Wireless communication system using distributed switched antennas

摘要

Increased coverage and macro diversity from a single base station (110) in a wireless communication system by having the base station coupled to N antennas (118A-118D) is described. Increased coverage and macro diversity are achieved by transmitting from the base station (110) N control messages each via one of the antennas (118A-118D), and transmitting a data message addressed to a mobile unit (144) via a particular one of the antennas previously assigned to the mobile unit for an active call. The mobile unit receives the control messages and the data message and analyzes the control messages to identify from the antennas a "best" antenna. The mobile unit (144) then transmits to the base station (110) a new antenna request identifying the best antenna in an uplink control slot of a frame. The uplink control field is associated with the particular one of the antennas. The base station uses the best antenna to transmit subsequent data messages addressed to the mobile unit. A random access technique, to allow mobile units that are going from an inactive status to an active status, is provided by connecting all base station antennas together during non-call-affiliated slots in the uplink portion of the frame.