Abstract: A phased array antenna system with electrical tilt control incorporates a tilt controller (62) for splitting an input signal into three intermediate signals, two of which are delayed by variable delays T1 and T2 relative to the third. A corporate feed (64) contains splitters S3 to S10 and hybrids H1 to H6 for processing the intermediate signals to produce drive signals for elements of an antenna array (66); the drive signals are fractions and vector combinations of the intermediate signals. The tilt controller (62) and the corporate feed (64) in combination impose relative phasing on the drive signals as appropriate for phased array beam steering in response to variable delay of two intermediate signals relative to the third intermediate signal.

Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure provides a dual-polarized antenna array that includes at least one unit cell. The at least one unit cell includes at least one radiating element of a first polarization state and at least two radiating elements of a second polarization state. The second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. The at least two radiating elements of the second polarization state are displaced on a first side and a second side of the at least one radiating element of the first polarization state.

Abstract: In one example, an antenna radome may have at least a first face that includes a plurality of surface features, where the plurality of surface features may include at least a first ridge and at least a first depression, and where the plurality of surface features may be oriented longitudinal along the antenna radome. In another example, an antenna radome may have at least a first face that includes a plurality of surface features, where the plurality of surface features may include at least a first ridge and at least a first depression, and where the plurality of surface features may be oriented transverse along the antenna radome.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes an antenna array having at least a first cross dipole antenna element having a first dipole and a second dipole orthogonal to the first dipole and at least a second cross dipole antenna element having a third dipole and a fourth dipole orthogonal to the third dipole. An orientation of the at least a second cross dipole antenna is offset 45 degrees with respect to the at least a first cross dipole antenna element. The at least a first cross dipole antenna element and the at least a second cross dipole antenna element are for transmitting and/or receiving signals at plus 45 degrees and minus 45 degrees slant polarizations.

Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure describes an antenna system with at least two linear antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements. Each array is designed to transmit and receive signals from different respective spectrum bands. The first antenna array and second antenna array are arranged to form one longer, combined linear array of antenna elements. In addition, at least one antenna element is shared between the first and second antenna arrays. In one example, the first antenna array is connected to a first RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the first antenna array and the second antenna array is connected to a second RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the second antenna array.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for spatially filtering inter-cell co-channel interference in the elevation plane, which in turn will improve network spectral efficiency.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system with electrical tilt control incorporates a tilt controller (62) for splitting an input signal into three intermediate signals, two of which are delayed by variable delays T1 and T2 relative to the third. A corporate feed (64) contains splitters S3 to S10 and hybrids H1 to H6 for processing the intermediate signals to produce drive signals for elements of an antenna array (66); the drive signals are fractions and vector combinations of the intermediate signals. The tilt controller (62) and the corporate feed (64) in combination impose relative phasing on the drive signals as appropriate for phased array beam steering in response to variable delay of two intermediate signals relative to the third intermediate signal.

Abstract: A system and method for antenna radiation pattern sweeping in wireless networks, e.g., cellular networks, are disclosed. For example, the system comprises a first base station associated with a first antenna assembly for providing a first antenna radiation pattern over a first footprint of a first cell, a second base station associated with a second antenna assembly for providing a second antenna radiation pattern over a second footprint of a second cell, wherein there is an overlap between the first footprint and the second footprint, and a controller for controlling the first base station and the second base station to continuously provide a variation of the first antenna radiation pattern and the second antenna radiation pattern in a co-ordinated manner for maintaining the overlap between the first footprint and the second footprint.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system with multiple beams incorporates a CDMA base station (32) with multiple ports 341to 36N for positive and negative polarisation signals connected to ports 401 to 42N of an antenna assembly (44). The antenna assembly (44) is single stack and multi-port, and it provides multiple antenna beams with polarisation diversity and different vertical angles of electrical tilt which are fixed or variable. It is suitable for 3G mobile radio using CDMA. Different antenna beams may carry groups of data channels distinguished either by different channelisation process coding or by different scrambling process coding. An operator may use two or more beams simultaneously. Control of angle of electrical tilt of antenna beams may be implemented by introducing variable relative delay between signals associated with different antenna ports A(+) and B(+) and feeding them to a signal splitting and combining network providing antenna element signals.

Abstract: Cross-polar discrimination (XPD) of a dual orthogonal cross-polarized antenna is maximized via a cross-coupling network between base station MIMO branches prior to connection to the base station antenna. In one embodiment, a cross coupling network combines each MIMO branch signal with an attenuated phase reversed (phase shifted) copy of the other MIMO branch signal. The amount of attenuation for each branch is equivalent to the cross polar suppression required for each antenna array. The cross-coupling can be applied at different stages of signal processing within a base station.

Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure describes an antenna system with at least two linear antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements. Each array is designed to transmit and receive signals from different respective spectrum bands. The first antenna array and second antenna array are arranged to form one longer, combined linear array of antenna elements. In addition, at least one antenna element is shared between the first and second antenna arrays. In one example, the first antenna array is connected to a first RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the first antenna array and the second antenna array is connected to a second RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the second antenna array.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for spatially filtering inter-cell co-channel interference in the elevation plane, which in turn will improve network spectral efficiency.

Abstract: A diversity antenna system with electrical tilt has two dual polarized, tilt adjustable antenna stacks (44A) and (44B) with physical separation providing space diversity. Each antenna stack (44A) or (44B) has two polarizations associated with independently adjustable electrical tilt angles. The electrical tilt angles of each antenna stack (44A) or (44B) are controlled to be equal to those of the other antenna stack to provide co-polarization or anti-polarization tilt coupling. The antenna system (40) may operate with multiple carrier frequencies each associated with a respective pair of polarizations of different antenna stacks (44A) and (44B) with co-polarization or anti-polarization tilt coupling. Antenna tilt angles are controllable so that different carrier frequencies are associated with independently adjustable angles of electrical tilt. The system may be used with groups of both contiguous and non-contiguous carrier frequencies.

Abstract: An antenna system for shared operation has three antenna stacks each with two mutually orthogonal polarisations (+45 degree and ?45 degree). It is for use with multiple base stations. It combines on to a single feeder signals associated with like polarisation and with the base stations, and separates on to different feeders signals associated with different polarisations. This applies both to transmit and receive signals passing between antennas and base stations. Signal combining is achieved by band pass filtering. Each base station transmits and receives via a respective antenna stack, and so each can have an individual angle of electrical tilt. Two, three or four feeders may be used to route signals between antennas and base stations. With four feeders, transmit and receive signals and differing polarisation associations are separable, reducing intermodulation products. With two feeders, transmit and receive signals with like polarisation associations are combined.

Abstract: A mobile-radio base station for a telecommunications system includes vector modulator means for independently controlling the phase and/or amplitude of a plurality of component signals representative of the signal to be transmitted or received, such that when these signals pass through a plurality of antenna elements, a beam is formed in a direction according to the phase relationship of the component signals. The invention also includes interface means allowing other base stations to be coupled to the same antenna, with each base station having independent control of its beam direction. Provision is includes for phase compensation of the signals to correct for errors introduced by unequal and variable component signal path lengths between the base station and the antenna. The vector modulator means is arranged to operate at low power levels, where it can operate more efficiently.

Abstract: An electrically tilted antenna system with polarization diversity has a dual polarized, tilt adjustable antenna (32). The antenna (32) has dipoles (34, 36) of two orthogonal polarizations associated with independently adjustable electrical tilt angles. The tilt angles are implemented by relative delays between corporate feed input or output signals, the delays being introduced by an antenna tilt assembly (54). Two signal feeders (F21, F22) associated with different antenna polarizations connect the antenna tilt assembly (54) to a base station filter assembly (50): the base station filter assembly 50 routes transmit signals from base stations (BS21, BS22) to different antenna polarizations via respective feeders (F21, F22) and the antenna tilt assembly (54). This assembly also divides receive signals from feeders (F21, F22) between both base stations (BS21, BS22).

Abstract: A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt comprises an array of antenna elements etc. incorporating a divider dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter introduces a variable phase shift. A phase to power converter converts the phase shifted signals into signals with powers dependent on the phase shift. Power splitters divide the converted signals into two sets of divided signals with total number equal to the number of antenna elements in the array. Power to phase converters etc. combine pairs of divided signals from different power splitters this provides vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements etc. located equidistant from an array center. Adjustment of the phase shift provided by phase shifter changes the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna array.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt comprises an array of antenna elements etc. incorporating a divider dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter introduces a variable phase shift. A phase to power converter converts the phase shifted signals into signals with powers dependent on the phase shift. Power splitters divide the converted signals into two sets of divided signals with total number equal to the number of antenna elements in the array. Power to phase converters etc. combine pairs of divided signals from different power splitters this provides vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements etc. located equidistant from an array centre. Adjustment of the phase shift provided by phase shifter changes the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna array.

Abstract: An antenna system for sharing of operation employs contiguous transmit frequencies. Transmit frequencies are separated into non-contiguous sub-groups isolated from one another by filters 158(+) and 160(?) associated with positive and negative polarization. Received frequencies are filtered and split into five signals for input to base station receive ports. Non-contiguous transmit frequency sub-groups are combined by a quadrature hybrid 110 and pass with 90 degree relative phase shift to mutually orthogonal antenna stack ports P(+) and P(?) associated with orthogonally polarized sets of antenna elements AS(+) and AS(?): the ports P(+) and P(?) are isolated from one another by the hybrid 110. The 90 degree phase shift results in one transmit subgroup being radiated with left hand circular polarization and the other transmit subgroup being radiated with right hand circular polarization.

Abstract: An antenna installation for cellular radio has four antennas ANT 1A, ANT 1B, ANT 2 and ANT 3 mounted on respective sides of a rectangular support 48 and giving rise to four antenna coverage sectors 1A and 1B and sectors 2 and 3. A splitter/combiner unit (SCU) receives three signals (1, 2 and 3) from a base station, and splits signal 1 into two signals 1A and 1B of equal power. The splitter/combiner 5C1 acts as a splitter in transmit mode and a combiner in receive mode. The signals 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 are connected to antennas ANT 1A, ANT 1B ANT 2 and ANT 3 respectively. Split signal antennas ANT 1A, ANT 1B carrying the same transmit signal are not adjacent to one another: they are separated from one another by another sector associated with a different signal, and therefore do not overlap sufficiently to affect communications significantly. This avoids creation of signal interference regions in antenna coverage areas which would lead to signals being partially unobtainable there.