Patent ID: 7203520

Claim:
In a cellular communication system of the type where base stations are equipped with directional antennas that can assume one of I number of directions of transmissions where I≧2, a method of increasing downlink coverage and traffic capacity, comprising: at a first base station, successively directing a first radio beam in I number of directions A(i) according to a first beam rotation scheme, where i∈[2, I]; and at a second base station adjacent to said first base station, successively directing a second radio beam in I number of directions B(i) according to a second beam rotation scheme; wherein said first beam rotation scheme and said second beam rotation scheme form J number of reception timeslots T(j) for user equipment located within said first radio beam and said second radio beam, each of said reception timeslots T(j) having different channel conditions, and said second base station allocating said reception timeslots T(j) according to quality of service requirements of each said user equipment.