DIVIDABLE TRANSMIT ANTENNA ARRAY FOR A CELLULAR BASE STATION AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

摘要

A time division multiple access base station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations in a cellular communications system using a plurality of time division multiple access (TDMA) time slots. The base station includes an antenna, a modulator, and a radio frequency switch. The antenna includes an array of transmit antenna elements. The modulator generates a first cellular radio signal for transmission during a first time division multiple access (TDMA) time slot, as well as second and third cellular radio signals for simultaneous transmission during a second time division multiple access (TDMA) time slot. In addition, the second and third cellular radio signals are generated on different frequencies. The radio frequency switch couples the first cellular radio signal to a first plurality of the transmit antenna elements during the first time division multiple access (TDMA) time slot, while coupling the second and third cellular radio signals to respective second and third pluralities of the transmit antenna elements during the second time division multiple access (TDMA) time slot.