Patent ID: 6311075
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
An antenna for a sectored cell of a cellular radio communications system, being a third antenna of said cell, in which said cell has a cell site comprising;a first antenna for generating a first principal beam for radio communication to and/or from subscriber units located in a first sector of said cell; anda second antenna for generating a second principal beam for radio communication to and/or from subscriber units located in a second sector of said cell, said second principal beam having a sidelobe or backlobe which has a beam gain and falls within said first sector below a predetermined angle of elevation;in which said third antenna is a downward-looking antenna (DLA) located at said cell site, for generating a DLA beam having coverage in azimuth corresponding to said first sector, coverage in elevation substantially below said predetermined angle of elevation, and a beam gain greater than said beam gain of said sidelobe or backlobe;and in which said third antenna enables power control of radio transmissions from subscriber units communicating with said first antenna and positioned within said DLA coverage area.