Abstract: The invention relates to a fixed wireless access telecommunications system wherein there is provided a multi tier, preferably two tier, frequency plan in which a number of frequency plans, preferably two frequency plans are overlaid. Thus, a first frequency plan can be implemented using first sets of antenna elements and additional overlaid frequency plans can be implemented using additional sets of antenna elements which may be co-located at the base stations with the first sets of antenna elements. The frequency plans may be sectored with the base station comprising at least one directional antenna. The first and second frequency plans are generally the have the same topology except that the first frequency plan is rotated relative to the second.

Abstract: This invention relates to radio communication networks and more particularly, to up-link power control for fixed wireless access communication networks. In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a radio communications uplink power control system wherein distance information between an outstation and a base station and information relating to channel loss is employed by a power control algorithm whereby the signal power transmitted can be optimally controlled. The present invention provides a power control strategy which adapts not only to the total channel loss, but separately to the components of this loss. The total channel loss is calculated from the difference in the received signal power and the transmitted signal power (which is encoded in the message, or sent in addition to the message and therefore known to the receiving station). A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to radio communication networks and more particularly, but not exclusively, to radio communication networks using multiple access techniques. A system and method for adaptively changing the characteristics of a signal transmitted across the network is provided. In one embodiment, the communications network includes at least two transceivers; wherein at least one of the transceivers is capable of sending a feedback signal to the other transceiver after receiving a signal transmitted over the network from the other transceiver after analysis of the transmitted signal and in the event that the signal characteristics of the system need to be varied.

Abstract: This invention relates to duplex and to half duplex transmission schemes and more particularly to the application of such schemes in TDMA and other multiple access environments. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of multiplexing signals transmitted by a number of terminals onto a communications link; the link having a capacity less than the total capacity of the terminals; the method including the step of varying the rate of encoding of said signals transmitted by said terminals whereby the bandwidth o the transmitted signals corresponds to the portions allocated to the terminals. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for the communication of signals in real time over a channel; said system adapted to vary the bandwidth of at least one signal such that the number of signals multiplexed onto said channel can be dynamically varied.

Abstract: A radio access system comprises a base station and a plurality of subscriber locations. The subscriber locations each comprise a residential base unit or subscriber interface which includes line termination equipment. A group of subscribers is served by a pool of residential radio transceiver units in radio communication with the base station which is connected to the residential base units by a shared bus. A group of subscriber locations may be served by a lesser number of residential transceiver units, while at the same time providing individual locations with access to increased bandwidth for ISDN services and the like. Also described is a system in which a subscriber's base unit is connected to two or more residential transceiver units to allow increased bandwidth without requiring additional residential base units.

Abstract: This invention relates to radio communications and in particular relates to a method for allocating channels in a radio communications system having a plurality of bearers in a system which is subject to slow temporal fading. In radio communications, signals are transmitted at a particular frequency, in a frequency band or in a number of frequency bands. Obstacles in a signal path, such as buildings in built-up areas and hills in rural areas, act as signal scatterers and these, together with fading, amongst other factors can cause signalling problems whereby signals may not be communicated on certain channel The present invention provides a system and method for channel allocation method for a multi-bearer communications network, with each bearer supporting a number of channels, wherein after allocation of a channel responsive to an access request from the available bearers which can provide access, the maximum number of available slots are left on each bearer, for a particular level of subscription.

Abstract: A fixed wireless access communication network is described. The capacity of a fixed wireless access network is limited by the number of radio frequencies and hence the numberof channels available. The present invention prepares a solution to this problem whenever the radio channels are transmitted at one of at least two power levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to radio communication systems and in particular relates to a method of installation for a fixed wireless access subscriber antenna. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a fixed wireless access arrangement comprising one or more directive antennas operable to be directed at a base station; the method steps comprising: determining the absolute position of the location of the subscribers premises employing a radio position determining receiver; referencing data relating to the absolute position of the location of a fixed wireless access base station; positioning an antenna relative to the base station given the absolute position of the whereby initial set-up of the antenna is sufficiently accurate whereby fine tuning of the antenna is possible. By configuring the antenna mount prior to attachment on the structure, then the time required to deploy fixed wireless access subscriber equipment is much reduced.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement (10) for a cellular radio base station is provided with a plurality of r.f. transceivers, including one or more antenna arrays (12) each comprising a plurality of sub-arrays (20) each selectively operpable to form a beam in azimuth. Each sub-army is provided with elevation beamforming means (24) and individual transmit and receive amplifiers (30,32). Each sub-array beamformer is coupled to at least one r.f. transmitter feed (26)nd each r.f. receiver feed is coupled to at least two sub-array beamformers, the sub-arrays of each antenna array together forming a multiplicity of separate substantially coincident beams in azimuth. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement comprising at least 4 upright omnidirectional antenna is disclosed. The omnidirectional antennas are spaced apart in an irregular fashion. By providing at least 4 omnidirectional antenna in a irregular spaced apart arrangement, spatial diversity is provided, at any distant point from the antennas, by at least 3 antennas. Thus the minimum gain, for a four antenna arrangement, approaches 0.75 of the maximum gain when taking relative position of a receiver into account.

Abstract: This invention relates to radio communication systems and provides a signal combiner for a radio communications system having a number of receiving antennas. The signal combiner receives signals from all receiving antennas and provides a combination technique with performance close to optimal (maximal ratio) combiners but without the complexity. The invention provides a base station (10) arrangement which only processes the outputs from antennas (12) which contribute positively to the overall system carrier-to-noise ratio.