Abstract: A phased array antenna system with adjustable electrical tilt includes an array (62) of antenna elements 621, to 6210. It has a splitter (44) dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter (46) introduces a variable phase shift. Further splitters (52) and (54) divide the relatively phase shifted signals into two sets of five signals. Four of each of the sets of five signals are vectorially combined in a network of 180 degree hybrid couplers 601, to 604. This provides vector sum and difference components which together with the fifth members of the sets are fed to respective fixed phase shifters (56, 58) and 641, to 6410. The phase shifters 641, to 6410 provide signals which are appropriately phased for use as phased array drive signals for respective antenna elements 621, to 6210. Adjustment of the single phase shift provided by the variable phase shifter (46) changes the angle of electrical tilt of the entire antenna array (62).

Abstract: A mobile-radio base station for a teleconununicaions 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 base station further 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.

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: A phased array antenna system with controllable electrical tilt generates two signals V2a and V2b with variable relative delay therebetween. The signals are converted into antenna element drive signals by a power distribution network. The network splits each of the two signals V2a and V2b into three signal components. Pairs of components of different signals are input respective hybrid coupling devices (hybrids), which provide vector sums and differences of their inputs and act as phase-to-power converters. Their outputs are distributed between further hybrids, which act as power-to-phase converters and provide antenna element drive signals with phase varying both with element array position and also with the variable relative delay between the two signals V2a and V2b. Antenna electrical tilt is therefore controllable by altering a single relative delay.

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 polarisation. 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 polarised 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 polarisation and the other transmit subgroup being radiated with right hand circular polarisation.

Abstract: An electrically steerable phased array antenna system includes an array of antenna elements and a corporate feed network having an inner region for input of two input signals A and B. The corporate feed network has two outer regions and generating vector combinations of respective input signals and other input signal fractions. Each outer region has a splitting and combining network providing the vector combinations as signals to antenna elements connected predominantly peripherally to itself. Each splitting and combining network has input signal connections from the inner region disposed peripherally of the corporate feed network. Each consists of splitters and adding/subtracting elements implemented as hybrid couplers some of which have re-entrant or meandered track sections. Hybrid meandered track sections have multiple widths for signal weighting. The corporate feed network is configured to avoid track cross-overs.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt comprises an array (60) of antenna elements (60L1) etc. incorporating a divider (44) dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter (46) introduces a variable phase shift. A phase to power converter (50) converts the phase shifted signals into signals with powers dependent on the phase shift. Power splitters (52, 54) 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 (561) etc. combine pairs of divided signals from different power splitters (52, 54) this provides vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements (60U1, 60L1) etc. located equidistant from an array centre. Adjustment of the phase shift provided by phase shifter (46) changes the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna array (60).

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 polarisation. 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 polarised 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 polarisation and the other transmit subgroup being radiated with right hand circular polarisation.

Abstract: An antenna system for use in transmitting and/or receiving at least two signals, whereby a first one of said signals is generated in a first operator frequency band by a first operator and a second one of said signals is generated in a second operator frequency band by a second operator wherein the antenna system comprises an antenna assembly having an adjustable angle of electrical tilt, and including a plurality of antenna elements (E1–En) for transmitting and/or receiving said signals, wherein the antenna elements are mounted upon an antenna carrier and are arranged in at least two sub-arrays, each sub-array including one or more of said elements, a control means for controlling electrically the phase of signals transmitted and/or received by said antenna assembly, thereby to control the angle of electrical tilt of said antenna assembly and a combiner means for enabling said antenna assembly to transmit and/or receive substantially simultaneously a first one of said signals at a first angle of electrical t

Abstract: An antenna system for use in transmitting and/or receiving at least two signals, whereby a first one of said signals is generated in a first operator frequency band by a first operator and a second one of said signals is generated in a second operator frequency band by a second operator. The antenna system comprises an antenna assembly having an adjustable angle of electrical tilt, and including a plurality of antenna elements (E1-En) for transmitting and/or receiving said signals, wherein the antenna elements are mounted upon an antenna carrier and are arranged in at least two sub-arrays, each sub-array including one or more of said elements. Control means are provided for controlling electrically the phase of signals transmitted and/or received by said antenna assembly, thereby to control the angle of electrical tilt of said antenna assembly.