Abstract: A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is provided. The access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with at least one remote station in a forward link based upon an exchange of packet data comprising a plurality of control frames and a data frame. The directional antenna includes a plurality of antenna patterns. The method includes receiving a first control frame via a first antenna pattern of the directional antenna from the remote station, transmitting a first data frame to the remote station, and receiving a second control frame via a second antenna pattern of the directional antenna from the remote station. A signal quality of the first control frame received via the first antenna pattern and a signal quality of the second control frame received via the second antenna pattern are measured. The respective measured signal qualities associated with the first and second antenna patterns are compared.

Abstract: A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network is provided, wherein the access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with at least one remote station. The method includes communicating with a selected remote station using a current angle of the directional antenna, and scanning an alternate angle from a plurality of alternate angles of the directional antenna for communicating with the selected remote station. Respective signals received via the current angle and the alternate angle from the selected remote station are measured. The current angle or the alternate angle is selected as a preferred angle based upon the measured signals for continuing communications with the selected remote station.

Abstract: An antenna control interface is integrated with common integrated circuit components, such as radio transceiver or baseband modem signal processing control logic. The antenna control interface controls the operation of an adaptive antenna array used with wireless communication system devices.

Abstract: A technique for steering a directional antenna such as may be used with User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. Optimum angle settings for the directional antenna are determined as different values for an uplink and downlink; that is for simple reception and simple transmission. Thus, rather than determine compromised directions that are picked in an attempt to optimize transmission and reception with the same directional setting, directional settings may be optimized independently. The invention is of particular use in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system where transmit and receive functions can be operating independently at different times. In further aspects, an optimum direction is determined by estimating an interference signal power which is detected from signals emanating from adjacent base stations (access points) and determining a directional setting that minimizes interference to adjacent cells based upon such measurements.

Abstract: A Station Management Entity (SME) steers a directional antenna for a station to communicate with an Access Point (AP) in an 802.11 protocol system. The SME can steer the antenna before or after an 802.11 station has authenticated and associated with the Access Point. During a passive scan, the steering process cycles through the available antenna positions and monitors an AP beacon signal to determine a best position based on, for example, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). During an active scan where access probing is used, the steering process cycles through the antenna positions and monitors a probe response to determine the best antenna position. Additional scans may be performed based on a decision that the received signal level of the currently selected antenna position has dropped below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is provided. The access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with a plurality of remote stations, and the directional antenna includes a plurality of antenna patterns. The method includes creating an antenna database by associating between the access point and each remote station a respective measured signal quality corresponding to the plurality of antenna patterns. The respective measured signal qualities are determined by the access point based upon communications with each remote station. The method further includes determining for each remote station a preferred antenna pattern based upon the antenna database, and selecting a remote station and the corresponding preferred antenna pattern to communicate with.

Abstract: A technique for steering a directional antenna such as may be used in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) device. The technique detects signal parameters during reception of short sync pulses in the very beginning portion of a Packet Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) frame. As a result, the antenna can be steered to an optimum direction for reception prior to receiving other portions of a preamble that may be needed to acquire carrier signal phase and frequency.

Abstract: A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is provided. The access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with a plurality of remote stations, and the directional antenna includes an omni angle and a plurality of directional angles. The method determines a preferred direction to the point the directional antenna from the access point to a desired remote station. This determination is based on a sequence of probe signals exchanged between the access point and the remote station. The probe response signals are measured by the access point, and are stored in an antenna database.

Abstract: A mobile subscriber unit includes a smart antenna having antenna elements for generating a plurality of antenna beams, and adjustable weight control components connected to the antenna elements for selecting any one of the antenna beam. A transceiver is connected to the smart antenna. A beam selector controller is connected to the transceiver and operates in a coarse adjustment mode by jointly adjusting the weight control components when scanning through the antenna beams, and operates in a fine adjustment mode by independently adjusting the weight control components when one of the scanned antenna beams is selected.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus that can increase capacity in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The antenna operates in conjunction with a station and comprises a plurality of antenna elements, each coupled to a respective weight control component to provide a weight to the signal transmitted from (or received by) each element. The weight for each antenna element is adjusted to achieve optimum reception during, for example, an idle mode when a pilot signal is received. The antenna array creates a beam former for signals to be transmitted from the mobile station, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading and intercell interference are greatly reduced. The weights are adjusted in a coarse and a fine mode.

Abstract: A repeater for a wireless network in which a signal radiation path provided by building wiring is used to provide spatial separation between at least two radiating points. The repeater is preferably packaged into a housing that is suitable for use as an Alternating Current-to-Direct Current (AC/DC) transformer (or wall wart). If the radiating point includes at least one antenna, the antenna may also be incorporated within the transformer housing. The radiating points can be are provided by at least two antennas, in which case the building wiring includes a coaxial cable, such for carrying video or cable signals. The building wiring may also be standard Alternating Current (AC) three wire conductor cable which may or may not be placed within building walls. In this implementation, the radiating point is determined by a matching circuit.

Abstract: A repeater that extends the range of a wireless communication system especially one using Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocols. The device preferably translates signals received on a first radio frequency channel to a second radio frequency channel. The repeater preferably monitors one or more channels for transmissions. When a transmission on one channel is detected, the repeater is configured to translate the received signal to another channel where it is then transmitted. The device thus solves a problem of isolating input and output signal from one another.

Abstract: A technique for steering a directional antenna such as may be used with User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. Optimum angle settings for the directional antenna are determined as different values for an uplink and downlink; that is for simple reception and simple transmission. Thus, rather than determine compromised directions that are picked in an attempt to optimize transmission and reception with the same directional setting, directional settings may be optimized independently. The invention is of particular use in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system where transmit and receive functions can be operating independently at different times. In further aspects, an optimum direction is determined by estimating an interference signal power which is detected from signals emanating from adjacent base stations (access points) and determining a directional setting that minimizes interference to adjacent cells based upon such measurements.

Abstract: A technique for steering a directional antenna such as may be used in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) device. The technique detects signal parameters during reception of short sync pulses in the very beginning portion of a Packet Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) frame. As a result, the antenna can be steered to an optimum direction for reception prior to receiving other portions of a preamble that may be needed to acquire carrier signal phase and frequency.

Abstract: A Station Management Entity (SME) steers a directional antenna for a station to communicate with an Access Point (AP) in an 802.11 protocol system. The SME can steer the antenna before or after an 802.11 station has authenticated and associated with the Access Point. During a passive scan, the steering process cycles through the available antenna positions and monitors an AP beacon signal to determine a best position based on, for example, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). During an active scan where access probing is used, the steering process cycles through the antenna positions and monitors a probe response to determine the best antenna position. Additional scans may be performed based on a decision that the received signal level of the currently selected antenna position has dropped below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An antenna control interface is integrated with common integrated circuit components, such as radio transceiver or baseband modem signal processing control logic. The antenna control interface controls the operation of an adaptive antenna array used with wireless communication system devices.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus that can increase capacity in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The antenna operates in conjunction with a station and comprises a plurality of antenna elements, each coupled to a respective weight control component to provide a weight to the signal transmitted from (or received by) each element. The weight for each antenna element is adjusted to achieve optimum reception during, for example, an idle mode when a pilot signal is received. The antenna array creates a beam former for signals to be transmitted from the mobile station, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading and intercell interference are greatly reduced. The weights are adjusted in a coarse and a fine mode.

Abstract: A receiver time delay calibration device designed for low cost retrofitting of airborne equipment and more specifically DME equipment. In this system, the output of a VFO is applied to the RF input port of the receiver to be tested. The VFO is swept through a frequency range of the receiver until the receiver provides an output, which occurs at the operating frequency of the receiver, f.sub.t. The receiver's output at f.sub.t is used to stop the sweep of the VFO and maintain it at f.sub.t. The output of the VFO is then pulse modulated and the delay between the RF pulse applied to the input of the receiver and the corresponding video output pulse from the receiver is measured to determine the receiver delay time.