METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM STEERING IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided that allows M transceivers to transmit/receive using M2<N> distinct beams using passive beam steering. This provides for the use of arbitrary narrow beams with a number of transceivers that is a fraction of the number of beams but ensures 360 DEG coverage. In other words it permits significant improvements in the link budget with a minimal rise in the cost of the BS. The apparatus includes M distribution switches applied to 2<N> passive beam forming networks each coupled to M antennas. The method and apparatus are compatible with TDM in the downlink and TDMA in the uplink.