Abstract:
An antenna system including at least one antenna element, and having a plurality of connection points for signals for multiple operator users, and further comprising: respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements connected to each of the connection points, and a junction element connected to each of the respective amplitude control circuitry elements and connected to said antenna element, such that the antenna system beam pattern can be controlled independently for the multiple operator users.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/520,858 filed on 17 Aug. 2009 which is the U.S. National Phase of International Application Number PCT/GB2007/004969 filed on 21 Dec. 2007 which claims priority to British Patent Application Number 0625909.7 filed on 22 Dec. 2006, where all of said applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an antenna system, and more particularly to an antenna system in which the beam pattern can be controlled. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Antenna systems are known, in which signals from multiple users can be combined, and transmitted from a single antenna. For example, in the case of a cellular mobile communications system, the base station combines signals for transmission from multiple sources, and the antenna transmits the combined signal. 
         [0004]    Moreover, systems are known in which the shape of the beam transmitted from the antenna can be varied. That is, in an antenna system in which there are multiple antenna elements, it is possible to vary the power of the signals applied to the different antenna elements. The result is that the transmitted signal is not omnidirectional, but is instead preferentially transmitted in one or more direction, compared with one or more other direction. 
         [0005]    It is also recognized that, in many situations, there are multiple radio networks providing cellular coverage. For example, one network operator may be providing multiple networks using different cellular technologies, or multiple operators may be providing competing services. In such situations, there can be a need for multiple antennas, but a proliferation of antennas can appear undesirable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna system, comprising at least one antenna element, and having a plurality of connection points for signals for multiple users, and further comprising: 
         [0007]    respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements connected to each of said connection points; and 
         [0008]    a junction element connected to each of said respective amplitude control circuitry elements and connected to said antenna element, 
         [0009]    such that the antenna system beam pattern can be controlled independently for said multiple users. 
         [0010]    This has the advantage that the antenna system can be shared by multiple users, and the beam patterns can be controlled, so that each user is able to use a beam having a desired beam pattern. 
         [0011]    Specifically, by adjusting the amplitudes of signals in the separate transmit and receive paths associated with different users, the effective shapes and/or sizes of the beams can be independently controlled in azimuth. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block schematic diagram of a base station for a wireless communication system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates the operation of an antenna in the base station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows in more detail the base station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows in more detail a part of the beam definition circuitry in one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates the operation of an antenna in use of the beam definition circuitry of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows in more detail a part of the beam definition circuitry in another embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates the operation of an antenna in use of the beam definition circuitry of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a block schematic diagram, illustrating the form of a base station  10  in a wireless communications system. The base station  10  includes radio circuitry  12 , which is connected to beam definition circuitry  14 , which in turn is connected to an antenna  16 . 
         [0021]    As is well known, the base station  10  communicates with users of suitable wireless communications devices, such as mobile phones or portable computers, provided that these are within the cell served by the base station  10 . The radio circuitry  12  has a connection to the core network (not shown) of the wireless communications system, managed by the network operator, and generates radio frequency electrical signals for transmission by the antenna  16 , and which receives the electrical signals produced from the radio signals received by the antenna  16 . 
         [0022]    The size of the cell served by the base station  10  depends on the amplitude of signals transmitted by the antenna  16 , and the sensitivity of the antenna  16  and its associated electrical circuitry in detecting signals transmitted by the mobile users. In general terms, a network operator will wish to ensure that its network provides coverage throughout a service area, but it may do this by providing a large number of small cells, or a small number of larger cells, or, more typically, by a mixture of large cells combined with smaller cells in areas where most mobile users are expected to be found. 
         [0023]    The shape of the cell served by the base station  10  may also desirably be varied. For example, where a base station is provided close to a highway carrying a large number of potential mobile users, it may be desirable for the cell to extend a relatively long distance along the highway, but only a relatively short distance to the sides of the highway. As another example, where a base station is provided at a corner of a region where there are expected to be a large number of mobile users, it may only be necessary for the shape of the cell to be such that it extends over that region. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a possible form for the antenna  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the antenna  16  is based on a rectangular tower  18 , having two antenna elements  20 ,  22  on a first face  24  thereof, two antenna elements  26 ,  28  on a second face  30  thereof, two antenna elements  32 ,  34  on a third face  36  thereof, and two antenna elements  38 ,  40  on a fourth face thereof. Although they are described here as antenna elements, it will apparent to the person skilled in the art that each of these antenna elements can take the form of an array of individual antenna elements, if required, in order to provide desirable properties. 
         [0025]    The antenna  16  thus has eight antenna elements in total. Each of these elements has a preferential direction of transmission and reception, indicated in  FIG. 2  by the respective arrows extending outwards from the elements. 
         [0026]    It can be seen that, when signals transmitted from these antenna elements have equal amplitudes, and when the antenna elements are equally sensitive to received signals, the antenna  16  is essentially omnidirectional. That is, the beam pattern, indicated by the dashed line  50 , is generally circular. However, when signals transmitted from the antenna elements have unequal amplitudes, and when the antenna elements are not equally sensitive to received signals, the beam pattern changes. For example, the asymmetrical beam pattern indicated by the dotted line  52  is obtained when the signals transmitted from the antenna elements  20 ,  22  on the first face  24  have larger amplitudes than the signals transmitted from the antenna elements  32 ,  34  on the third face  36 , and when the antenna elements  20 ,  22  on the first face  24  are more sensitive to received signals than the antenna elements  32 ,  34  on the third face  36 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the beam pattern is controlled by the beam definition circuitry  14 , as described in more detail below. 
         [0028]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the base station is suitable for use by more than one network operator, and/or allows a single network operator to provide distinct services. More specifically, aspects of the invention allow control of the beam pattern such that these different operator users see different beam patterns. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows in more detail the form of the base station  10  that provides this function. The radio circuitry  12  comprises separate radio circuitry  12   a ,  12   b , . . . ,  12   n  for each of the operator users. As mentioned above, the operator users may for example be competitor network operators, or they may be different technologies under the control of a particular network operator. Thus, for example, the base station  10  may be used by two competing network operators on a site-sharing basis to provide their cellular telephone services. Alternatively, for example, the base station  10  may be used by one network operator to provide both a GSM cellular telephone service and a UMTS cellular telephone service. As another example, the base station  10  may be used by one network operator to provide a cellular telephone service, and used by another operator to provide a different wireless access service, for example based on Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or a similar technology. Three operator users are shown in  FIG. 3 , but it will be appreciated that there may be any number of such users. In each case, the relevant operator user provides the relevant circuitry to convert received signals into radio frequency signals that are suitable for transmission by the antenna system, and to convert radio frequency wireless signals received over the air interface by the antenna system into signals that can be handled by conventional signal processing circuitry (not shown). 
         [0030]    The signals for transmission generated by the radio circuitry  12   a ,  12   b    12   n  are then passed to respective beam definition circuitry  14   a ,  14   b , . . . ,  14   n , which will be described in more detail below. The beam definition circuitry blocks  14   a ,  14   b , . . . ,  14   n  are connected through a junction element  18  to the antenna  16 . Similarly, received signals are passed through the junction element  18  to the beam definition circuitry blocks  14   a ,  14   b    14   n , and then to the radio circuitry  12   a ,  12   b , . . . ,  12   n.    
         [0031]    As mentioned above, it is desirable to be able to control the size and/or shape of the area served by the base station  10 . Moreover, where the base station  10  is being used by different operator users, as described above, it is desirable to be able to control independently the sizes and/or shapes of the areas served by the base station  10  on behalf of these different operator users. 
         [0032]    For example, one network operator may wish to use the base station  10  to provide coverage over a relatively large area because it does not have any other nearby base stations, while a second operator may wish to use the base station to provide coverage over a smaller area because it already has nearby base stations, while a third operator may wish to use the base station only to provide coverage in one particular direction from the base station. 
         [0033]    As another example, a network operator may wish to increase its network capacity by dividing the area around the base station into two or more cells. In that case, separate radio circuitry can be provided for the traffic for each of those cells, and these can be regarded as different users for the purposes of this description. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates the form of the beam direction circuitry  14  that can be provided to allow independent control of the sizes and/or shapes of the areas served by the base station  10  on behalf of these different operator users, also referred to as the beam patterns. 
         [0035]    Specifically, the beam definition circuitry  14  includes first amplitude control circuitry  60  in a signal path connected to the first antenna element  20 , second amplitude control circuitry  62  in a signal path connected to the second antenna element  22 , third amplitude control circuitry  66  in a signal path connected to the third antenna element  26 , and so on, up to eighth amplitude control circuitry  80  in a signal path connected to the eighth antenna element  40 . Thus, in this embodiment, there is separate amplitude control circuitry in the signal path of each antenna element, although it will be appreciated that the same amplitude control circuitry may be located in the signal paths of more than one antenna element where this provides the required amount of beam definition. 
         [0036]    It will be noted that a beam-forming network, such as a Butler matrix (not shown) may also advantageously be connected between the amplitude control circuitry blocks  60 ,  62 ,  66 , . . . ,  80  and the antenna elements  20 ,  22 ,  26 , . . . ,  40 . 
         [0037]    In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, there are separate operator user paths within the signal path for each antenna element. 
         [0038]    Thus, the transmit signals for a first user, or group of users, are applied from the first radio circuitry block  12   a  of the radio circuitry  12  to a first connection point  82   a , and then to a first user duplexer, or diplexer,  90 . These transmit signals are then applied to a variable gain element, preferably in the form of a variable attenuator  92 . The attenuated signals are applied to a high isolation combiner, preferably in the form of a Wilkinson structure  94 . 
         [0039]    At the same time, the transmit signals for a second user, or group of users, are applied from the second radio circuitry block  12   b  of the radio circuitry  12  to a second connection point  82   b , and then to a second user duplexer  96 . These transmit signals are then applied to a variable gain element, preferably in the form of a variable attenuator  98 . The attenuated signals are also applied to the high isolation combiner  94 . Further, the transmit signals for another user, or group of users, are applied from the relevant radio circuitry block  12   n  of the radio circuitry  12  to a respective user duplexer  100 . These transmit signals are then applied to a variable gain element, preferably in the form of a variable attenuator  102 . The attenuated signals are also applied to the high isolation combiner  94 . Any convenient number of user duplexers can be provided, depending on the required number of users, or groups of users, for which distinct beam patterns are required. Each of these user duplexers can be connected through a respective variable gain element to the combiner  94 . 
         [0040]    The combined signals output from the combiner  94  are applied to a driver amplifier  104 , although this may be omitted in other embodiments of the invention, and then to a suitable band-pass filter  106 , and then to a power amplifier  108 . The amplified signals are passed through a switching element  110  to an input of a further duplexer  112 . The output signal is then applied to the relevant antenna element  20 . 
         [0041]    In the case of signals received by the first antenna element  20  of the antenna  16 , these received signals are passed to the duplexer  112 , and the received signals are then applied to a low noise amplifier  114 . The amplified signals are passed through a suitable band-pass filter  116  to an optional further amplifier  118 , and then to a high isolation splitter, preferably in the form of a Wilkinson structure  120 . 
         [0042]    The illustrated structure can be used in the case of a frequency division duplex (FDD) system, where the duplexer  112  is used to provide isolation between the transmit and receive paths. However, any suitable mechanism can be used to provide the isolation between the transmit and receive paths. For example, in the case of a time division duplex (TDD) system, the isolation can be provided by means of a switch, which passes signals from the transmit path to the antenna, or from the antenna to the receive path, as required. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the splitter simply passes a proportion of its input signal to each of its outputs, and these proportions may be equal. In another embodiment, the splitter can be frequency selective, in which case it can pass components of the received signal in different frequency bands to different outputs. 
         [0044]    A first component of the signal is passed to a first variable attenuator  122 , a second component of the signal is passed to a second variable attenuator  124 , a third component of the signal is passed to a third variable attenuator  126 , and so on. 
         [0045]    The signals from the first variable attenuator  122  are then passed to the receive side of the first operator user duplexer  90 , and then to the connection point  82   a  for the radio circuitry block of the first operator user; the signals from the second variable attenuator  124  are then passed to the receive side of the second user duplexer  96 , and then to the connection point  82   b  for the radio circuitry block of the second user; the signals from the further variable attenuator  126  are passed to the receive side of the further user duplexer  100 , and then to the connection point  82   c  for the radio circuitry block of the further user; and so on. 
         [0046]    Transmit signals from the first operator user or group of users, and receive signals for the first operator user or group of users are preferably combined on a single cable  128 . Similarly, transmit signals from the second user or group of users, and receive signals for the second user or group of users are preferably combined on a single cable  130 , and transmit signals from the further user or group of users, and receive signals for the further user or group of users are preferably combined on a single cable  132 , and so on. 
         [0047]    In normal use of the antenna system, the switch  110  passes the transmit signals from the power amplifier  108  to the transmit side  112   a  of the duplexer  112 , which is therefore adapted to pass signals at the relevant transmit frequency. By contrast, the receive side  112   b  of the duplexer  112  is adapted to pass signals at the relevant receive frequency. 
         [0048]    In a signal detection mode, the switch  110 , which may for example take the form of a coupler or a circulator, passes received signals from the antenna element  20 , which are at the relevant transmit frequency and therefore pass through the transmit side  112   a  of the duplexer  112 , to a controller  136 . 
         [0049]    The amplitude control circuitry blocks  62 ,  66 , . . . ,  80  in the signal paths connected to the other antenna elements  22 ,  26   40  are substantially the same as the first amplitude control circuitry block  60  in the signal path connected to the first antenna element  20 . Thus, the transmit sides of each of the user duplexers  90 ,  96 , . . . ,  100 , have respective connections into respective variable attenuators in the transmit paths of each of the amplitude circuitry blocks, while other variable attenuators in the receive paths of each of the amplitude circuitry blocks each have connections into the receive sides of each of the user duplexers  90 ,  96 , . . . ,  100 . 
         [0050]    As discussed above, the amounts of attenuation in the transmit and receive signal paths for the antenna elements of an antenna system determine the beam shape for the antenna as a whole. As described here, the amounts of attenuation in the antenna element transmit and receive signal paths for one operator user or group of users can all be controlled independently such that they are different from the amounts of attenuation in the antenna element transmit and receive signal paths for one or more other operator user or groups of users. Thus, these users or groups of users effectively see different beam shapes for the antenna as a whole. 
         [0051]    This is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which shows the beam shape  140  for a first user, the beam shape  142  for a second user, and the beam shape  144  for a third user, it being appreciated that there may be as many different beam shapes for different users or groups of users as there are user duplexers  90 ,  96 ,  100 . 
         [0052]    Thus, for example, the signal paths for the first user may have more attenuation in the signal paths to and from the first antenna element  20 , the third antenna element  26 , the fourth antenna element  28 , the fifth antenna element  32 , and the eighth antenna element  40 , but less attenuation in the signal paths to and from the second antenna element  22 , the sixth antenna element  34  and the seventh antenna element  38 . At the same time, the signal paths for the second user may have more attenuation in the signal paths to and from the first antenna element  20 , the second antenna element  22 , the fifth antenna element  32 , the sixth antenna element  34 , and the seventh antenna element  38  but less attenuation in the signal paths to and from the third antenna element  26 , the fourth antenna element  28 , and the eighth antenna element  40 . Also at the same time, the signal paths for the third user may have substantially equal amounts of attenuation in the signal paths to and from all antenna elements, producing a substantially omnidirectional beam. 
         [0053]    The azimuth beam patterns for the different operator users can therefore be controlled independently. 
         [0054]    One further example of the use of the base station  10  is to allow an operator to provide a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) service. That is, on the transmit side, a data stream is divided into a number of lower bit rate data streams, and each one of these lower bit rate data streams is applied to a respective one of the connection points  82   a ,  82   b ,  82   c . By suitable control of the gain control elements in the paths between these connection points and the antenna elements, each of the lower bit rate data streams can be transmitted with a different beam shape. By taking advantage of multipaths, these data streams can be received by a receiver antenna from different directions, allowing them to be separated in the receiver. Similarly, on the receive side, the gain control elements can be adjusted so that the received signals supplied as outputs to the connection points  82   a ,  82   b ,  82   c  have arrived from different directions, and so the antenna  16  can effectively function as multiple receive antennas in a MIMO system. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment of the invention, the beam patterns can be controlled on the basis of signal strength measurements made by the controller  136 . That is, on initialization of the system, or periodically during use, the controller  136  can control the switch  110  so that signals from other transmitters at the transmit frequencies are detected by the controller  136 . For this purpose, the controller  136  can for example include an integrated circuit that is usually found in mobile communications handsets in use in the system. 
         [0056]    The required beam pattern, or patterns, can then be controlled on the basis of such measurements. 
         [0057]    It will be noted that, as described so far, it is assumed that the amounts of attenuation in the transmit and receive paths for one particular user to one particular antenna element will be substantially equal, such that the transmit and receive beam patterns are substantially equal. However, it will be appreciated that this need not be the case, and that the amounts of attenuation in corresponding transmit and receive paths can be adjusted so that the transmit and receive beam patterns are not equal. 
         [0058]    One particular application of the present invention allows the same antenna elements to be used for cellular wireless communication using two different communication technologies or two different telecommunications standards. 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  shows a system for use in such an application. More specifically,  FIG. 6  shows the form of amplitude control circuitry  160  in the signal paths to and from an antenna element  162 . As before, any number of similar amplitude control circuitry blocks may be provided in the signal paths to and from each of the antenna elements making up the antenna. In this case, the antenna element  162  may be a single omnidirectional, or sectorized, antenna, in which case only one such amplitude control circuitry block may be required. 
         [0060]    In this illustrated example, the antenna element has one pair of transmit and receive paths  164  for use in a GSM cellular communications network, and another pair of transmit and receive paths  166  for use in a UMTS cellular communications network, although the invention may be applied to any system involving different modulation schemes or standards. Thus, in this case, the antenna element  162  is a wideband antenna element or array, able to handle signals at GSM and UMTS frequencies. 
         [0061]    The antenna element  162  is connected to a suitable splitting and combining device  168 , which may for example be a duplexer or a diplexer, with a first side  170  connected to the GSM transmit and receive paths  164  passing signals in the GSM frequency band of 1710 MHz to 1850 MHz, and with a second side  172  connected to the UMTS transmit and receive paths  166  passing signals in the UMTS frequency band of 1920 MHz to 2170 MHz. 
         [0062]    Each of the transmit and receive path pairs  164 ,  166  then generally corresponds to the amplitude control circuitry block  60  described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0063]    That is, in the GSM transmit and receive paths  164 , the transmit signals for the GSM operator user, or group of users, are applied from the radio circuitry through a first user connection point  174  to a first user duplexer  175 . These transmit signals are then applied to a variable gain element, preferably in the form of a variable attenuator  176 . Connection points and user duplexers (not shown) may also be provided for other GSM operator users, with corresponding variable gain elements  177 , etc. In this case, the attenuated signals are applied to a high isolation combiner, preferably in the form of a Wilkinson structure  178 . 
         [0064]    The combined signals output from the combiner  178  are applied to a driver amplifier  188 , and then to a suitable band-pass filter  190 , and then to a power amplifier  192 . The amplified signals are passed through a switching element  194  to a transmit side of a GSM duplexer  196 . The output signal is then applied to the GSM side  170  of the duplexer  168 , and to the relevant antenna element  162 . 
         [0065]    In the case of GSM signals received by the antenna element  162 , these received signals are passed through the duplexer  168  to the duplexer  196 , and the received signals are then applied to a low noise amplifier  198 . The amplified signals are passed through a suitable band-pass filter  200  to an optional further amplifier  202 , and then to a high isolation splitter, preferably in the form of a Wilkinson structure  204 . 
         [0066]    The signals are passed to a first variable attenuator  206 , and then to the receive side of the first user duplexer  175 , for the first GSM user. The signals can also be passed to one or more further variable attenuator  207 , and then to an associated user duplexer (not shown) and to the relevant radio circuitry. 
         [0067]    The switch  194  generally passes the transmit signals from the power amplifier  192  to the duplexer  196 , but may be controlled to pass received signals from the antenna element  160 , which are at the relevant transmit frequency, to a controller  208 . 
         [0068]    Similarly, in the UMTS transmit and receive paths  166 , the transmit signals for the first UMTS operator user, or group of users, are applied from the radio circuitry through a first UMTS user connection point  180  to a first UMTS user duplexer  181 . These transmit signals are then applied to a variable gain element, preferably in the form of a variable attenuator  182 . Connection points and user duplexers (not shown) may also be provided for other UMTS operator users, with corresponding variable gain elements  183 , etc. In this case, the attenuated signals are applied to second high isolation combiner  184 . 
         [0069]    The combined signals output from the combiner  184  are applied to a driver amplifier  212 , and then to a suitable band-pass filter  214 , and then to a power amplifier  216 . The amplified signals are passed through a switching element  218  to a transmit side of a UMTS duplexer  220 . The output signal is then applied to the UMTS side  172  of the duplexer  168 , and to the relevant antenna element  162 . 
         [0070]    In the case of UMTS signals received by the antenna element  162 , these received signals are passed through the duplexer  168  to the duplexer  220 , and the received signals are then applied to a low noise amplifier  222 . The amplified signals are passed through a suitable band-pass filter  224  to an optional further amplifier  226 , and then to a high isolation splitter, preferably in the form of a Wilkinson structure  228 . 
         [0071]    The signals are passed to a first variable attenuator  230 , and then to the receive side of the first UMTS user duplexer  181 , for the first UMTS user. The signals can also be passed to one or more further variable attenuator  231 , and then to an associated user duplexer (not shown) and to the relevant radio circuitry, for any other UMTS users. 
         [0072]    The switch  218  generally passes the transmit signals from the power amplifier  216  to the duplexer  220 , but may be controlled to pass received signals from the antenna element  162 , which are at the relevant transmit frequency, to a controller  232 , which may be associated with the controller  208 . 
         [0073]    The first group of UMTS operator users may be the same as the first group of GSM operator users, and so on for the other groups, or the first group of UMTS users may be completely unrelated to the first group of GSM users. 
         [0074]    Thus, in the GSM and UMTS paths, any convenient number of variable gain elements can be provided, depending on the required number of users, or groups of users, for which distinct beam patterns are required. In this case, there may be only one such group of users in each case, and the system may simply provide one beam pattern for all GSM users, and one beam pattern for all UMTS users, or, of course, the number of distinct GSM beam patterns may be different from the number of distinct UMTS beam patterns. 
         [0075]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , there is a single antenna element  162 , which may be directional or omnidirectional, and so the control of the attenuation in the relevant signal paths only determines the sizes of the beams, rather then their shapes. 
         [0076]    However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , separate beam definition circuitry can be provided in the signal paths to multiple antenna elements making up an antenna, allowing the shapes of the beam patterns also to be controlled. 
         [0077]    Thus, this system allows individual control of the degrees of attenuation in the signal paths to and from different antenna elements, for different users or groups of users.  FIG. 7  illustrates one possible result of this. Thus, there are different beam patterns for a first group of GSM users, a second group of GSM users, a first group of UMTS users, and a second group of UMTS users. 
         [0078]    There is thus disclosed a system which allows the same antenna element or elements to be used for different communication systems, while controlling the antenna beam patterns differently in those two systems, and/or allows the same antenna element or elements to provide different antenna beam patterns for different users or groups of users in a communication system.