CA2468379A1 - Improvements on three-dimensional space coverage cellular network - Google Patents
Improvements on three-dimensional space coverage cellular network Download PDFInfo
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- CA2468379A1 CA2468379A1 CA 2468379 CA2468379A CA2468379A1 CA 2468379 A1 CA2468379 A1 CA 2468379A1 CA 2468379 CA2468379 CA 2468379 CA 2468379 A CA2468379 A CA 2468379A CA 2468379 A1 CA2468379 A1 CA 2468379A1
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- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 155
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 3
- 102000047724 Member 2 Solute Carrier Family 12 Human genes 0.000 description 2
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
- H04W16/24—Cell structures
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Abstract
Network, method and base station are disclosed to improve cellular radio signals coverage in three-dimensional space for a cellular telecommunication system. Cellular signals from a base station are distributed to its local and remote base station antennas through communications links and are radiated from them downward to cover ground and upward to cover space above ground in the cell of the base station, so as to improve the base station coverage in three-dimensional space and meanwhile avoid interferences. The cellular signals are amplified in a repeater to compensate their loss in the communications link between the base station and its remote base station antenna.
Description
IMPROVEMENTS ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE
COVERAGE CELLULAR NETWORK
Cross-References to Related Applications This invention is improvements of three-dimensional space coverage cellular network base on applicant's previous invention of Canada patent application no. 2,393,552, filed on July 31, 2002 and PCT
patent application no. PCTIIB20031003022, filed on July 30, 2003.
Field of The Invention This invention relates to cellular radio signals coverage on ground and in space above ground for a cellular telecommunication system, including mobile and fixed cellular telecommunication system.
Background Traditional cellular telecommunication network covers ground only with down-tilt base station antennas.
Basically it is a two-dimensional space coverage network. The reference invention mentioned above has described a cellular network, method and base station in three-dimensional space coverage for a cellular telecommunication system. Its basic concept is to achieve macro coverage in space above ground by adding up-tilt antenna to a base station, meanwhile to eliminate interferences (within certain height above ground) by its beam up-tilting and by sharing base station transceivers between the up-tilt antenna and the down-tilt antenna of the base station. Up-tilt antenna expands base station coverage from ground into space above ground in a cell of a base station, so as to form a three-dimensional space coverage cell. An application example of the three-dimensional space coverage cellular network is the coverage of high-rise buildings in a city. It successfully solves coverage, cost and interference problems simultaneously.
Terrain changes, like hills and valleys, create blind areas in cellular signals coverage. Dense buildings in a city also block cellular signals coverage. Though the reference invention mentioned above provides a macro coverage solution in three-dimensional space, hills and buildings still create blind areas on ground and in space above ground where are lacks of cellular signals coverage in a cellular network. Also the location of an existing base station may not be ideal to add up-tilt antennas to the base station to cover high-rise buildings in its cell. These problems will be solved by present invention described below.
COVERAGE CELLULAR NETWORK
Cross-References to Related Applications This invention is improvements of three-dimensional space coverage cellular network base on applicant's previous invention of Canada patent application no. 2,393,552, filed on July 31, 2002 and PCT
patent application no. PCTIIB20031003022, filed on July 30, 2003.
Field of The Invention This invention relates to cellular radio signals coverage on ground and in space above ground for a cellular telecommunication system, including mobile and fixed cellular telecommunication system.
Background Traditional cellular telecommunication network covers ground only with down-tilt base station antennas.
Basically it is a two-dimensional space coverage network. The reference invention mentioned above has described a cellular network, method and base station in three-dimensional space coverage for a cellular telecommunication system. Its basic concept is to achieve macro coverage in space above ground by adding up-tilt antenna to a base station, meanwhile to eliminate interferences (within certain height above ground) by its beam up-tilting and by sharing base station transceivers between the up-tilt antenna and the down-tilt antenna of the base station. Up-tilt antenna expands base station coverage from ground into space above ground in a cell of a base station, so as to form a three-dimensional space coverage cell. An application example of the three-dimensional space coverage cellular network is the coverage of high-rise buildings in a city. It successfully solves coverage, cost and interference problems simultaneously.
Terrain changes, like hills and valleys, create blind areas in cellular signals coverage. Dense buildings in a city also block cellular signals coverage. Though the reference invention mentioned above provides a macro coverage solution in three-dimensional space, hills and buildings still create blind areas on ground and in space above ground where are lacks of cellular signals coverage in a cellular network. Also the location of an existing base station may not be ideal to add up-tilt antennas to the base station to cover high-rise buildings in its cell. These problems will be solved by present invention described below.
- 2 -Summary A cellular telecommunication network (simply called "cellular network") of this invention improves its cellular signals' coverage in three-dimensional space by extending, amplifying and radiating cellular radio signals on ground andlor in space above ground in at least one of the cells of the cellular network, meanwhile eliminates interferences by sharing the transmitters and receivers of the base station of the cell between its local and remote down-tilt and up-tilt base station antennas and by beam down-tilting and up-tilting of these antennas. The cellular network may further improves its cellular radio signals' coverage in space above ground by extending, amplifying and radiating cellular radio signals in space above ground in at least one of the upward cells of the cellular network, meanwhile eliminates interferences by sharing the transmitters and receivers of the base station of the upward cell between its local and remote up-tilt base station antennas and by beam up-tilting of these antennas. Each remote antenna couples to its base station through a communications link, which includes at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic link and wireless link. A device (repeater, for example) is imbedded in the communications link. It amplifies cellular signals to compensate their loss in the communications link. So the cellular network of this invention provides an economic, interference-free and flexible solution on three-dimensional space coverage in a geographical area. (Radio signal, or simply called "signal", is detectable radio energy that carry information generated by a transmitter or by a subscriber radio station.
Cellular radio signal, or simply call "cellular signal", is radio signal carried in cellular radio frequency.
Upward cell is a cell in a cellular network that has coverage extent in space above ground and is covered by at least one up-tilt base station antenna. Local means proximately the same location of base station transceivers. Remote means relative far away from base station transceivers. Down-tilt antenna has its major lobe of radiation points downward.
Up-tilt antenna has its major lobe of radiation points upward).
This invention also provides a method about how to improve cellular signals' coverage in three-dimensional space in an economic, interference-free and flexible way in a cellular network. It also provides a base station that improves its coverage in three-dimensional space in the cell of the base station.
A cellular network of this invention comprises a plurality of base stations in a geographical area. It provides cellular telecommunication services in the geographical area. The geographical area is divided into a plurality of cells. Each base station provides radio signals to subscriber stations in its cell. At least one base station of the cellular network has three-dimensional space coverage extent on ground and in space above ground in its cell. The base station comprises at least a transmitter, two antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station, and within a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells of the cellular network. The first one of the two antennas is coupled to the
Cellular radio signal, or simply call "cellular signal", is radio signal carried in cellular radio frequency.
Upward cell is a cell in a cellular network that has coverage extent in space above ground and is covered by at least one up-tilt base station antenna. Local means proximately the same location of base station transceivers. Remote means relative far away from base station transceivers. Down-tilt antenna has its major lobe of radiation points downward.
Up-tilt antenna has its major lobe of radiation points upward).
This invention also provides a method about how to improve cellular signals' coverage in three-dimensional space in an economic, interference-free and flexible way in a cellular network. It also provides a base station that improves its coverage in three-dimensional space in the cell of the base station.
A cellular network of this invention comprises a plurality of base stations in a geographical area. It provides cellular telecommunication services in the geographical area. The geographical area is divided into a plurality of cells. Each base station provides radio signals to subscriber stations in its cell. At least one base station of the cellular network has three-dimensional space coverage extent on ground and in space above ground in its cell. The base station comprises at least a transmitter, two antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station, and within a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells of the cellular network. The first one of the two antennas is coupled to the
-3-transmitter through the first one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward; the second one of the two antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the second one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward; so as to radiate the radio signal within the cell of the base station below the first antenna and above the second antenna, meanwhile limit the radio signal from radiating into other cells of the cellular network within which the radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other base stations of the cellular network. The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio signal generated from the transmitter to compensate the radio signal's loss in the communications link in which it is imbedded. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings:
cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in its cell and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to the first antenna through the first communications link and the second antenna through the second communications link, so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example). Both antennas may be substantially located far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so the radio signal of the transmitter is radiated in different directions (downward and upward) from different antennas in different locations (local and remote) to improve its coverage on ground and in space above ground in the cell of the bas station. (Antenna radiation pattern is the variation of the field intensity of the antenna as an angular function with respect to the axis.) The cellular network of this invention may further comprise at least another one of its base stations, which has coverage extent in a space above ground. The base station comprises at least a transmitter, two up-tilt antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station, and within a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells of the cellular network. One of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward; another one of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through another one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward as well; so as to radiate the radio signal within the cell of the base station from both of the two up-tilt antennas, meanwhile limit the radio signal from radiating into other cells of the cellular network within which the radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other base stations of the cellular network.
The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio signal generated from the transmitter to compensate
cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in its cell and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to the first antenna through the first communications link and the second antenna through the second communications link, so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example). Both antennas may be substantially located far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so the radio signal of the transmitter is radiated in different directions (downward and upward) from different antennas in different locations (local and remote) to improve its coverage on ground and in space above ground in the cell of the bas station. (Antenna radiation pattern is the variation of the field intensity of the antenna as an angular function with respect to the axis.) The cellular network of this invention may further comprise at least another one of its base stations, which has coverage extent in a space above ground. The base station comprises at least a transmitter, two up-tilt antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station, and within a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells of the cellular network. One of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward; another one of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through another one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward as well; so as to radiate the radio signal within the cell of the base station from both of the two up-tilt antennas, meanwhile limit the radio signal from radiating into other cells of the cellular network within which the radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other base stations of the cellular network.
The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio signal generated from the transmitter to compensate
-4-the radio signal's loss in the communications link in which it is imbedded.
Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in the cell of the base station and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to one of the two up-tilt antennas through the same communications link through which the transmitter is coupled to the antenna; the receiver may be coupled to another one of the two up-tilt antennas through the same communications link through which the transmitter is coupled to the antenna; so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two up-tilt antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example). Both up-tilt antennas may be located substantially far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so the radio signal of the transmitter is radiated upward from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage in space above ground in the cell of the base station.
A method of this invention, for providing cellular telecommunication service in a geographical area where is divided into a plurality of cells, comprises the flowing process:
generating a plurality of radio signals, each to be provided to subscriber stations in an associated one of the cells and having a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of the cells; providing each of the radio signals to its associated cell, wherein at least one of the radio signals is provided to its cell by transmitting it into the first antenna through the first communications link and radiating it from the first antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward, and by transmitting it into the second antenna through the second communications link and radiating it from the second antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and by amplifying it in at least one of the two communications links. So the radio signal is provided within its cell below the first antenna and above the second antenna, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link. The method further comprises the process of amplifying and receiving at least one radio signal from a subscriber station in the cell. The subscriber station's radio signal may be received through at least one of the two antennas. The radio signal and the subscriber station's radio signal may be amplified in the same communications link. Both antennas may be located substantially far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so the radio signal is provided in different directions (upward and downward) from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage on ground and in space above ground in its cell.
The method of this invention may further comprises the following process:
providing another one of the radio signals to another cell which is associated to it by transmitting it into one up-tilt antenna through a communications link and radiating it from the up-tilt antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and by transmitting it into another up-tilt antenna through another communications link and radiating it from the another up-tilt antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe also pointed upward, and by amplifying it in at least one of the two communications links. So the radio signal is provided within its cell from both antennas, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link. The method further comprises the process of amplifying and receiving at least one radio signal from a subscriber station in the cell. The subscriber station's radio signal may be received through at least one of the two antennas. The radio signal and the subscriber station's radio signal may be amplified in the same communications link. Both antennas may be located substantially far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so another radio signal is provided in upward direction from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage in space above ground in its cell.
A base station of a cellular network of this invention comprises at least a transmitter, two antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The cellular network is adapted to providing a plurality of cellular radio signals in a geographical area where is divided into a plurality of cells.
The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station. It operates at a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells. The first one of the two antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the first one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward. The second one of the two antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the second one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward. The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio signal to compensate the radio signal's loss in the communications link in which it is imbedded. So the radio signal is radiated within the cell of the base station below the first antenna and above the second antenna, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals of the cellular network.
Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the following:
cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in its cell and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to the first antenna through the first communications link and the second antenna through the second communications link, so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example). The two antennas may be located substantially far away from each other, so the radio signal is provided in different directions (upward and downward) from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage on ground and in space above ground in the cell of the base station.
Another base station of a cellular network of this invention comprises at least a transmitter, two up-tilt antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The cellular network is adapted to providing a plurality of cellular radio signals in a geographical area where is divided into a plurality of cells. The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station.
It operates at a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells. The first one of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the first one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward. The second one of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the second one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe also pointed upward. So the radio signal is radiated within the cell of the base station from both antennas, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals of the cellular network, The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio to compensate the radio signal's loss in the communications link in which it is imbedded. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the following: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in its cell and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to the first up-tilt antenna through the first communications link and the second up-tilt antenna through the second communications link, so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two up-tilt antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example).
The two up-tilt antennas may be located substantially far away from each other, so the radio signal is provided in upward direction from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage in space above ground in the cell of the base station.
Brief Description of The Drawings FIG.1A: Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a ground cell base station through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.1 B: Remote down-tilt antenna couples to an upward cell base station through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage on ground.
FIG.1C: Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a base station of three-dimensional space coverage cell through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
_ 7 FIG.1 D: Remote up-tilt antenna couples to an upward cell base station through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.1 E; Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a ground cell base station through a cable communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.1 F; Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a ground cell base station through a fibre optic cable communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.2A; An embodiment of a macro ground cell and its micro upward cells with a shared base station.
FIG.2B: The space coverage profile of base station in FIG.2A.
FIG.2C: An embodiment of a macro upward cell and its micro upward cells with a shared base station.
FIG.2D: The space coverage profile of base station in FIG.2C.
FIG.2E: An embodiment of a macro upward cell and its micro ground cells with a shared base station.
FIG.2F: The space coverage profile of base station in FIG.2E.
FIG.3: An embodiment of a cellular network of this invention.
Detailed Descriptions The basic idea of this invention is to expand cellular signals of a cellular base station to its remote base station antenna and radiate the cellular signals from it upward to cover blind space above ground andlor downward to cover blind area on ground in the cell of the bas station.
FIG.1A to 1 F are six embodiments of the base station of this invention.
FIG,1A describes a base station of a ground cell in a cellular network uses remote up-tilt antenna to expand its coverage in space above ground. Sector antenna 1 of ground cell couples to base station transmitters (TXs) and receivers (RXs) of base station transceivers system (BTS) 5 with cable 4. It is mounted on pole 3a. Its major lobe tilts down ~3 degree (5°, for example) from the horizontal plane in its mounting position to cover a ground sector. Arrow 51 is the axis of major lobe of an antenna. Antenna 1 acts as both a transmitting antenna by radiating cellular signals generated from TXs of BTS 5 into the ground sector and a receiving antenna by receiving cellular radio signals generated from subscriber stations (a mobile phone, for example) in the ground sector, (Other sector antennas cover other sectors of the ground cell are not shown in the diagram). Directional antenna 52 acts as a donor antenna for repeater 53. It couples to the input of repeater 53 through cable 4. It is mounted on pole 3b. Antenna 52 faces antenna 1. Its major lobe tilts up 8 degree (5°, for example) from the horizontal plane in its mounting _ g _ position to pick up cellular signals radiated from antenna 1 in downlink direction and to transmit cellular signals from repeater 53 to antenna 1 in uplink direction. Antenna 52 acts as both transmitting and receiving antenna. It may locate somewhere close to a blind space above ground where need to be cover inside the ground cell. Antenna 1, 52 and free space between them form a wireless communications link.
Omni-directional antenna 62 acts as a server antenna for repeater 53. It couples to the output of repeater 53 through cable 4. It is mounted on pole 3c. Its major lobe tilts up a1 degree (8°, for example) from the horizontal plane in its mounting position. Antenna 62 covers space above ground around it. Its coverage space forms a micro upward cell inside the ground cell. Antenna 62 acts as both transmitting and receiving antenna. It radiates cellular signals from repeater 53 into its micro upward cell in downlink direction and receives cellular signals radiated from subscriber stations in its micro upward cell in uplink direction. It may locate somewhere close to the blind space. Repeater 53 amplifies the cellular signals generated from the base station transmitters in downlink. It also amplifies the cellular signals radiated from subscriber stations in the ground cell. It comprises at least one amplifier in its downlink circuit and at least another amplifier in its uplink circuit to boost cellular signals in both directions. It is imbedded in the communications link between BTS 5 and remote antenna 62. (A micro cell is a cell, but it has relative smaller coverage extent than a regular cell, or a macro cell. Downlink is a communications link from a base station transmitter to a subscriber station. Uplink is a communication link from a subscriber station to a base station receiver.) The base station in FIG.1A works as fellow. In downlink direction, BTS 5 radiates cellular signals from its transmitters into antenna 1 through its connecting cable 4. Then the cellular signals radiates downward from antenna 1 into its ground cell. Donor antenna 52 picks them up off air and feeds them into repeater 53 through its connecting cable 4. These cellular signals are amplified in repeater 53. The amplified cellular signals then are fed into server antenna 62 through its connecting cable 4 and are radiated upward by server antenna 62 to cover space above ground around it. Then subscriber stations (cellular phones, for example) inside the cell of the base station can pick up these cellular signals from antenna 1, or from antenna 62, or from both, depending on their positions inside the cell. In uplink direction, a subscriber station (not shown in the diagram) inside the cell radiates its cellular radio signal. The cellular radio signal is picked up by antenna 1, or by antenna 62, or by both, depending on the position of the subscriber station in the cell. If it is pick up by antenna 1, then it is fed into the receivers of BTS 5 through its connecting cable 4 and received by them. If it is pick up by antenna 62, then it is fed into repeater 53 through its connecting cable 4 and is amplified in repeater 53. The amplified cellular radio signal then is fed into antenna 52 through its connecting cable 4 and is radiated upward from antenna 52. Antenna 1 picks it up off air and feeds it into the receivers of BTS 5 through its connection cable 4. Then the receivers receive it.
If it is picked up by both antenna 1 and 62, then the received cellular radio signals from antenna 1 and 62 are combined in the receivers of BTS 5 and received by the receivers. So communication is established between the subscriber station and the base station (BTS 5). Remote antenna 62 reshapes its base station coverage in three-dimensional space. As remote base station antenna can be located anywhere and there is no limit how many remote base station antennas can be added to a base station, almost any shape of a three-dimensional space coverage cell that matches the reality coverage needs can be achieved.
FIG.1 B describes a base station of an upward cell in a cellular network uses remote down-tilt antenna to expand its coverage to ground. The system configuration in FIG.1 B is similar to the system configuration in FIG.1A. In FIG.1 B, the local base station antenna is replaced by omni-directional antenna 10; the remote base station antenna is replaced by sector antenna 63; and ground cell BTS 5 is replaced by upward cell BTS 15. The major lobe of antenna 10 tilts up a degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position and covers an upward cell. The major lobe of antenna 63 tilts down (31 degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position and covers part of ground area in the upward cell. While donor antenna 52 in FIG.1 B
is down tilted E degree to face local antenna 10. Remote antenna 63 couples to base station through cables, repeater 53 and wireless communications link between antenna 10 and 52. The system working procedure in FIG.1 B is the same as in FIG,1A. Local antenna 10 covers space above ground in the cell of BTS 15. Remote antenna 63 expands base station coverage to part of ground area inside the cell of BTS
15. It reshapes base station coverage in three-dimensional space.
FIG.1 C describes a base station of a three-dimensional space coverage cell in a cellular network uses remote up-tilt antenna to expand its coverage in space above ground. The system configuration in FIG.1C
is same to the system configuration in FIG.1A except there is an extra directional antenna 10a mounted in pole 3a and coupled to BTS 5 through cable 4 and splitterlcombiner 30 (or a coupler). Its beam tilts upward a degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position to cover space above ground in the cell of BTS
Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in the cell of the base station and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to one of the two up-tilt antennas through the same communications link through which the transmitter is coupled to the antenna; the receiver may be coupled to another one of the two up-tilt antennas through the same communications link through which the transmitter is coupled to the antenna; so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two up-tilt antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example). Both up-tilt antennas may be located substantially far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so the radio signal of the transmitter is radiated upward from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage in space above ground in the cell of the base station.
A method of this invention, for providing cellular telecommunication service in a geographical area where is divided into a plurality of cells, comprises the flowing process:
generating a plurality of radio signals, each to be provided to subscriber stations in an associated one of the cells and having a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of the cells; providing each of the radio signals to its associated cell, wherein at least one of the radio signals is provided to its cell by transmitting it into the first antenna through the first communications link and radiating it from the first antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward, and by transmitting it into the second antenna through the second communications link and radiating it from the second antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and by amplifying it in at least one of the two communications links. So the radio signal is provided within its cell below the first antenna and above the second antenna, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link. The method further comprises the process of amplifying and receiving at least one radio signal from a subscriber station in the cell. The subscriber station's radio signal may be received through at least one of the two antennas. The radio signal and the subscriber station's radio signal may be amplified in the same communications link. Both antennas may be located substantially far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so the radio signal is provided in different directions (upward and downward) from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage on ground and in space above ground in its cell.
The method of this invention may further comprises the following process:
providing another one of the radio signals to another cell which is associated to it by transmitting it into one up-tilt antenna through a communications link and radiating it from the up-tilt antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and by transmitting it into another up-tilt antenna through another communications link and radiating it from the another up-tilt antenna in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe also pointed upward, and by amplifying it in at least one of the two communications links. So the radio signal is provided within its cell from both antennas, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link. The method further comprises the process of amplifying and receiving at least one radio signal from a subscriber station in the cell. The subscriber station's radio signal may be received through at least one of the two antennas. The radio signal and the subscriber station's radio signal may be amplified in the same communications link. Both antennas may be located substantially far away from each other (one local and one remote, for example), so another radio signal is provided in upward direction from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage in space above ground in its cell.
A base station of a cellular network of this invention comprises at least a transmitter, two antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The cellular network is adapted to providing a plurality of cellular radio signals in a geographical area where is divided into a plurality of cells.
The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station. It operates at a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells. The first one of the two antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the first one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward. The second one of the two antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the second one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward. The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio signal to compensate the radio signal's loss in the communications link in which it is imbedded. So the radio signal is radiated within the cell of the base station below the first antenna and above the second antenna, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals of the cellular network.
Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the following:
cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in its cell and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to the first antenna through the first communications link and the second antenna through the second communications link, so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example). The two antennas may be located substantially far away from each other, so the radio signal is provided in different directions (upward and downward) from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage on ground and in space above ground in the cell of the base station.
Another base station of a cellular network of this invention comprises at least a transmitter, two up-tilt antennas, two communications links and a device for amplifying cellular radio signals. The cellular network is adapted to providing a plurality of cellular radio signals in a geographical area where is divided into a plurality of cells. The transmitter generates a radio signal to be provided within the cell of the base station.
It operates at a frequency range that is reusable in more than one of the cells. The first one of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the first one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward. The second one of the two up-tilt antennas is coupled to the transmitter through the second one of the two communications links for radiating the radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe also pointed upward. So the radio signal is radiated within the cell of the base station from both antennas, meanwhile it is limited from radiating into other cells within which it may interfere with other radio signals of the cellular network, The device is imbedded in one of the two communications links. It amplifies the radio to compensate the radio signal's loss in the communications link in which it is imbedded. Each of the two communications links comprises at least one of the following: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link. The base station further comprises at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in its cell and another device for amplifying these subscriber stations' radio signals before the receiver receives them. The receiver may be coupled to the first up-tilt antenna through the first communications link and the second up-tilt antenna through the second communications link, so as to receive these subscriber stations' radio signals through at least one of the two up-tilt antennas. The two devices may be integrally formed into one device (a repeater, for example).
The two up-tilt antennas may be located substantially far away from each other, so the radio signal is provided in upward direction from different antennas in different locations to improve its coverage in space above ground in the cell of the base station.
Brief Description of The Drawings FIG.1A: Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a ground cell base station through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.1 B: Remote down-tilt antenna couples to an upward cell base station through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage on ground.
FIG.1C: Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a base station of three-dimensional space coverage cell through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
_ 7 FIG.1 D: Remote up-tilt antenna couples to an upward cell base station through a wireless communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.1 E; Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a ground cell base station through a cable communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.1 F; Remote up-tilt antenna couples to a ground cell base station through a fibre optic cable communications link and a repeater to expand its coverage in space above ground.
FIG.2A; An embodiment of a macro ground cell and its micro upward cells with a shared base station.
FIG.2B: The space coverage profile of base station in FIG.2A.
FIG.2C: An embodiment of a macro upward cell and its micro upward cells with a shared base station.
FIG.2D: The space coverage profile of base station in FIG.2C.
FIG.2E: An embodiment of a macro upward cell and its micro ground cells with a shared base station.
FIG.2F: The space coverage profile of base station in FIG.2E.
FIG.3: An embodiment of a cellular network of this invention.
Detailed Descriptions The basic idea of this invention is to expand cellular signals of a cellular base station to its remote base station antenna and radiate the cellular signals from it upward to cover blind space above ground andlor downward to cover blind area on ground in the cell of the bas station.
FIG.1A to 1 F are six embodiments of the base station of this invention.
FIG,1A describes a base station of a ground cell in a cellular network uses remote up-tilt antenna to expand its coverage in space above ground. Sector antenna 1 of ground cell couples to base station transmitters (TXs) and receivers (RXs) of base station transceivers system (BTS) 5 with cable 4. It is mounted on pole 3a. Its major lobe tilts down ~3 degree (5°, for example) from the horizontal plane in its mounting position to cover a ground sector. Arrow 51 is the axis of major lobe of an antenna. Antenna 1 acts as both a transmitting antenna by radiating cellular signals generated from TXs of BTS 5 into the ground sector and a receiving antenna by receiving cellular radio signals generated from subscriber stations (a mobile phone, for example) in the ground sector, (Other sector antennas cover other sectors of the ground cell are not shown in the diagram). Directional antenna 52 acts as a donor antenna for repeater 53. It couples to the input of repeater 53 through cable 4. It is mounted on pole 3b. Antenna 52 faces antenna 1. Its major lobe tilts up 8 degree (5°, for example) from the horizontal plane in its mounting _ g _ position to pick up cellular signals radiated from antenna 1 in downlink direction and to transmit cellular signals from repeater 53 to antenna 1 in uplink direction. Antenna 52 acts as both transmitting and receiving antenna. It may locate somewhere close to a blind space above ground where need to be cover inside the ground cell. Antenna 1, 52 and free space between them form a wireless communications link.
Omni-directional antenna 62 acts as a server antenna for repeater 53. It couples to the output of repeater 53 through cable 4. It is mounted on pole 3c. Its major lobe tilts up a1 degree (8°, for example) from the horizontal plane in its mounting position. Antenna 62 covers space above ground around it. Its coverage space forms a micro upward cell inside the ground cell. Antenna 62 acts as both transmitting and receiving antenna. It radiates cellular signals from repeater 53 into its micro upward cell in downlink direction and receives cellular signals radiated from subscriber stations in its micro upward cell in uplink direction. It may locate somewhere close to the blind space. Repeater 53 amplifies the cellular signals generated from the base station transmitters in downlink. It also amplifies the cellular signals radiated from subscriber stations in the ground cell. It comprises at least one amplifier in its downlink circuit and at least another amplifier in its uplink circuit to boost cellular signals in both directions. It is imbedded in the communications link between BTS 5 and remote antenna 62. (A micro cell is a cell, but it has relative smaller coverage extent than a regular cell, or a macro cell. Downlink is a communications link from a base station transmitter to a subscriber station. Uplink is a communication link from a subscriber station to a base station receiver.) The base station in FIG.1A works as fellow. In downlink direction, BTS 5 radiates cellular signals from its transmitters into antenna 1 through its connecting cable 4. Then the cellular signals radiates downward from antenna 1 into its ground cell. Donor antenna 52 picks them up off air and feeds them into repeater 53 through its connecting cable 4. These cellular signals are amplified in repeater 53. The amplified cellular signals then are fed into server antenna 62 through its connecting cable 4 and are radiated upward by server antenna 62 to cover space above ground around it. Then subscriber stations (cellular phones, for example) inside the cell of the base station can pick up these cellular signals from antenna 1, or from antenna 62, or from both, depending on their positions inside the cell. In uplink direction, a subscriber station (not shown in the diagram) inside the cell radiates its cellular radio signal. The cellular radio signal is picked up by antenna 1, or by antenna 62, or by both, depending on the position of the subscriber station in the cell. If it is pick up by antenna 1, then it is fed into the receivers of BTS 5 through its connecting cable 4 and received by them. If it is pick up by antenna 62, then it is fed into repeater 53 through its connecting cable 4 and is amplified in repeater 53. The amplified cellular radio signal then is fed into antenna 52 through its connecting cable 4 and is radiated upward from antenna 52. Antenna 1 picks it up off air and feeds it into the receivers of BTS 5 through its connection cable 4. Then the receivers receive it.
If it is picked up by both antenna 1 and 62, then the received cellular radio signals from antenna 1 and 62 are combined in the receivers of BTS 5 and received by the receivers. So communication is established between the subscriber station and the base station (BTS 5). Remote antenna 62 reshapes its base station coverage in three-dimensional space. As remote base station antenna can be located anywhere and there is no limit how many remote base station antennas can be added to a base station, almost any shape of a three-dimensional space coverage cell that matches the reality coverage needs can be achieved.
FIG.1 B describes a base station of an upward cell in a cellular network uses remote down-tilt antenna to expand its coverage to ground. The system configuration in FIG.1 B is similar to the system configuration in FIG.1A. In FIG.1 B, the local base station antenna is replaced by omni-directional antenna 10; the remote base station antenna is replaced by sector antenna 63; and ground cell BTS 5 is replaced by upward cell BTS 15. The major lobe of antenna 10 tilts up a degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position and covers an upward cell. The major lobe of antenna 63 tilts down (31 degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position and covers part of ground area in the upward cell. While donor antenna 52 in FIG.1 B
is down tilted E degree to face local antenna 10. Remote antenna 63 couples to base station through cables, repeater 53 and wireless communications link between antenna 10 and 52. The system working procedure in FIG.1 B is the same as in FIG,1A. Local antenna 10 covers space above ground in the cell of BTS 15. Remote antenna 63 expands base station coverage to part of ground area inside the cell of BTS
15. It reshapes base station coverage in three-dimensional space.
FIG.1 C describes a base station of a three-dimensional space coverage cell in a cellular network uses remote up-tilt antenna to expand its coverage in space above ground. The system configuration in FIG.1C
is same to the system configuration in FIG.1A except there is an extra directional antenna 10a mounted in pole 3a and coupled to BTS 5 through cable 4 and splitterlcombiner 30 (or a coupler). Its beam tilts upward a degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position to cover space above ground in the cell of BTS
5. The system working procedure in FIG.1C is the same as in FIG.1A. Though local antennas in FIG.1C
have already covered three-dimensional space in the cell, hills or dense buildings in the cell may still create blind areas on ground andlor blind spaces above ground inside the cell where are lack of cellular signals coverage. It makes sense to introduce base station cellular signals to its remote antennas to cover these blind areas andlor blind spaces, like antenna 62 in this case.
FIG.1 D describes a base station of an upward cell in a cellular network uses remote up-tilt antenna to expand its coverage in space above ground. The system configuration in FIG.1 D
is same to the system configuration in FIG.1 B except that remote antenna 63 in FIG.1 B is replaced by up-tilt omni-directional antenna 62 FIG.1 D. The major lobe of antenna 62 tilts up a1 degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position and covers space above ground around it inside the cell of BTS 15. The system working procedure in FIG.1 D is the same as in FIG.1 B. Remote antenna 62 can. be used to cover blind space above ground inside the upward cell of BTS 15 in FIG.1 D.
FIG.1E describes the same scene as FIG.1A does. The difference is that long cable 4a replaces the wireless communications link in FIG.1A, so there is no donor antenna for repeater 53. Base station cellular signals are split into two ways by splitterlcombiner 30 (or a coupler), with one way feeding into local antenna 1 to cover a sector of a ground cell and with another way feeding into repeater 53 through long cable 4a. The system working procedure in FIG.1E in the same as in FIG.1A, except communications link between base station and remote antenna 62 doesn't include a wireless link section as in FIG.1A. Now it is a pure cable link in FIG.1 E.
FlG.1 F describes the same scene as FlG.1 E does. The difference is that a fibre optic cable system replaces the long cable 4a in FIG.1 E. The fibre optic system comprises base station unit (BU) 54, remote unit (RU) 56, downlink fibre optic cable 55a and uplink fibre optic cable 55b.
As shown in the diagram, base station unit 54 couples to base station transmitters through coupler 30a and couples to base station receivers through coupler 30b in one side. It couples to remote unit 56 through downlink and uplink fibre optic cables 55a and 55b in another side. Remote unit 56 couples to repeater 53 through its connecting cable 4. In downlink direction, base station transmitters generate radio signals. These signals are fed into base station unit 54 and are converted into optic signals in it. Then the optic signals are transmitted into downlink fibre optic cable 55a and are received by remote unit 56. They are converted back into cellular radio signals in remote unit 56. Then the cellular radio signals are fed into repeater 53 and are amplified in it. The amplified cellular radio signals then are fed into antenna 62 through its connecting cable 4 and are radiated in space above ground by antenna 62. In uplink direction, antenna 62 receives radio signals off air generated from subscriber stations in its coverage extent and then feeds them into repeater 53. These signals are amplified in repeater 53 and then are fed into remote unit 56 by repeater 53. Then they are converted into optic signals in remote unit 56. The optic signals are then transmitted into base station unit 54 through uplink fibre optic cable 55b and are converted back into cellular radio signals in it. Then base station receivers receive them from base station unit 54. Device 57 is a diplexer. It couples to antenna 1 in one side and couples to couplers 30a and 30b in another side.
Each antenna in FIG.1A to 1F is used as both transmitting and receiving antennas. Separated transmitting antenna and receiving antenna may be used to replace each of them. Communications link between base station and each antenna In FIG.1A to 1 E is used as both downlink and uplink communications links. Separated downlink communications link and uplink communications link may be used to replace each of them. Each repeater in FIG.1A to 1F is used to boost cellular radio signals in both downlink and uplink directions. A device may be used in a downlink communications link to boost downlink cellular signals only and another device may be used in an uplink communications link to boost uplink cellular signals only. All repeaters in FIG.1A to 1 F are used to boost cellular signals for remote base station antennas. A cellular signal booster may be used for a local antenna if it is necessary. Though each cell in FIG.1A to 1 F is covered by local base station antenna (or antennas), it may be covered by remote base station antenna (or antennas). With repeater boosting cellular signals, the BTS of a cell may be located far away from any coverage antennas of the cell.
In FIG.1A to 1F, local antenna and remote antenna share a common base station through their communications links. The radio signal generated by a transmitter of the base station and radiated from them will not cause interference in subscriber stations in the cell of the base station. Also the radio signal generated by a subscriber station in the cell of the base station and received from them will not cause interference in the receivers of the base station. The beam of local antenna is properly tilted (downward or upward) to cover the cell of the base station. It is limited from radiating into other cells of the cellular network. The beam of remote antenna is properly tilted (upward or downward) also to cover small area inside the cell of the base station. It is limited from radiating into other cells of the cellular network. So any possible interference between the cell of the base station and other cells of the cellular network are limited.
(When this invention is implemented in a terrestrial cellular network to cover ground and high-rise buildings, above certain height in a cell of the cellular network, for example the height of the highest building in the cell, there may be interference signals coming from up-tilt base station antennas in other cells of the cellular network. As there is no subscriber station above that height in the cell, it doesn't affect the cellular network.) The coverage extension of remote base station antenna in FIG.1A to 1F can be considered as a micro cell (or micro sector if the remote antenna is a sector antenna as shown in FIG.1 B). It has relatively smaller coverage range than the macro cell that is covered by local base station antenna (or antennas). FIG.2A to 2F are several embodiments of their relation and coverage profiles in space.
FIG.2A describes three micro upward cells inside a macro ground cell with a shared base station. Macro ground cell 11 (big dashed line circle) has a larger coverage extent on ground. It is covered by local down-tilt antenna (or antennas). Micro upward cells 60a, 60b, and 60c are inside macro cell 11. Each has a smaller coverage extent in space above ground and is covered by up-tilt antenna (or antennas). All of them share the base station (BTS 5) of macro cell 11. The coverage antenna of macro cell 11 couples to BTS 5 with cable 4. Micro upward cell 60a is local; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 5 with link 59a (cable link). Micro upward cell 60b is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 5 through link 59b; device 58b is imbedded in link 59b to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. Micra upward cell 60c is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 5 through link 59c; device 58c is imbedded in link 59c to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. (All these antennas are not shown in FIG.2A). Each communications link 59a, 59b and 59c may be cable link, wireless link, fibre optic link or any possible combinations of them. Each device 58b and 58c comprises at least one cellular signal amplifier in uplink and another cellular signal amplifier in downlink. In FIG.2A, cellular signals from base station (BTS
5) are distributed to local and remote antennas and are radiated from them in different directions (downward and upward) in the cell of the base station; cellular signal from a subscriber station (not shown in the diagram) in the cell is received in the base station from one or more of these antennas (depending on subscriber station's position in the cell). The base station has coverage on ground and in space above ground in its cell. (In FIG.2A, 2C and 2E, the coverage of a micro cell is shown in three-dimensional manner, while the coverage of a macro cell is shown in two-dimensional manner).
FIG.2B describes coverage profile in space of the base station in FIG.2A. As shown in the figure, there are spaces above ground are covered by micro upward cell 60a, 60b and 60c where are not covered by macro ground cell 11. Hatched area 28a is space covered by both macro cell 11 and micro cell 60a;
hatched area 28b is space covered by both macro cell 11 and micro cell 60b;
hatched area 28c is space covered by both macro cell 11 and micro cell 60c. While 29 are spaces above ground inside the macro cell where are not covered by both the macro cell and its micro upward cells.
FIG.2C describes three micro upward cells inside a macro upward cell with a shared base station.
Macro upward cell 21 (big dashed line circle) has a larger coverage extent in space above ground. It is covered by local up-tilt antenna (or antennas). Micro upward cells 60d, 60e, and 60f are inside macro cell 21. Each has a smaller coverage extent in space above ground and is covered by remote up-tilt antenna (or antennas). All of them share the base station (BTS 15) of macro cell 21.
The coverage antenna of macro cell 21 couples to BTS 15 with cable 4. Micro upward cell 60d is remote;
its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 with link 59d; device 58d is imbedded in link 59d to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. Micro upward cell 60e is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59e; device 58e is imbedded in link 59e to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions.
Micro upward cell 60f is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59f; device 58f is imbedded in link 59f to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. (All these antennas are not shown in FIG.2C). Each communications link 59d, 59e and 59f may be cable link, wireless link, fibre optic link or any possible combinations of them. Each device 58d, 58e and 58f comprises at least one cellular signal amplifier in uplink and another cellular signal amplifier in downlink. In FIG.2C, cellular signals from base station (BTS 15) are distributed to local and remote antennas and are radiated upward from them in the cell of the base station; cellular signal from a subscriber station in the cell is received in the base station from one or more of these antennas (depending on subscriber station's position in the cell).
The base station covers more space than its local up-tilt base station antenna (or antennas) covers.
FIG.2D describes coverage profile in space of the base station in FIG.2C. As shown in the figure, there are spaces above ground are covered by micro upward cell 60e and 60f where are not covered by macro upward cell 21. Hatched area 28e is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 60e; hatched area 28f is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 60f.
FIG,2E describes three micro ground cells inside a macro upward cell with a shared base station. Macro upward cell 21 has a larger coverage extent in space above on ground. It is covered by local up-tilt antenna (or antennas). Micro ground cells 61 a, 61 b, and 61 c are inside macro cell 21. Each has a smaller coverage extent on ground and is covered by down-tilt antenna (or antennas).
All of them share the base station (BTS 15) of macro cell 21. The coverage antenna of macro cell 21 couples to BTS 15 with cable 4.
Micro cell 61a is local; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 with link 59g (cable link). Micro cell 61b is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59h; device 58h is imbedded in link 59h to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. Micro cell 61 c is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59i; device 58i is imbedded in link 59i to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. (All these antennas are not shown in FIG.2E). Each communications link 59g, 59h and 59i may be cable link, wireless link, fibre optic link or any possible combinations of them. Each device 58g, 58h and 58i comprises at least one cellular signal amplifier in uplink and another cellular signal amplifier in downlink. In FIG.2E, cellular signals from base station (BTS 15) are distributed to local and remote antennas and are radiated from them in different directions (downward and upward) in the cell of the base station; cellular signal from a subscriber station in the cell is received in the base station from one or more of these antennas (depending on subscriber station's position in the cell). The base station has coverage on ground and in space above ground in its cell.
FIG.2F describes coverage profile in space of the base station in FIG.2E. As shown in the figure, most ground areas inside macro cell 21 where are not covered by macro upward cell 21 are now covered by micro ground cells 61a, 61b and 61c. Hatched area 28g is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 61 a; hatched area 28h is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 61 b; hatched area 28i is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 61c. While 29 are spaces above ground inside the macro cell where are not covered by both the macro cell and its micro ground cells.
A cellular telecommunications network of this invention comprises at least one three-dimensional space coverage base station of this invention. FIG.3 is an embodiment of the cellular network of this invention.
In FIG.3, macro cells 11 a, 21 a, 11 b, 21 c, 11 d, 11 e, 11 f and 21 b compose a mobile cellular network.
While ground cell (big dashed line circles) 11 a and upward cell (big continued line circle) 21 a shares the same BTS 5a; together they form a three-dimensional space coverage cell described in previous reference invention mentioned above. Each ground cell 11d, 11e and 11f has a BTS in centre; they are BTS 5d, 5e and 5f respectively. Ground cell 11b has three micro upward cells (small continued line circle) 60a, 60b and 60c inside; they share BTS 5b of ground cell 11 b; their coverage antennas couple to BTS 5b through communications link 59a, 59b and 59c respectively. Upward cell 21c has two micro ground cells (small dished line circle) 61a and 61b inside; they share BTS 15c of upward cell 21c;
their coverage antennas couple to BTS 15c through communications link 59g and 59h respectively. Upward cell 21 b has three micro upward cells 60d, 60e and 60f inside; they share BTS 15b of upward cell 21 b; their coverage antenna couple to BTS 15b through communications link 59d, 59e and 59f respectively. BSC1 (base station control centre) 25a controls BTS 15b, 5a, 5e and 5f via carriers 27 (cable, fibre optic cable, or microwave radio etc). BSC2 25b controls BTS 5b, 15c and 5d via carriers 27.
MSC (mobile switch centre) 24 of the cellular network controls BSC1 25a and BSC2 25b via carriers 26 (cable, fibre optic cable, or microwave radio etc). It also connects to PSTN (public switched telephone network). The structure and operation of this mobile cellular network is similar to the existing ground mobile cellular network except some of its cells have three-dimensional space coverage extent. How the mobile cellular network works is a well-known art. It is not the scope of this invention. In this cellular network, some base station (BTS 5d, 5e and 5f) have coverage on ground only; some base stations (BTS 5a, 5b and 15c) have three-dimensional space coverage on ground and in space above ground; some base stations (BTS 15b) have coverage in space above ground only. It is a three-dimensional space coverage cellular network.
This invention is a method about how to improve cellular signal coverage in three-dimensional space for a cellular telecommunication network. That is in at least one base station of the cellular network, base station cellular signals are radiated into three-dimensional space from different antennas in different locations in the cell of the base station; and cellular signals of subscriber stations in three-dimensional space of the cell are received in the base station from different antennas in different locations in the cell of the base station. In downlink direction, that is to radiate a cellular signal from a transmitter of the base station and distribute it into the local and remote transmitting antennas of the base station through the communications links between these antennas and the transmitter, and then radiate them upward and downward from these antennas into the cell of the base station. The cellular signal of transmitter is amplified during distribution to the remote transmitting antenna to compensate its loss. In uplink direction, that is to receive the cellular signal of a subscriber station in the cell of the base station from the local, or remote, or both receiving antennas of the base station, and then feed it into a receiver of the base station through the communications link between the receiving antenna and the receiver, and then receive it in the receiver. The cellular signal of the subscriber station is amplified in the communications link between the remote receiving antenna and the receiver to compensate its loss. Though local antenna is preferred, all antennas may be remotely located in the cell of the base station in this invention.
This invention is improvement on previous reference invention mentioned above.
It improves coverage in three-dimensional space and creates flexibility in three-dimensional space coverage for a cellular network, meanwhile eliminates interferences in it. It can be implemented in any types of cellular telecommunication systems for providing cellular signal coverage on ground and in space above ground.
Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be appreciated that improvements and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. First example, though repeater 53 in FIG.1 A to 1 F is preferred to be the same frequency repeater (input frequency and output frequency are the same) in this invention, it may be a frequency-shifting repeater (output frequency is different from input frequency). Second example, both local and remote antennas each may have two major lobes with one major lobe pointing downward to cover ground and another major lobe pointing upward to cover space above ground. This type of two-beam two-tilt cellular base station antenna has been described in previous reference invention mentioned above.
have already covered three-dimensional space in the cell, hills or dense buildings in the cell may still create blind areas on ground andlor blind spaces above ground inside the cell where are lack of cellular signals coverage. It makes sense to introduce base station cellular signals to its remote antennas to cover these blind areas andlor blind spaces, like antenna 62 in this case.
FIG.1 D describes a base station of an upward cell in a cellular network uses remote up-tilt antenna to expand its coverage in space above ground. The system configuration in FIG.1 D
is same to the system configuration in FIG.1 B except that remote antenna 63 in FIG.1 B is replaced by up-tilt omni-directional antenna 62 FIG.1 D. The major lobe of antenna 62 tilts up a1 degree from the horizontal plane in its mounting position and covers space above ground around it inside the cell of BTS 15. The system working procedure in FIG.1 D is the same as in FIG.1 B. Remote antenna 62 can. be used to cover blind space above ground inside the upward cell of BTS 15 in FIG.1 D.
FIG.1E describes the same scene as FIG.1A does. The difference is that long cable 4a replaces the wireless communications link in FIG.1A, so there is no donor antenna for repeater 53. Base station cellular signals are split into two ways by splitterlcombiner 30 (or a coupler), with one way feeding into local antenna 1 to cover a sector of a ground cell and with another way feeding into repeater 53 through long cable 4a. The system working procedure in FIG.1E in the same as in FIG.1A, except communications link between base station and remote antenna 62 doesn't include a wireless link section as in FIG.1A. Now it is a pure cable link in FIG.1 E.
FlG.1 F describes the same scene as FlG.1 E does. The difference is that a fibre optic cable system replaces the long cable 4a in FIG.1 E. The fibre optic system comprises base station unit (BU) 54, remote unit (RU) 56, downlink fibre optic cable 55a and uplink fibre optic cable 55b.
As shown in the diagram, base station unit 54 couples to base station transmitters through coupler 30a and couples to base station receivers through coupler 30b in one side. It couples to remote unit 56 through downlink and uplink fibre optic cables 55a and 55b in another side. Remote unit 56 couples to repeater 53 through its connecting cable 4. In downlink direction, base station transmitters generate radio signals. These signals are fed into base station unit 54 and are converted into optic signals in it. Then the optic signals are transmitted into downlink fibre optic cable 55a and are received by remote unit 56. They are converted back into cellular radio signals in remote unit 56. Then the cellular radio signals are fed into repeater 53 and are amplified in it. The amplified cellular radio signals then are fed into antenna 62 through its connecting cable 4 and are radiated in space above ground by antenna 62. In uplink direction, antenna 62 receives radio signals off air generated from subscriber stations in its coverage extent and then feeds them into repeater 53. These signals are amplified in repeater 53 and then are fed into remote unit 56 by repeater 53. Then they are converted into optic signals in remote unit 56. The optic signals are then transmitted into base station unit 54 through uplink fibre optic cable 55b and are converted back into cellular radio signals in it. Then base station receivers receive them from base station unit 54. Device 57 is a diplexer. It couples to antenna 1 in one side and couples to couplers 30a and 30b in another side.
Each antenna in FIG.1A to 1F is used as both transmitting and receiving antennas. Separated transmitting antenna and receiving antenna may be used to replace each of them. Communications link between base station and each antenna In FIG.1A to 1 E is used as both downlink and uplink communications links. Separated downlink communications link and uplink communications link may be used to replace each of them. Each repeater in FIG.1A to 1F is used to boost cellular radio signals in both downlink and uplink directions. A device may be used in a downlink communications link to boost downlink cellular signals only and another device may be used in an uplink communications link to boost uplink cellular signals only. All repeaters in FIG.1A to 1 F are used to boost cellular signals for remote base station antennas. A cellular signal booster may be used for a local antenna if it is necessary. Though each cell in FIG.1A to 1 F is covered by local base station antenna (or antennas), it may be covered by remote base station antenna (or antennas). With repeater boosting cellular signals, the BTS of a cell may be located far away from any coverage antennas of the cell.
In FIG.1A to 1F, local antenna and remote antenna share a common base station through their communications links. The radio signal generated by a transmitter of the base station and radiated from them will not cause interference in subscriber stations in the cell of the base station. Also the radio signal generated by a subscriber station in the cell of the base station and received from them will not cause interference in the receivers of the base station. The beam of local antenna is properly tilted (downward or upward) to cover the cell of the base station. It is limited from radiating into other cells of the cellular network. The beam of remote antenna is properly tilted (upward or downward) also to cover small area inside the cell of the base station. It is limited from radiating into other cells of the cellular network. So any possible interference between the cell of the base station and other cells of the cellular network are limited.
(When this invention is implemented in a terrestrial cellular network to cover ground and high-rise buildings, above certain height in a cell of the cellular network, for example the height of the highest building in the cell, there may be interference signals coming from up-tilt base station antennas in other cells of the cellular network. As there is no subscriber station above that height in the cell, it doesn't affect the cellular network.) The coverage extension of remote base station antenna in FIG.1A to 1F can be considered as a micro cell (or micro sector if the remote antenna is a sector antenna as shown in FIG.1 B). It has relatively smaller coverage range than the macro cell that is covered by local base station antenna (or antennas). FIG.2A to 2F are several embodiments of their relation and coverage profiles in space.
FIG.2A describes three micro upward cells inside a macro ground cell with a shared base station. Macro ground cell 11 (big dashed line circle) has a larger coverage extent on ground. It is covered by local down-tilt antenna (or antennas). Micro upward cells 60a, 60b, and 60c are inside macro cell 11. Each has a smaller coverage extent in space above ground and is covered by up-tilt antenna (or antennas). All of them share the base station (BTS 5) of macro cell 11. The coverage antenna of macro cell 11 couples to BTS 5 with cable 4. Micro upward cell 60a is local; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 5 with link 59a (cable link). Micro upward cell 60b is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 5 through link 59b; device 58b is imbedded in link 59b to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. Micra upward cell 60c is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 5 through link 59c; device 58c is imbedded in link 59c to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. (All these antennas are not shown in FIG.2A). Each communications link 59a, 59b and 59c may be cable link, wireless link, fibre optic link or any possible combinations of them. Each device 58b and 58c comprises at least one cellular signal amplifier in uplink and another cellular signal amplifier in downlink. In FIG.2A, cellular signals from base station (BTS
5) are distributed to local and remote antennas and are radiated from them in different directions (downward and upward) in the cell of the base station; cellular signal from a subscriber station (not shown in the diagram) in the cell is received in the base station from one or more of these antennas (depending on subscriber station's position in the cell). The base station has coverage on ground and in space above ground in its cell. (In FIG.2A, 2C and 2E, the coverage of a micro cell is shown in three-dimensional manner, while the coverage of a macro cell is shown in two-dimensional manner).
FIG.2B describes coverage profile in space of the base station in FIG.2A. As shown in the figure, there are spaces above ground are covered by micro upward cell 60a, 60b and 60c where are not covered by macro ground cell 11. Hatched area 28a is space covered by both macro cell 11 and micro cell 60a;
hatched area 28b is space covered by both macro cell 11 and micro cell 60b;
hatched area 28c is space covered by both macro cell 11 and micro cell 60c. While 29 are spaces above ground inside the macro cell where are not covered by both the macro cell and its micro upward cells.
FIG.2C describes three micro upward cells inside a macro upward cell with a shared base station.
Macro upward cell 21 (big dashed line circle) has a larger coverage extent in space above ground. It is covered by local up-tilt antenna (or antennas). Micro upward cells 60d, 60e, and 60f are inside macro cell 21. Each has a smaller coverage extent in space above ground and is covered by remote up-tilt antenna (or antennas). All of them share the base station (BTS 15) of macro cell 21.
The coverage antenna of macro cell 21 couples to BTS 15 with cable 4. Micro upward cell 60d is remote;
its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 with link 59d; device 58d is imbedded in link 59d to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. Micro upward cell 60e is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59e; device 58e is imbedded in link 59e to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions.
Micro upward cell 60f is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59f; device 58f is imbedded in link 59f to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. (All these antennas are not shown in FIG.2C). Each communications link 59d, 59e and 59f may be cable link, wireless link, fibre optic link or any possible combinations of them. Each device 58d, 58e and 58f comprises at least one cellular signal amplifier in uplink and another cellular signal amplifier in downlink. In FIG.2C, cellular signals from base station (BTS 15) are distributed to local and remote antennas and are radiated upward from them in the cell of the base station; cellular signal from a subscriber station in the cell is received in the base station from one or more of these antennas (depending on subscriber station's position in the cell).
The base station covers more space than its local up-tilt base station antenna (or antennas) covers.
FIG.2D describes coverage profile in space of the base station in FIG.2C. As shown in the figure, there are spaces above ground are covered by micro upward cell 60e and 60f where are not covered by macro upward cell 21. Hatched area 28e is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 60e; hatched area 28f is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 60f.
FIG,2E describes three micro ground cells inside a macro upward cell with a shared base station. Macro upward cell 21 has a larger coverage extent in space above on ground. It is covered by local up-tilt antenna (or antennas). Micro ground cells 61 a, 61 b, and 61 c are inside macro cell 21. Each has a smaller coverage extent on ground and is covered by down-tilt antenna (or antennas).
All of them share the base station (BTS 15) of macro cell 21. The coverage antenna of macro cell 21 couples to BTS 15 with cable 4.
Micro cell 61a is local; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 with link 59g (cable link). Micro cell 61b is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59h; device 58h is imbedded in link 59h to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. Micro cell 61 c is remote; its coverage antenna couples to BTS 15 through link 59i; device 58i is imbedded in link 59i to boost cellular signals in both uplink and downlink directions. (All these antennas are not shown in FIG.2E). Each communications link 59g, 59h and 59i may be cable link, wireless link, fibre optic link or any possible combinations of them. Each device 58g, 58h and 58i comprises at least one cellular signal amplifier in uplink and another cellular signal amplifier in downlink. In FIG.2E, cellular signals from base station (BTS 15) are distributed to local and remote antennas and are radiated from them in different directions (downward and upward) in the cell of the base station; cellular signal from a subscriber station in the cell is received in the base station from one or more of these antennas (depending on subscriber station's position in the cell). The base station has coverage on ground and in space above ground in its cell.
FIG.2F describes coverage profile in space of the base station in FIG.2E. As shown in the figure, most ground areas inside macro cell 21 where are not covered by macro upward cell 21 are now covered by micro ground cells 61a, 61b and 61c. Hatched area 28g is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 61 a; hatched area 28h is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 61 b; hatched area 28i is space covered by both macro cell 21 and micro cell 61c. While 29 are spaces above ground inside the macro cell where are not covered by both the macro cell and its micro ground cells.
A cellular telecommunications network of this invention comprises at least one three-dimensional space coverage base station of this invention. FIG.3 is an embodiment of the cellular network of this invention.
In FIG.3, macro cells 11 a, 21 a, 11 b, 21 c, 11 d, 11 e, 11 f and 21 b compose a mobile cellular network.
While ground cell (big dashed line circles) 11 a and upward cell (big continued line circle) 21 a shares the same BTS 5a; together they form a three-dimensional space coverage cell described in previous reference invention mentioned above. Each ground cell 11d, 11e and 11f has a BTS in centre; they are BTS 5d, 5e and 5f respectively. Ground cell 11b has three micro upward cells (small continued line circle) 60a, 60b and 60c inside; they share BTS 5b of ground cell 11 b; their coverage antennas couple to BTS 5b through communications link 59a, 59b and 59c respectively. Upward cell 21c has two micro ground cells (small dished line circle) 61a and 61b inside; they share BTS 15c of upward cell 21c;
their coverage antennas couple to BTS 15c through communications link 59g and 59h respectively. Upward cell 21 b has three micro upward cells 60d, 60e and 60f inside; they share BTS 15b of upward cell 21 b; their coverage antenna couple to BTS 15b through communications link 59d, 59e and 59f respectively. BSC1 (base station control centre) 25a controls BTS 15b, 5a, 5e and 5f via carriers 27 (cable, fibre optic cable, or microwave radio etc). BSC2 25b controls BTS 5b, 15c and 5d via carriers 27.
MSC (mobile switch centre) 24 of the cellular network controls BSC1 25a and BSC2 25b via carriers 26 (cable, fibre optic cable, or microwave radio etc). It also connects to PSTN (public switched telephone network). The structure and operation of this mobile cellular network is similar to the existing ground mobile cellular network except some of its cells have three-dimensional space coverage extent. How the mobile cellular network works is a well-known art. It is not the scope of this invention. In this cellular network, some base station (BTS 5d, 5e and 5f) have coverage on ground only; some base stations (BTS 5a, 5b and 15c) have three-dimensional space coverage on ground and in space above ground; some base stations (BTS 15b) have coverage in space above ground only. It is a three-dimensional space coverage cellular network.
This invention is a method about how to improve cellular signal coverage in three-dimensional space for a cellular telecommunication network. That is in at least one base station of the cellular network, base station cellular signals are radiated into three-dimensional space from different antennas in different locations in the cell of the base station; and cellular signals of subscriber stations in three-dimensional space of the cell are received in the base station from different antennas in different locations in the cell of the base station. In downlink direction, that is to radiate a cellular signal from a transmitter of the base station and distribute it into the local and remote transmitting antennas of the base station through the communications links between these antennas and the transmitter, and then radiate them upward and downward from these antennas into the cell of the base station. The cellular signal of transmitter is amplified during distribution to the remote transmitting antenna to compensate its loss. In uplink direction, that is to receive the cellular signal of a subscriber station in the cell of the base station from the local, or remote, or both receiving antennas of the base station, and then feed it into a receiver of the base station through the communications link between the receiving antenna and the receiver, and then receive it in the receiver. The cellular signal of the subscriber station is amplified in the communications link between the remote receiving antenna and the receiver to compensate its loss. Though local antenna is preferred, all antennas may be remotely located in the cell of the base station in this invention.
This invention is improvement on previous reference invention mentioned above.
It improves coverage in three-dimensional space and creates flexibility in three-dimensional space coverage for a cellular network, meanwhile eliminates interferences in it. It can be implemented in any types of cellular telecommunication systems for providing cellular signal coverage on ground and in space above ground.
Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be appreciated that improvements and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. First example, though repeater 53 in FIG.1 A to 1 F is preferred to be the same frequency repeater (input frequency and output frequency are the same) in this invention, it may be a frequency-shifting repeater (output frequency is different from input frequency). Second example, both local and remote antennas each may have two major lobes with one major lobe pointing downward to cover ground and another major lobe pointing upward to cover space above ground. This type of two-beam two-tilt cellular base station antenna has been described in previous reference invention mentioned above.
Claims (30)
1. A cellular telecommunication network for providing cellular telecommunication service in a geographical area, said geographical area divided into a plurality of cells, said network comprising:
a plurality of base stations, each providing radio signals to subscriber stations in an associated one of said cells;
at least a first one of said base stations comprising a transmitter for generating a first radio signal to be provided within a first one of said cells which is associated with said first base station, and within a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna coupled to said transmitter through a first communications link for radiating said first radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward;
a second antenna coupled to said transmitter through a second communications link for radiating said first radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device imbedded in one of said first and second communications links for amplifying said first radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said first radio signal within said first cell below said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said first radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said first radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other ones of said base stations.
a plurality of base stations, each providing radio signals to subscriber stations in an associated one of said cells;
at least a first one of said base stations comprising a transmitter for generating a first radio signal to be provided within a first one of said cells which is associated with said first base station, and within a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna coupled to said transmitter through a first communications link for radiating said first radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward;
a second antenna coupled to said transmitter through a second communications link for radiating said first radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device imbedded in one of said first and second communications links for amplifying said first radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said first radio signal within said first cell below said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said first radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said first radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other ones of said base stations.
2. The network of claim 1 wherein said first base station further comprises:
at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell;
at least one another device for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell before they are received by said receiver.
at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell;
at least one another device for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell before they are received by said receiver.
3. The network of claim 2, wherein said receiver is coupled to said first antenna through said first communications link and is coupled to second antenna through said second communications link, so as to receive said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell through at least one of said first and second antennas.
4. The network of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said one and another devices are integrally formed.
5. The network of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first and second antennas are located substantially far away from each other.
6. The network of anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein a second one of said base stations comprises:
a second base station transmitter for generating a second base station radio signal to be provided within a second one of said cells which is associated with said second base station, and within a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna of said second base station coupled to said second base station transmitter through a first communications link of said second base station for radiating said second base station radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
a second antenna of said second base station coupled to said second base station transmitter through a second communications link of said second base station for radiating said second base station radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device of said second base station imbedded in one of said first and second communications links of said second base station for amplifying said second base station radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links of said second base station comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said second base station radio signal within said second cell above said first antenna of said second base station and above said second antenna of said second base station, while limiting radiation of said second base station radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said second base station radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other ones of said base stations.
a second base station transmitter for generating a second base station radio signal to be provided within a second one of said cells which is associated with said second base station, and within a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna of said second base station coupled to said second base station transmitter through a first communications link of said second base station for radiating said second base station radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
a second antenna of said second base station coupled to said second base station transmitter through a second communications link of said second base station for radiating said second base station radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device of said second base station imbedded in one of said first and second communications links of said second base station for amplifying said second base station radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links of said second base station comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said second base station radio signal within said second cell above said first antenna of said second base station and above said second antenna of said second base station, while limiting radiation of said second base station radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said second base station radio signal may interfere with radio signals from other ones of said base stations.
7. The network of claim 6, wherein said second base station further comprises at least one second base station receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said second cell;
at least one another device of said second base station for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said second cell before they are received by said second base station receiver.
at least one another device of said second base station for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said second cell before they are received by said second base station receiver.
8. The network of claim 6 and 7, wherein said second base station receiver is coupled to said first antenna of said second base station through said first communications link of said second base station and is coupled to said second antenna of said second base station through said second communications link of said second base station, so as to receive said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said second cell through at least one of said first and second antennas of said second base station.
9. The network of anyone of claims 6 to 8, wherein said one and another devices of said second base station are integrally formed.
10. The network of anyone of claim 6 to 9, wherein said first and second antennas of said second base station are located substantially far away from each other.
11. A method of providing cellular telecommunication service in a geographical area, said geographical area divided into a plurality of cells, comprising:
generating a plurality of radio signals, each to be provided to subscriber stations in an associated one of said cells and having a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
providing each one of said signals to its associated cell, wherein a first one of said signals is provided to a first one of said cells which is associated with said first signal by transmitting said first signal into a first antenna through a first communications link and radiating, from a first antenna, said first signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward, and transmitting said first signal into a second antenna through a second communications link and radiating, from a second antenna, said first signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and amplifying said first signal in at least one of said first and second communications links, wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link, so as to radiate said first signal within said first cell below said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said first signal into other ones of said cells within which said first signal may interfere with other ones of said signals.
generating a plurality of radio signals, each to be provided to subscriber stations in an associated one of said cells and having a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
providing each one of said signals to its associated cell, wherein a first one of said signals is provided to a first one of said cells which is associated with said first signal by transmitting said first signal into a first antenna through a first communications link and radiating, from a first antenna, said first signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward, and transmitting said first signal into a second antenna through a second communications link and radiating, from a second antenna, said first signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and amplifying said first signal in at least one of said first and second communications links, wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link, so as to radiate said first signal within said first cell below said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said first signal into other ones of said cells within which said first signal may interfere with other ones of said signals.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising amplifying and receiving at least one radio signal from a subscriber station in said first cell.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said radio signal from a subscriber station in said first cell is received through at least one of said first and second antennas.
14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said first signal and said radio signal from a subscriber station in said first cell are amplified in the same one of said first and second communications links.
15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said first and second antennas are located substantially far away from each other.
16. The method of claim 11 to 15, wherein a second one of said signals is provided to a second one of said cells which is associated with said second signal by transmitting said second signal into a first antenna of said second cell through a first communications link of said second cell and radiating, from said first antenna of said second cell, said second signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and transmitting said second signal into a second antenna of said second cell through a second communications link of said second cell and radiating, from said second antenna of said second cell, said second signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward, and amplifying said second signal in at least one of said first and second communications links of said second cell, wherein each of said first and second communications links of said second cell comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fiber optic cable link and wireless link, so as to radiate said second signal within said second cell above said first antenna of said second cell and above said second antenna of said second cell, while limiting radiation of said second signal into other ones of said cells within which said second signal may interfere with other ones of said signals.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving and amplifying at least one radio signal from a subscriber station in said second cell.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said radio signal from a subscriber station in said second cell is received from at least one of said first and second antennas of said second cell.
19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said second signal and said radio signal from a subscriber station in said second cell are amplified in the same one of said first and second communications links of said second cell.
20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said first and second antennas of said second cell are located far away from each other.
21. A base station of a cellular telecommunication network, said network adapted for providing a plurality of cellular radio signals in a geographical area, said geographical area divided into a plurality of cells, said base station comprising:
a transmitter for generating a radio signal to be provided within a first one of said cells, said transmitter operating at a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna coupled to said transmitter through a first communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward;
a second antenna coupled to said transmitter through a second communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device imbedded in one of said first and second communications links for amplifying said radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said radio signal within said first cell below said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said radio signal may interfere with other ones of said plurality of cellular radio signals.
a transmitter for generating a radio signal to be provided within a first one of said cells, said transmitter operating at a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna coupled to said transmitter through a first communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed downward;
a second antenna coupled to said transmitter through a second communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device imbedded in one of said first and second communications links for amplifying said radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said radio signal within said first cell below said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said radio signal may interfere with other ones of said plurality of cellular radio signals.
22. The base station of claim 21, further comprising:
at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell;
at least one another device for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell before they are received by said receiver.
at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell;
at least one another device for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell before they are received by said receiver.
23. The base station of claim 22, wherein said receiver is coupled to said first antenna through said first communications link and is coupled to said second antenna through said second communications link, so as to receive said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell through at least one of said first and second antennas.
24. The base station of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said one and another devices are integrally formed.
25. The base station of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein said first and second antennas are located substantially far away from each other.
26. A base station of a cellular telecommunication network, said network adapted for providing a plurality of cellular radio signals in a geographical area, said geographical area divided into a plurality of cells, said base station comprising:
a transmitter for generating a radio signal to be provided within a first one of said cells, said transmitter operating at a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna coupled to said transmitter through a first communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
a second antenna coupled to said transmitter through a second communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device imbedded in one of said first and second communications links for amplifying said radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said radio signal within said first cell above said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said radio signal may interfere with other ones of said plurality of cellular radio signals.
a transmitter for generating a radio signal to be provided within a first one of said cells, said transmitter operating at a frequency range which is reusable in more than one of said cells;
a first antenna coupled to said transmitter through a first communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
a second antenna coupled to said transmitter through a second communications link for radiating said radio signal in a characteristic radiation pattern having its major lobe pointed upward;
at least one device imbedded in one of said first and second communications links for amplifying said radio signal;
wherein each of said first and second communications links comprises at least one of the followings: cable link, fibre optic cable link and wireless link;
so as to radiate said radio signal within said first cell above said first antenna and above said second antenna, while limiting radiation of said radio signal into other ones of said cells within which said radio signal may interfere with other ones of said plurality of cellular radio signals.
27. The base station of claim 26, further comprising:
at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell;
at least one another device for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell before they are received by said receiver.
at least one receiver for receiving radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell;
at least one another device for amplifying said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell before they are received by said receiver.
28. The base station of claim 27, wherein said receiver is coupled to said first antenna through said first communications link and is coupled to said second antenna through said second communications link, so as to receive said radio signals generated by subscriber stations in said first cell through at least one of said first and second antennas.
29. The base station of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein said one and another devices are integrally formed.
30. The base station of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein said first and second antennas are located substantially far away from each other.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2468379 CA2468379A1 (en) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-06-02 | Improvements on three-dimensional space coverage cellular network |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2468379 CA2468379A1 (en) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-06-02 | Improvements on three-dimensional space coverage cellular network |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2468379A1 true CA2468379A1 (en) | 2005-12-02 |
Family
ID=35452270
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2468379 Abandoned CA2468379A1 (en) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-06-02 | Improvements on three-dimensional space coverage cellular network |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2468379A1 (en) |
-
2004
- 2004-06-02 CA CA 2468379 patent/CA2468379A1/en not_active Abandoned
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