摘要 |
A communications network having n operating frequencies, e.g. f1, f2, comprises a base station (BS) 1 and a plurality of relay stations (RS1, RS2) 3, 7. Each relay station 3, 7 is capable of receiving signals transmitted at a first frequency and re-transmitting the received signals at a second frequency. The base station 1 and relay stations 3, 7 comprise directional antennas so that the network is arranged to support n communication devices, e.g. MS1 5, MS2 9, in direct or indirect communication with the base station 1. The directional antennas may comprise beam-forming or adaptive antenna arrays wherein the base station 1 is capable of beam-forming up to n different transmission signals simultaneously and each relay station 3, 7 is capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting a plurality of beam-formed signals. The base station 1 may also be able to monitor and control the power of signals transmitted from the relay stations 3, 7. |