A CONFIGURABLE ANTENNA AND METHOD OF OPERATING SUCH A CONFIGURABLE ANTENNA

摘要

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. Moreover a wireless network controller to provide a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network are also provided. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the uniform circular antenna array. The uniform circular antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.