Abstract: A cellular radio system and a method for transmitting pilot channels in a cellular radio network includes, in each cell, at least one base station communicating with mobile stations located within its area. The base stations transmit a data signal in the downlink direction by using transmission directions that change in time and which transmit information about the system to the mobile stations on control channels. In order to enable the most efficient use of the pilot channels, the base stations transmit at least one first pilot channel with a predetermined radiation pattern and second pilot channels on transmission directions that change in time. The predetermined radiation pattern determines the cell coverage area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of steering a signal from a base station is disclosed. The base station comprises one or more antenna arrays, one or more channel units, the channel units comprising means for phasing the signal to be transmitted and received in such a way that the gain from the antenna array is greatest in a specified direction. Further, the base station includes means for distinguishing connection quality information from information received from the mobile station. In order to improve the spectral efficiency and the connection quality, the channel unit comprises means for searching for the incoming directions and delays of the received signal components, and means for controlling the phasing means of the signal transmitted to the mobile on the basis of the information and the connection quality information received from the mobile station.

Abstract: A base station equipment for receiving and transmitting a signal of a desired user, which signal to be received may arrive at the equipment along several different paths with several different delays, and which equipment includes one or more antenna arrays composed of several elements, one or more channel units having components for phasing the signal to be transmitted and received by the antenna array in such a way that the gain from the antenna array is the greatest in the desired directions. Each channel unit includes components for searching for the incoming directions and delays of the received signal components, and components for controlling the phasing components on the basis of the information in such a way that the angle of the greatest gain of the antenna beams is deflected in the environment of the desired directions.

Abstract: A method for steering an antenna beam and base station equipment including at least one antenna array having a plurality of elements and at least one channel unit having a means for phasing a signal to be transmitted and received by the antenna array such that gain from the antenna array is the greatest in the desired direction. In order to improve the spectral efficiency of the system, the channel unit includes a means for searching for the incoming directions and delays of the received signal components and a means for controlling the phasing means of the opposite transmission direction based on the information.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving a signal of a desired user, which signal may arrive at the receiver along several different paths with several different delays, and which receiver has an antenna array consisting of several elements and one or more channel units for demodulating the desired received signal component. Each channel unit searches for the incoming directions and delays of the received signal components, and indicates the parameters of the best components for demodulation. The receiver is connected to the antenna array for analogically phasing the received signal so that the gain from the antenna array is the greatest in the desired beam-like directions.

Abstract: In a cellular radio system having in each of a plurality of cells at least one base station communicating with mobile stations located within its area, the base stations each transmit a pilot signal to the mobile stations. At least one of the base stations, transmits to the mobile stations by transmitting a pilot signal by using a rather narrow changing antenna beam. The angle of the greatest gain of the antenna beam is controlled in such a way that the antenna beam sweeps the cell area. The mobile stations can use the pilot signal in the identification of a base station, and as an indicator of a need for handover, without the continuous reception of the pilot signal in the subscriber equipment, and without a need to transmit the pilot signal with a higher transmission power than the other signals.

Abstract: The base stations of a cellular radio system direct their respective antennas effectively towards the terminal equipment with which they are respectively communicating. Each terminal equipment maintains and updates a list of base stations serving and potentially available to serve the respective terminal equipment. Updating is based on measuring signal strengths and directions, as well as directions of motion of the respective terminal equipment, so that each list, as updated includes only those base stations serving, and on the basis of forecast direction of movement of the terminal equipment, likely to be able to serve the respective terminal equipment. The terminal equipment measure signal strengths for the listed base stations, to determine the need for a handover.