 each receiving a one of the first plurality of signals from a corresponding one of the first plurality of antenna beams and applying a predetermined amount of delay thereto, the preselected amount of delay proportionate to the corresponding one of the beams. First processing branch 103 further includes a combiner 106 for combining the first plurality of signals after output from the plurality of delay paths 105. A second processing branch 104 is provided for processing a second plurality of signals appearing within a second plurality of the antenna beams.

Abstract: A system and method for continuously managing antenna beam assignment for a particular channel in a cell is disclosed. Reception conditions on the antenna beams are continuously monitored whereby wireless communications are initially assigned antenna beams based on reference, in part, to the currently prevailing reception conditions. Antenna beam assignment for continuing wireless communication is periodically updated based reference, in part, to subsequently prevailing reception conditions.

Abstract: A transmitting system (80) is disclosed which includes several antennas (801-803) providing a plurality of antenna beams. The transmit signal from transmitter 81 is sent to the plurality of antennas via routing circuitry (82). The transmit signal is divided into two or more identical signals, each delayed by a selected amount. The particular antenna to which the undelayed signal, the first delayed signal and each other delayed signal is sent is selected for any instant depending on control signals provided by control (83). Control (83), in turn, could operate from a number of factors, one being the relative strengths of the received signals at each of the antennas for that particular channel. The amount of delay could, if desired, also be controlled by control (83).

Abstract: A receiving system 100 is disclosed which includes at least one antenna 101 providing a plurality of antenna beams. A first processing branch 103 is included for processing a first plurality of signals appearing within a first plurality of the antenna beams. The first processing branch 103 includes a plurality of delay paths 105 each receiving a one of the first plurality of signals from a corresponding one of the first plurality of antenna beams and applying a predetermined amount of delay thereto, the preselected amount of delay proportionate to the corresponding one of the beams. First processing branch 103 further includes a combiner 106 for combining the first plurality of signals after output from the plurality of delay paths 105. A second processing branch 104 is provided for processing a second plurality of signals appearing within a second plurality of the antenna beams.