Patent ID: 6917820
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of selecting an optimal set of antennas from a plurality of antennas for use by a transmitter having a plurality of RF chains to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal on a wireless link, said method comprising the steps of: determining, based on wireless signals on said wireless link received at a receiver, information concerning transmission of wireless signals on said wireless link, wherein said information includes at least one of channel capacity, diversity, spatial multiplexing or any other criteria used to optimize the wireless link; selecting, at said transmitter, an optimal set of antennas from said plurality of antennas based on said information, wherein said optimal set of antennas is a set number of said plurality of antennas; and connecting said RF chains to said optimal set of antennas to permit transmission of said wireless signal from said RE chains on said wireless link via said optimal set of antennas, wherein said RE chains correspond in number to the set number of antennas in said optimal set of antennas, and the number of antennas included in said plurality of antennas is greater than the number of RF chains.