Patent ID: 7546146

Claim:
A control system for selectively controlling switching in a diversity antenna system, the control system comprising: a radio head unit alternatively coupled to first and second antennas, and configured to: deliver a DC power supply signal to and receive a return signal from a selected one of the antennas, determine a signal quality of the received return signal based on a determined actual bit error rate, and generate a control signal when a pre-established threshold bit error rate value is exceeded by modifying the DC power supply signal, wherein said control signal is operable to cause the radio head unit to switch from the selected one of the antennas to the other of the antennas, when the signal quality of the received signal exceeds a pre-established threshold value; a switch circuit intermediately and communicatively coupled between the unit and each of the antennas, wherein the circuit includes an RF switch and a switch controller having a voltage limiting device and a current amplifying device, and is configured to receive the control signal and toggle between the first and second antennas, so that the radio head delivers the DC power supply signal and receives a return signal from the other of the antennas; and a single daisy chain cable interconnecting the radio head unit to the switch circuit, so as to carry the received signal and the control signal therebetween.