Patent ID: 7327801

Claim:
A method for a first communication device to communicate with a second communication device over a communication link, the first communication device having at least first and second antenna elements, the method comprising: transmitting a first power control group using said first and second antenna elements, wherein a signal transmitted on said first antenna has a first phase difference from a signal transmitted on said second antenna; transmitting a second power control group using said first and second antenna elements, wherein a signal transmitted on said first antenna has a second phase difference from a signal transmitted on said second antenna; receiving from said second communication device a first quality indication signal indicating an adjustment to power of a transmitted signal at the first communication device in a first direction; receiving from said second communication device a second quality indication signal indicating an adjustment to power of a transmitted signal at the first communication device in a second direction; calculating a new phase difference based on the first and second quality indication signals, wherein calculating said new phase difference comprises: if said first direction and said second direction are opposite, then adjusting said new phase difference to optimize power; and transmitting using said first and second antenna elements using said new phase difference.