Abstract: Various example embodiments are disclosed including methods, a system, a transmitter apparatus, a receiver apparatus, and computer program products which may provide advanced feedback signaling in a multi-antenna transmission system. In an example embodiment, a codebook may include an indexed set of beamforming elements, and may further include a first subset of elements for phase-only antenna control, and at least one of a second subset of elements for antenna subset selection, and a third subset of elements for single antenna selection.

Abstract: A method for downlink beamforming in a frequency-division-duplex wireless communications system comprising a base station with an antenna array and terminals that are physically remote from said base station, the method comprising the steps of: receiving at said base station antenna array combinations of arriving uplink signals from said plurality of remote terminals, estimating an uplink beamforming weight vector for each of said terminals from said combinations of arriving uplink signal; identifying uplink nulls and an uplink main beam position from said uplink beamforming weight vector; transforming each of said uplink nulls to form a corresponding downlink null; generating a downlink beamforming weight vector from all downlink nulls; and transmitting a set of information signals from said base station antenna array according to said downlink. beamforming weights.

Abstract: An illumination source of predominantly non-directional and incoherent millimeter-wave radiation for illuminating an area for passive millimeter-wave imaging comprises a container with at least a partly reflective internal surface and a plurality of exit apertures and a primary source of millimeter-wave radiation for emitting millimeter-wave radiation into the container. The primary source and the container are arranged so that a proportion of the millimeter-wave radiation emitted by the source undergoes reflection within the container before being emitted through the apertures, such that the different paths lengths are at least equal to the coherence length of the radiation. This is facilitated if the bandwidth of the radiation is preferably at least 1 GHz. The container may be a box in which a waveguide is used to couple radiation from the primary source into the box. Alternatively, the container may be formed from a mesh and the plurality of holes is provided by the holes in the mesh.

Abstract: A system for providing attitude and antenna steering for a spacecraft is disclosed. The spacecraft has a number of reaction wheels and a number of antennas. The system includes control logic configured to: determine a beta angle, the beta angle being the angle between a sun vector and an orbit plane of the spacecraft, and alternately engage either a first mode or a second mode to provide attitude and antenna steering based on the beta angle.

Abstract: A wireless communication device which permits reduction in the scale of circuitry as well as in the power consumption. The wireless communication device includes an array of antennas, an adaptive array searcher, and a data demodulator. The adaptive array searcher detects the phase difference between the antennas and estimates the direction of arrival of received radio waves. The data demodulator demodulates the radio signal received by the antennas. The adaptive array searcher shares part of circuitry with a calibrator which performs calibration by correcting the phase difference caused between antenna channels in the wireless communication device, and thus has a calibration function incorporated therein.

Abstract: A low cost and low profile antenna for commercial use, either in a fixed or mobile condition is disclosed. The antenna has a generally flat circular plate that rotates to seam the azimuth direction. A plurality of radiation elements are positioned on the surface of the circular plate. The received signals are multiplexed, digitally converted, digitally beamformed, and then transferred to a digital receiver.

Abstract: In a calibration apparatus, which calibrates the phases of main signals input to each of the antenna elements of an array antenna, a calibration signal generation portion generates calibration signals, which are combined with main signals. An RF switch alternately inputs to a wireless receiving portion the signals radiated from other antenna elements via a first antenna element, and the signals radiated from other antenna elements via a second antenna element, and causes demodulation. The calibration detection portion detects calibration signals from the demodulated signals, and the weight generation portion uses the detected calibration signals to calculate calibration weights, which are set in the phase shifter, to control the phases of main signals for input to each antenna element.

Abstract: Measurement opportunities are provided to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) operating with a switched beam antenna in a CDMA wireless communication system. The switched beam antenna is a smart antenna generating a plurality of directional beams and an omni-directional beam. The bursty nature of packet data transmission generates periods of inactivity or low traffic during a call. The WTRU switches to antenna beams other than the selected antenna beam for receiving and measuring signals during these periods of inactivity or low traffic. Moreover, if the network has knowledge of the fact the WTRU is operating using a switched beam antenna, the network can use this information when making decisions on channel allocations, thus providing frequent measurement opportunities to the WTRU in order to support the switched beam antenna operation.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna radio communication device comprises a divided band direction estimating unit (4) for estimating the direction by calculating the cross correlations between a pilot signal and sub-carrier signals of the respective divided bands received by an array antenna (1) and calculating a spatial profile from correlation matrices determined by combining the correlation values between antenna elements of the different sub-carriers according to the output of the cross correlation calculation; a divided band array weight creating unit (5) for creating a weight of a receive array having a directional beam in the direction of estimation for each divided band; and a sub-carrier directivity creating unit (6) for creating a directivity by multiplication-combining the created receive array weight with the corresponding sub-carrier signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for providing user specific beams in a fixed beam network. In one embodiment, there is provided a mobile transceiver comprising a first device configured to receive phase reference signal data from a base station, the phase reference signal data being indicative of a first phase reference signal and a second phase reference signal that may be used by the mobile transceiver during a communication session, and a second device configured to determine whether the second phase reference signal is likely to provide improved reception between the base station and the mobile transceiver with respect to the first phase reference signal, wherein the second device is configured to transmit data to the base station, the data being indicative of whether the first phase reference signal or the second phase reference signal is likely to provide improved reception between the base station and the mobile transceiver.

Abstract: Beamforming systems having a few bits of channel state information fed back to the transmitter benefit from low complexity decoding structures and performances gains compared with systems that do not have channel state feedback. Both unit rank and higher rank systems are implemented. Substantial design effort may be avoided by following a method of using functions formulated for space-time systems with the change that the channel coherence time is equated to the number of transmit antennas and the number of antennas in the space-time formulation is fixed at one.

Abstract: The invention concerns a base station (100) comprising a transmission antenna (1) consisting of several radiating elements (2) for transmitting one or more radio signals (E1, E2, , EN) to one or more addressee terminals (200). Said radio signals are generated from signal components (S1, S2, , SM) to which are applied phase shifts (D1, D2, , DN). The adjustment of said phase shifts brings about a systematic fluctuation of at least one transmitting direction of the antenna during the transmission of the radio signal, so as to provide diversity of propagation paths.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of increasing a phase resolution of an array antenna, comprises providing an array antenna having a plurality of rows of antenna elements, each antenna element having a first phase resolution; for at least one row of the array antenna, positioning each of the antenna elements to one of first and second phases, the first and second phases separated by at least the first phase resolution; for the at least one row of the array antenna, a number of antenna elements positioned to the first phase is the product of a number of antenna elements in the at least one row of the array antenna and a desired row phase angle divided by the first phase resolution; and for the at least one row of the array antenna, a number of antenna elements positioned to the second phase is the number of elements in the at least one row of the array antenna minus the number of antenna elements in the at least one row positioned to the first phase.

Abstract: A system (100) and method for the reception and despreading of a code-division multiple access (CDMA) global positioning system (GPS) signal (200), or other direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) signals, is provided. An antenna array (102) receives the DSSS signal (200) over a plurality of elements (116). A preprocessor (104) down converts and digitizes the DSSS signal (200) to produce a signal stream (202) in the time domain. An FFT (106) transforms the signal stream (202) to the frequency domain. A beam former (108) generates a reception beam (201) for the DSSS signal (200) in the frequency domain, and also implements a narrowband frequency notch, if desired. A despreader (110) despreads the transformed signal stream (204) in the frequency domain. An IFFT (112) transforms the despread signal stream (208) back to the time domain. And a postprocessor (114) converts the transformed despread signal stream (210) into a desired received signal stream (212) in the time domain.

Abstract: A user terminal supports multiple spatial multiplexing (SM) modes such as a steered mode and a non-steered mode. For data transmission, multiple data streams are coded and modulated in accordance with their selected rates to obtain multiple data symbol streams. These streams are then spatially processed in accordance with a selected SM mode (e.g., with a matrix of steering vectors for the steered mode and with the identity matrix for the non-steered mode) to obtain multiple transmit symbol streams for transmission from multiple antennas. For data reception, multiple received symbol streams are spatially processed in accordance with the selected SM mode (e.g., with a matrix of eigenvectors for the steered mode and with a spatial filter matrix for the non-steered mode) to obtain multiple recovered data symbol streams. These streams are demodulated and decoded in accordance with their selected rates to obtain multiple decoded data streams.

Abstract: A smart antenna system includes a plurality of antennas, a plurality of Transmit—Receive Modules (TRMs) coupled respectively to the plurality of antennas, and a beam steering module coupled to the plurality of TRMs and providing radiation beam steering for the plurality of TRMs. The beam steering module includes a pilot generator for generating a pilot signal and providing it to the TRMs to calibrate a receive (RX) reference plane. The pilot signal is injected at a first location before the receiver section into the RX path, and the pilot signal is sampled at a second location after the receiver section. The TRMs and the beam steering module can also be used to calibrate a transmit (TX) reference plane by sampling output signals from the TRMs. The output signals have a pilot signal component, and are sampled at the first location in the TX path after the transmitter section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming an antenna beam from an array antenna having a rear facing side, an aperture, and including a first and a second radiating element. The method comprises injecting a synchronization signal wirelessly from a common source at the rear facing side of the array antenna to provide an initial calibration of the array antenna that synchronizes phase of an output signal from the first and second radiating elements to the common source. The method further comprises compensating a change in phase of the synchronization signal at the first radiating element based on a spatial displacement to synchronize phase of a first portion of the output signal from the first radiating element to the phase of the synchronization signal at the second radiating element in response to the spatial displacement of the first radiating element after the initial calibration of the antenna array.

Abstract: A satellite communications system uses multiple ground stations and one or more satellites for communicating between mobile subscribers and a land-based communications network, such as the PSTN or the Internet. Multiple ground stations geographically dispersed minimize toll charges incurred routing calls from a mobile subscriber through the land network by reducing the need for long-distance calling. Further, because each ground station communicates with a given satellite using the same frequency spectrum, the subscriber capacity of the system increases and/or bandwidth requirements for the communications link between ground stations and satellites may be reduced. The present system uses ground-based beamforming techniques enabling each satellite to transmit signals in multiple transmission beams, each beam supporting one or more mobile subscribers. Each beam may reuse the same frequency spectrum, thereby increasing the number of subscribers supported by each satellite.

Abstract: A connection request signal issued from a terminal (PS2) corresponding to a new call and received by an array antenna (2) is supplied to an adaptive array (14) and a parameter estimating unit (15). The parameter estimating unit (15) lowers a send power of a terminal (PS1) corresponding to an existing call by a predetermined level when it is detected from an output of the adaptive array (14) and a signal supplied from the antenna (2) that the connection request signal is received via a C-channel.

Abstract: Calibration signals are distributed to the respective output signals of a plurality of antenna elements, thereby multiplexing the distributed calibration signals with the respective signals of the plurality of antenna elements. The calibration signals are extracted from the respective output signals of the multiplexing means and modulated, and the SIR (Signal to Interference Ratio) values of the calibration signals are calculated. The SIR value as calculated by SIR calculating means each calibration period is compared with a SIR threshold value. Only when the SIR value exceeds the SIR threshold value, a demodulated result of the calibration signal is outputted. Further, in each reception branch, the calibration amount of amplitude/phase information is determined based on a reference demodulation result of the branch corresponding to the demodulation result of the branch corresponding to the demodulation result, and a user signal is corrected based on the calibration amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for calibrating the phase of a microwave source, in which: a calibration circuit is closed, the calibration circuit comprising an injection channel connected to a measurement channel via the source to be calibrated; a test signal is injected through the source to be calibrated, the test signal being injected on the injection channel, the phase ?m of the signal having passed through the source to be calibrated is measured, the phase of the signal being measured on the measurement channel, wherein: the amplitude Am of the signal having passed through the source to be calibrated is measured, the amplitude of the signal being measured on the measurement channel; The calibration circuit is opened at the source to be calibrated; the test signal is injected on the injection channel; the phase ?f and the amplitude Af of the signal present on the measurement channel is measured; a corrected phase value ?c is determined, this corrected phase being the phase of a complex number

Abstract: Measurements of frequency and/or phase are taken at the signal ports (S1-S4) of an ISS device (10). These measurements are used to determine phase errors within the ISS device, and phase errors due to the antenna cables (C1-C4). On port, (e.g., S1) is selected as the reference port and then, based on these determined phase errors, offsetting phase errors are determined to correct the phase for the other ports (e.g., S2, S3, S4) with respect to the reference port. The signals at the antenna ports (A1-A4) are then in phase when an omnidirectional antenna pattern is desired from the TCAS antenna array (16). One in embodiment the frequency of the calibration signal is fixed; in another embodiment two different, fixed frequencies are used; and in still another embodiment the frequency is swept to achieve a predetermined measured phase difference.

Abstract: To provide a multibeam antenna reception device capable of improving the reception quality while suppressing an increase in the amount of computation. The multibeam antenna reception device includes a path detection control section (108) for controlling the path detection range at the current time for M receive beam path detection sections (1061 to 106M) based on pairs of receive beam numbers and path delays detected prior to the current time and information on user signal reception quality in the pairs of the receive beam numbers and the path delays output from the M receive beam path detection sections (1061 to 106M). When path detection is performed with respect to each user in the M receive beam path detection sections (1061 to 106M), pairs of receive beam numbers and path delays and information on user signal reception quality in the pairs of the receive beam numbers and the path delays are detected according to the path detection range controlled by the path detection control section (108).

Abstract: A multi-beam antenna transmitter/receiver includes reception beam formation units (1041-104M) which form a plurality of reception beams, and transmission beam formation units (1131-113J) which form a plurality of transmission beams. The multi-beam antenna transmitter/receiver further includes reception beam calculation units (1081-108M) which calculate overall reception qualities from the reception qualities for the path delays of user signals for respective reception beams, and a transmission beam selection unit (109) which selects a reception beam excellent in overall reception quality and selects a transmission beam having a direction which coincides with or is close to the direction of the selected reception beam. An optimum transmission beam can be selected even in the multipath environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a channel quality in wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) which are equipped with a subscriber based smart antenna. The WTRUs are equipped with a smart antenna so that the WTRU generates a plurality of directional beams and, optionally, an omni-directional beam. A dwell time is provided in a measurement period to switch a beam from an active beam to a non-active beam. The active beam is one of the plurality of directional beams or, optionally, the omni-directional beam, for communication with one or more serving base station(s). A beam is switched to a non-active beam at the initiation of the dwell time. Signals are received through the switched non-active beam, and samples of the received signals are generated. The samples are stored in a memory. Channel quality is measured using the samples, whereby the dwell time to measure the channel quality is minimized.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and receiving signals includes an array system of one or more active electronically scanned arrays. The array system includes a receive portion of a first number of receive elements and a transmit-receive portion of a second number of transmit-receive elements. A transmit-receive element includes monolithic microwave integrated circuit power amplifiers and low-loss miniature combiners. A signal processing system processes signals. A beam forming system generates receive beams of the receive elements. A receive beam has a receive beam beamwidth that is less than a transmit beam beamwidth of a transmit beam of the transmit-receive elements.

Abstract: A phased array antenna (100) comprising a planar array having a plurality of modules (101,102,103). Each module comprises an integrated multilayer structure having a plurality of radiating elements (215), at least one of the layers is produced using MEMS technology. Further, each module has at least one of a plurality of phase shifters (220,221,222), a plurality of power dividers (230,231,232), a plurality of polarization circuits (and a plurality of filters (240,241,242)). The modules are coupled, both mechanically and electrically, to a distribution network (110) for distribution of DC signals and RF signals. At least one amplifier (121,122,123) is connected between the distribution network and the modules or a single amplifier is connected to the whole array.

Abstract: Systems and methods of MIMO wireless communication system with partial feedback are disclosed. In one embodiment, a base station estimates the channel matrices of the K mobile units and transmits an index value corresponding to each of the estimated channel matrix. Each mobile unit selects a power control matrix and beam-forming matrix based on the received index value and transmits its data stream to the base station using the selected power control and beam-forming matrix. A method for generating the sets of power control matrices, beam-forming matrices, and partitions of the channel matrix space is disclosed.

Abstract: A radio device includes an array antenna including a plurality of antennas; an adaptive array processing unit multiplying signals provided from the respective antennas of the array antenna by receive weights, and thereby extracting a signal received from desired another radio device; a switch circuit provided corresponding to at least one of the plurality of antennas for providing the signal received from the corresponding antenna to the reception signal processing unit in a receive operation; and a transmission amplifier amplifying and providing a modulated transmission signal to the first switch circuit corresponding to the one of the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration apparatus for an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements. The calibration apparatus comprises a conversion unit detecting a calibration signal from an output of a transmission unit to convert the detected calibration signal into a predetermined reception radio frequency and outputting the converted calibration signal together with a reception main signal to a reception unit, a detecting unit detecting the calibration signal from an output of the reception unit for each of the antenna elements to obtain a relative phase difference between the calibration signals, and a phase correcting unit correcting a phase difference with respect to one of or both a transmission main signal and a reception main signal based on the obtained relative phase difference. This configuration can eliminate the need for a radio transmitter-receiver dedicated to a calibration signal, thus facilitating the calibrations.

Abstract: An automotive radar system includes a beamformer circuit and a beamcombiner circuit. The beamformer circuit forms a plurality of antenna beams at a plurality of beam ports. The beam combiner circuit receives the beams provided thereto from the beamformer circuit and combines the beams to provide a desired number of beams, with each of the beams having a desired beam shape. In one embodiment, the beamcombiner provides first and second end beams having a beamwidth which is less than a beamwidth of middle beams.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless communications using at least one beam is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of WTRUs, at least one beam-forming antenna, and at least one radio network controller (RNC). The antenna is capable of beam-forming and beams emanating from the antenna may be adjusted in accordance with actual conditions in the wireless communication system. The antenna is further capable of dithering beams in the azimuth and/or elevation plane for breaking up null areas due to beam overlap.

Abstract: The invention relates to controlling of characteristics of radiation patterns in wireless telecommunications system, where radiation patterns are provided by antenna arrays, each antenna array comprising at least two independent antenna units, each antenna unit being associated with an antenna-unit-specific antenna signal. A control circuit for controlling the characteristics of radiation patterns comprises an antenna signal amplitude adjuster for adjusting a relative amplitude of at least two antenna-unit-specific antenna signals as a function of a phase shift between at least two radio frequency signals inputted into the antenna signal amplitude adjuster. The circuit further comprises an adjustable phase shifter for adjusting the phase shift between the at least two radio frequency signals inputted into the antenna signal amplitude adjuster.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a CDMA receiver to a transmitter when an adaptive antenna is utilized to receive transmitted data, wherein a receiving antenna system is adapted between a 360° reception angle pattern (i.e., an omni-directional pattern) and a fixed reception angle (i.e., a directional pattern) by permitting the receiver to identify a pilot signal having the largest magnitude. The receiver minimizes interference from other pilot signals by steering antenna pattern nulls toward other transmitters. As a result, the time required for the receiver to acquire a valid pilot signal is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A technique for boresighting an antenna mounted on a moving platform is described. The technique uses a concurrently moving calibration target. Target navigation data and platform navigation data are used to compensate for movement of the target and the platform. The antenna pointing direction is biased in a direction which provides a best signal quality, and the bias used to determine antenna boresight calibration factors. The boresight correction factors can be used for open loop pointing.

Abstract: An antenna array coacts with a ground plane for radiation. Calibration of the array is accomplished with the aid of one or more extensible calibration antenna elements, such as monopole antenna elements. Each calibration monopole is ordinarily retracted below the ground plane and is not “energized.” When calibration is desired, it is extended to protrude above the ground plane so as to achieve mutual coupling with one or more of the elements of the array antenna. Calibration signals may be passed in either direction. The calibration antenna may be extended/retracted by vacuum, mechanical device, or electrical motor.

Abstract: A smart antenna calibration system is disclosed for calibrating an antenna array having a plurality of antennas. Each antenna has a calibration coupler for providing a monitoring signal indicative of a signal passing through a transceiver associated thereof, and a processing unit including at least one signal splitter that splits at least one monitoring signal and a combiner array comprising one or more combiners for combining at least two split monitoring signals from first and second antennas to produce a first combined signal representing an in-phase sum and a second combined signal representing a quadrature sum. A power detector is in communication with the processing unit, which is configured to estimate a power level of the signal passing each of the first and second antennas and the in-phase power and quadrature power of the in-phase and quadrature sums for determining a phase difference of the signal on the antennas.

Abstract: A system and related methods for beamforming in a multi-point communication environment is presented. According to one aspect of the invention, a method comprising identifying one or more target(s) for which a communication signal is intended, identifying one or more other target(s) which may benefit from receipt of the communication signal, and developing a multi-lobe beampattern to transmit the communication signal to the intended target(s) and the identified one or more other target(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are a transmitting and receiving apparatus and method in an adaptive array antenna system capable of real-time calibration. Transfer functions in the transmitting and receiving apparatus are estimated by injecting a calibration signal to each of transmit and receive channels and analyzing the signals that has passed through the transmit and receive channels. An RF CW sinusoidal signal of a single frequency can be used as the calibration signal to simplify a process of signal processing in a baseband. In addition, in the calibration of the receiving apparatus, gains of all receive channels are controlled using an identical signal. Thus, a relative transfer function characteristic of the receive channels is constant irrespective of the gains of the receivers.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a receive only, phased array antenna in its operating environment. Two transmit signals of different but unknown polarizations are used to calibrate the receive only antenna array, and the receive element locations and polarizations are accurately known. The method determines the complex weights on the antenna elements and the magnitude of the vertical and horizontal components of the calibration signal in the presence of multi-path signals as well as standard noise. Two different methods for calibrating are provided. A first method uses combinations of three elements to determine the calibration constants using small matrices and then averaging all the possible results for each element, and a second method solves for the calibration constants for all elements at one time using a singular value decomposition, but requires the manipulation of large, sparse matrices.

Abstract: A method and system for coordinating the use of beam forming between two communicating entities in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The two entities may communicate control information regarding their respective use of beam forming. A correction factor for at least one entity is provided wherein said entity may reduce or withhold its beam adjustment in order to correct any error measured in the alignment of its beam with respect to the beam of the other entity with which it is communicating.

Abstract: A substrate is provided with a multiplicity of electrically conductive elements, and the elements are interconnected to form an antenna structure for desired application. Either the antenna pattern itself may be altered according to the invention, or one or more feed points may be changed, or all of the above. As such, the electrically conductive elements may be interconnected to change the directionality of the antenna pattern, the gain, the frequency response, or other operational characteristics. The electrically conductive elements may be arranged in the form of an inchoate antenna pattern or regular array. Switches at key points of the structure enable the pattern to be changed dynamically. Such switching may be carried out in real time in accordance with transmissions/reception characteristics, or in advance using simulations associated with the switched elements.

Abstract: A method for shaping beams in a radio communication system employs current weighting vectors determined from first weighting vectors. The first weighting vectors used for the beam shaping are chosen to be orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A radar device (2) includes plural transmission antennas and plural reception antennas. The reception antennas constitute a reception-side antenna portion (20) and are arranged at an interval of d. The transmission antennas constitute a transmission-side antenna portion (18) and are arranged at an interval of d?=d×(n?1). The path length at which the electric wave is reflected from a target is identical between channels A9 and B1, and seventeen kinds of channels (A1 to A8, A9 or B1, B2 to B9) which are different in path length by every fixed distance are achieved. The data of the channels (A1 to A9 and B1 to B9) using different transmission antennas are respectively collected in different measuring cycles, and an error based on the time difference between the measuring cycles is corrected on the basis of a correction value calculated from the data of the channels A9, B1.

Abstract: The disclosed radio frequency signal transmitting and receiving apparatuses compensate for phase and amplitude differences without detecting sync timing of a calibration signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmitting and receiving module having a support housing that has a hexagonal face member mounted to the support housing. This face member has an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals. Mounted within the support housing is circuitry for (a) conducting radio frequency signals to the antenna for transmission by the antenna, and (b) conducting radio frequency signals received by the antenna from the antenna for processing. Such a module, functioning as a hexagonal power unit core, can be fixed in a honeycomb cellular array employing “plug and play” assembly techniques.

Abstract: A calibration device for a switchable antenna array, distinguished by the following improvements provides at least two inputs of two or more available inputs of the beam forming network fed simultaneously and/or jointly and/or in the same phase. The antenna elements have been trimmed in advance in order to produce intermediate lobes or further different azimuth beam directions, such that the individual lobes which are produced when at least two inputs are connected can be added with the correct phase.

Abstract: Transmitting apparatus (10) for transmitting a transmission signal to a receiving apparatus (12) is described. The transmitting apparatus (10) comprises means (30, 32, 34) for transmitting to the receiving apparatus a plurality of transmission beams in accordance with a transmission beam pattern, at least one of the beams carrying the transmission signal, each beam being distinguishable from the or each other beam, means (38, 40) for receiving from the receiving apparatus a feedback signal based on measures of the quality of the transmission beams received at the receiving apparatus, and means (36) for adjusting the transmission beam pattern in dependence on the feedback signal. Corresponding receiving apparatus, and corresponding methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating calibration signals for calibrating spatially remote signal branches of antenna systems. In accordance with the invention, a base signal is generated by mean of a timer and is fed to a distributor unit for distribution of the base signal to amplifier circuits on the signal distribution lines respectively allocated to them. At the output of the amplifier circuits, a calibration signal is generated respectively via amplification of the base signal within a specifiable upper amplitude limit and a specifiable lower amplitude limit, which is fed to the respective feed-in point of the signal branch to be calibrated that is allocated to an amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A navigation system including a GPS receiver; a variable directivity antenna capable of forming a null point in at least one direction; a null point setting unit for setting the null point of the variable directivity antenna in the direction of a GPS satellite that can perform positioning; and a multipath determination unit for determining whether a reception signal from the variable directivity antenna is in a multipath state in accordance with the reception signal.