Patent ID: 6108323
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A method for operating a cellular system having a base station transmitting over beamformed channels from beamforming antennas and non-beamformed channels from non-beamforming antennas, said method comprising the steps of:receiving a request for access from a mobile station on a non-beamformed access channel;determining, in response to receiving said request for access, whether said mobile station is to be assigned to a beamformed traffic channel or to a non-beamformed traffic channel based on at least one system parameter, the at least one system parameter including an indication of availability of system resources for use for said beamformed channels;and if it is determined that said mobile station is to be assigned to said beamformed channel;determining information at said mobile station from a beamformed pilot channel; andtransmitting from said base station to said mobile station on said beamformed traffic channel according to said information.