Northern Telecom Limited

Nortel Networks Corporation

Other

Peter John Chrystie

Keith Roy Broome

Stuart James Dean

Jeffrey G Searle

Christopher R Cox

Keith Russell Edwards

Stephen J Westlake

Mark K Thomas

Paul Barton

Timothy R Hankins

Rachel Swindell

Stuart J Dean

The present invention relates to a method of increasing capacity in a fixed wireless access communications network. The invention also relates to a computer system for implementing the method, a computer program for controlling the computer system and a communications network deployed using the method. The invention, provides a method of increasing capacity in a fixed wireless access network comprising the step of installing an additional base station within an existing cellular deployment plan. The invention alms to minimise the loss of service to existing customers during a capacity upgrade for a fixed wireless access system. The concept of reducing service outage is typically regarded by operators as a higher priority than minimising the time taken or the amount of resource used in order to provide seamless service transition when a subscriber's antenna is re-oriented. The present invention thereby enables a minimum of visits by personnel in connection with this process, for RSS repointing.

Method of increasing capacity in a fixed wireless access network in which subscribers communicate with base stations via directional antennas

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.

Method of installation for a fixed wireless access subscriber antenna

A base station antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the totality of beams formed by the arrays provides a substantially omni-directional coverage in azimuth, azimuth and elevation beamforming means for each array, a plurality of r.f. transceivers each for transmitting and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls, switching matrix means for connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via the beamforming means, control means for controlling the switching matrix means whereby a particular transceiver is connected to a particular array via the beamforming means to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by one of the narrow beams.

Base station antenna arrangement

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.

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means for receiving r.f. signals for a given call include a plurality of receive amplifiers (62; FIG. 6a) one for each beam of an antenna array, means for combining the outputs of the plurality of receive amplifiers, switching means for applying the combined receive signals to the r.f. transceiver handling the given call; and a single power amplifier (52; FIG. 6a) for transmitting r.f. signals for the given call for applying the transceiver transmit signal to an individual one of the beams.

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means are provided for selecting (72, 80, 82; FIG. 6b) for a given call more than one of the best received signals from the multiplicity of narrow overlapping beams and for combining the selected signals to form a single receive signal input for an r.f. transceiver for the given call.

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the of beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means are provided for recognizing unique identifier signals (70; FIG. 6b) incorporated in call signals passing through the antenna; and coherent detection means for discriminating between unwanted call signals and wanted call signals using said unique identifier signals.

A smart antenna for a base station comprises a plurality of antenna arrays each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the totality of beams formed by the arrays provides a substantially omni-directional coverage in azimuth A plurality of r.f. transceivers is provided each for transmitting and receiving r.f. signals for one or more calls, with switching matrix means for connecting each transceiver with one or other of the arrays via beamformers. Each transceiver is connected by a switch matrix to a particular array to exchange r.f. signals with a remote station located in the area covered by one of the narrow overlapping beams. Means are provided for selecting for a given call more than one of the best received signals from the multiplicity of narrow overlapping beams and the selected signals are combined to form a single receive signal input for the r.f. transceiver for the given call.

An antenna for a base station comprising a plurality of antenna arrays (40; FIG. 6a) each capable of forming a multiplicity of separate overlapping narrow beams in azimuth, the arrays being positioned such that the of beams formed by the arrays provide a coverage in azimuth wider than each array. Means (54; FIG. 6a) are provided for independent adjustment of receiver gain and/or transmitter radiated power level of individual beams.

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Galmpton, United Kingdom

Peter John Chrystie