Patent ID: 7916080

Claim:
A communication system for communicating with a mobile device, comprising: a first antenna system comprising a plurality of first antennas mounted to a first supporting structure, each of the plurality of first antennas having a main lobe oriented in a different direction and including a first main lobe extending in a first direction and configured to communicate with the mobile device when the mobile device is more than a first minimum distance from the first supporting structure in the first direction, a second main lobe extending in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction and configured to communicate with the mobile device when the mobile device is more than a second minimum distance from the first supporting structure in the second direction, and a third main lobe configured to communication with the mobile device when the mobile device is less than the first and second minimum distances from the first supporting structure; and a second antenna system comprising a plurality of second antennas mounted to a second supporting structure, each of the plurality of second antennas having a main lobe oriented in a different direction and including a first main lobe extending in a third direction and configured to communicate with the mobile device when the mobile device is more than a third minimum distance from the second supporting structure in the third direction, a second main lobe extending in a fourth direction substantially opposite to the third direction and configured to communicate with the mobile device when the mobile device is more than a fourth minimum distance from the second supporting structure in the fourth direction, and a third main lobe configured to communication with the mobile device when the mobile device is less than the third and fourth minimum distances from the second supporting structure, the first main lobe the plurality of second antennas being oriented in a direction substantially opposite the second main lobe of the plurality of first antennas, wherein the first antenna system and the second antenna system are disposed at spaced apart positions along or adjacent to a path traversed by a vehicle, such that the vehicle does not substantially obstruct the main lobes of the plurality of first antennas or the plurality of second antennas as the vehicle traverses the path.