The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
May. 29, 1998
Edward M Newman, Nesconset, NY (US);
Alfred R Lopez, Commack, NY (US);
Marconi Aerospace Systems Inc., Greenlawn, NY (US);
Abstract
Cellular antenna systems are provided for airship-type support at a position in the stratosphere. A single antenna system (20) may provide cellular communication for earth-based users located anywhere within a circle 400 miles in diameter (10). By use of array assemblies (21a) each providing 12 side-by-side beam positions per quadrant, with higher and lower elevation beams (32a', 36a') at each beam position, coverage can be provided for 96 cells arranged side-by-side in inner and outer annular bands (10). A turnstile-type antenna (26) provides coverage for a 97th central circular cell. By allocation of available groups of cellular frequencies in repetitive patterns around the outer annular band (1-6, FIG. 1), with frequency reuse in offset positions around the inner annular band, 16 times frequency reuse is provided while maintaining acceptable co-channel interference levels. A total number of channels of the order of 5,800 channels is thus provided for AMPS band A or band B usage with a single antenna system. Arrangements employing 6 dB attenuation (60) of signal levels at array edge elements provide reduced co-channel interference without diminishing antenna system gain at beam crossover angles.