US008971796B2 2) United States Patent (10) Patent No: US 8,971,796 B2 judd et al 4s) Date of Patent: ar. 3, 2015 Judd et Date of Patent: Mar. 3, 2015 (64) REPEATERS FOR WIRELESS 455724, 11.1 683, 781, $621,276, COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS $5563, 6711, 6612771, 6716.22. (7) Applicant Andrew LLC, Hickory, NC (US) sco aplication le for complete seen 3028 (72) Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Rockwall, TX (US): oe : ° Breck W.Lovinggood, Garland, TX rronces Cit (US); David T. Tennant, Flosmoor, IL 66) Ref Cited (US) Gags Ay yt us parENT DOCUMENTS {OS}, Wiliam Ps Kuipers Las 13 {Us}, James L- Alford Somers. ND 246198 A 121988 Sais (US); Michael D. Thomas, Rolling Hills 3,728,733 A 4/1973 Robinson Fsttes. C4 (US) Jonathon C. Vet (Contino Nes Lenox. IL (US) (73) Assignee: Andrew LLC, Hickory, NC (US) eee (*) Notice: Subject any disclaimer, theterm ofthis EP 12183 a2 10984 USC. I) by 0 diye, (Contino) (21) Appl Nos 14st miter PUBLICATIONS i ee eee _— “An Invoduction to SnapiTiack™ Server-Aided GPS Technology” $ 201410127989 AL Related US. Application Data May 8, 2014 (pages: source: wo sapeackine com, (Continved) Primary Examiner — John 3 Lee (63) Continuation of application No, 13/745,S40, filed on San, 18, 2013, age Pat, No, 8630581, which is a (7) Altorney, Agent, or Firm —Wood, Herron & Evans, continuation of application No. 13/220,841, filed on LLP Aug. 29, 2011, nov Pat, No, 8,388,970, which is a - on ABSTRACT (Continved) A signal repeating clement for repeating a signal includes a (1) Ineo. housing, at Teast one transmit antenna clement positioned on Hoss 715 (2006.01) ‘one side of the hovsing and at least one receive antenna osw 8008 (2003.01), clement positioned on the same one side of the housing (Continved) Receiver and transmitter circuitry is coupled with respective or ‘ones of the receive and traasnitattenna elements, Phase (2) US.CL . circuitry for affecting the phase of signals fom the atleast ore HOSB 7ASSBS (2013.01); GOIS 1925 one receive anteana element and at least one transmit antenna (2013.01): H01Q 1/007 (2013.01): clement is coupled between the respective receive or transmit (Continwed) ‘antenna element and the receiver o transmitter cece. (58) Fleld of Classification Seat cre HOSP 7/1571; HOSP. 7/15585 20 Claims, 68 Drawing SheetsUS 8,971,796 B2 Page 2 (60) oy (2) 66) Related US. Application Data ‘continuation of application No. 12/538,508, fled on Aug. 10, 2009, sow Pat. No, 80100082, which is 2 ‘continuation of application No. 10/181,109, filed as application No, PCT/USOL/01446 on Jan, 16, 2001, ‘which is @ continuation-in-part of application No. (09/694,225, led on Oct, 23,2000, now Pat, No. 6,934, S11 whieh isa continuation-in-par of application No. (09/483,234,fledon Jan, 14, 2000,now Pat, No. 6,745, (003, and continuation-in-part of application No. (09/357,032, fled on Ju. 20,1999, now Pat. No. 6731, 904, and 2 continuatioa-in-part of application No (09/483,649, filed on Jan, 14, 2000, now abandoned, said application No, PCT/USOVOL446 isa continua tion-in-part of application No, 09/687,862, fled oa ‘Oct. 13, 2000, no abandoned, whieh is @ continua tion-in-part of application No, 09/483,649, fled on Jan. 14, 2000, now abandoned, said application No. PCT/USO1/01446 isa continuation-n-par of applica tion No. 09/513,$43, fled on Feb. 25, 2000, now Pat No. 7,068,973, and 8 continuation-in-pant of applica tion No. 09/506,245, fled on Feb. 17, 2000, now Pat No. 6,445,004, and continustion-in-part of applic tion No, 05/483,649, fled on Jan. 14,2000, now aban- ‘doned, and a contination-in-part of application No, (05/483,234,fledon Jan. 14, 2000,now Pat. No. 6,745, (003, which isa continuation-in-pat of application No. (09/357,032, fledon Ju. 20,1999, now Pat. No. 6,731, 908. Provisional application No. 60/245 010, filed on Nov. 1, 2000, Incl. ‘HOI TASS (2006.01), Gois 1925 Qo1001) org 00 (2005.01) HOIQ 124 (006.01) 019 x26 (2006.01) HO1Q 46 (2006.01) M019 2106 (2006.01) ‘HU1Q 21728 (2008.01) ‘M019 21729 (2006.01), ‘H019 23/0 (2006.01) 019 25/00 (2005.01), nose 7710 (2006.01) HOsB 7/08, (2005.01), Us.cl. cee HO1Q 17246 (2013.01); HOIQ 3/2611 (2013.61); Hz 372647 2013.01); HOTQ 346 (2013.01): 1010 21/061 (2013.01), 11010 21228 201301): HOIQ 21729 (2013.01): HOD 22/00 201301): HOIQ 25/005 (2013.01); ‘HodB 70 2013.01); HOdB 71885 (2013.01: ‘HOsB 78864 2013.01): HO4B 70825 (2013.01); Hod 7/15307 (2013.01) USPC oe ASSP; 455/24; 455/276.1; 435/67. 16 References Cited S. PATENT DOCUMENTS S973 Snelee Livi Wate (61977. Provencher S977 Gade Solnss 71978. Migson 4.124882 s2.99 iws7s 98.600 4240888 Bors a3r207 Fate 68 ars28 Sats oas sri 43860013 7068 08932 459.631 01938 51502 43076 asi0963 sot 4390110 963.879 aon 6 Shas'nno Sherer S207 Sava Sor: Sastio) 30.004 SSs1000 Shas Sap20 Scant Senor £488.170, Sases3s S512905, SS1.196 Saver Sss2798 S587718 SS080 553963) 5600333 S046) Set0517 Sade domes I etal Frosh eal Opuchi eta Mails Acampora etal Daven a: Encin Mine Carney Fissimmons Davison ass24 Schmit Irena aval ta as Baal a Staion Stiuberg etal Terumasa Batacher a Gans ea Sanit Kawano etl. 111995 11995 199% 41096 1096 1996 511956 121990 121996 vise Dis diver dive Kawano etal. Sing tal Schote Radish ta Franke Sharan a. MeN Pouraly ea Cshiyama eta Miller Vasile Leshe MeGirrat a Sec el. Scinetl Regione Kwon a Prof. Githousen ta Tropper Kopp eta Chante ‘saa ea Davidson Rewano et Bayne Keach Bottomley ct Sm eas Mecamick Nock Speciale Dean ess tal Dietrich et al Lewis Merch Searle ct al Bosse etl Gans ea GansUS 8,971,796 B2 Page 3 (66) References Cited 613.866 A * 102000 Bir ta ae 616407 A | 102000 Karis 0 a US. PATENT DOCUMENTS ‘61335 A 102000 Kuwahara S364 A 122000 Kim etal RODS die S1s7344 A 122000 Balm ea Saxo A S907 Siemon east 4122000 kd ya Cy 672684 BL “12001 Mastek Sia3 736 A 531997 Grtih ta HST) BL 22001 Wiekman eta Shouts A 71907 Rosella 32001 Branbovie Sitesi A T1897 Ame £2001 Flo ta: eee pian 622250) BL 42001 Gietema eta PSUS rel re 6286484 BL 72001 Conner ea Shi0804 A 1/1998 Bhame tal 265878 BI 92001 Lal S318957 A 21898 Soviet 6348986 BL 22002 Doweet ot al POS lteter {6448904 BL 92002 Lovinggoad ta S78C138 A S908 Taree ata e480 BL 92002 Judd S35kL9 A $1998 Three dal sasna7t 3002 Paros Som287 A S908 Lever 731201 BL $2004 Judd Roar teed bok 74500) BL 62004 Maca ta Ssroo% AS 1998 these 6864859 B_— 32005 ud etal SROSIIS A 511998 Opinost al GO34511 BL 82005 Lovinggvod ta Ree euepees 68973 BL 62006 Lovingpoa etal SRBS74 A 11/1998 reser Zs™ 098 82 $3009 ada Saws A 111998 Cheeta Moloe B2 82011 Judd eal pea a lee ad 8584970 B2 12013 Juddetal Reais eee ene Sein.set > 1014 Juddetal SRS6IL A 121998 Gansecal 200s 104781 AL 62003 ‘Son SasG804 A ‘1/1999 Tarte dal She@as9 A (999 Chara POREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS S580005 A 41999 Brownetal S295 A 71999 Lighetal i o0osis2 Ar 71954 Soangas A 71909. Shima i 0936693 AT 1999 Spwiai2 A999 Karas Gb DowsTad A X1998 Sass A 81999 chon ea 2000183797 A 62000, S5q3.847 A 101999 Moetal Wo Dss4102 AL 121998 Sow7 304 A T1999 Ca wo, Stato AL 97 6.009324 A 121909. Praia wo Sm00372 AL 31908 Sn29048 A 22000 ‘Tretch wo oarteas AL 1998 enoosas A 3000 Chaetat wo SRNL AL 911998 608.79 A 32000 Demerydl eta. wo SRSONRL AL 111958 S015 A auto Mowe wo, oisze7 A "723001 Seross A $2000 Runyon etal or ee Glimtet A 62000 Schchet a Sistas ay sence) can tal Page Intemational Search Report fiom PCT/US2004 01446 Sisto A 92000 Fuener (Published As WO2001082487 mailed an. 25,2002 GSAT A 102000 Quel etal SIDRSS7 A 102000, Fenton sta * cited by examineeU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 2 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 3 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 4 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 5 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 = cs = ss See re 4 ; 61 4 F FL] 64 7 F, rey . : i FIG. § 52a Rx, o +f, Rx Tx 52bU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 6 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 70 74, n-s-| 74: 74 a EGU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 8 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 [1 180 iT FIG. 11 FIG. 10U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 9 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 FIG. 12 ) i | = 800 5 00U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 10 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 460 462~s— t+~s~ 466 FIG. 15U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 11 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 100U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 12 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 50b a 56b | 54a She ‘ ' “ “ 54> 54f ‘ ys 7 5c 4 7 v 7 5Ad ‘54h \ 4 SX XS \ (| Rx TxU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 13 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 2 200 BS. a 50, 50aU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 14 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 50, 50a — “2 102 50, 50a TFs SIDE VIEW FIG. 24.U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 15 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 200 FIG. 22U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 16 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1102 ae Vee snp} ta | L ETHERNET - HUB 110 2 tite L114 1198 FIG. 23b FIG. 23aU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 17 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 120 122 any fe 126a 128 126b bd FIG. 24 F "ADAPTIVE CANCELLATION CIRCUIT MODULATOR 7US 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 18 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent woss300ud Zisyy uaLUaANOO GY 9, gl] ¥BINBANOO NO 2 ann BNI Av7aa uaTdn0o wu BLTd —] yaTdnoo AWTaO veh eh 5 5 get zw sh zh wuU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 19 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1% 175. 140 420 12 --4---4¢-h--- co | F AC BLOCK ' ~~ | -of [op n= — | | ‘AC BLOCK F L-~ Pa —¥ FIG. 28 45128428 F iL FIG. 2U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 20 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 120 122: I! | \ 1 1 194 ! ‘+ AC BLOCK F ws Led! 4 i, 140 175 126 > 2 FIG. 32 124 FIG, 32 TR) 1 1 a ‘ EIGEI1 Fs 1964 1040 126 140 FH{Acaiocx ve —~ 1960 4 10 = yg ws Y 1980 a 4 4960 |AC BLOCK |-[F b 192a — FIG, 34 Ps e624 1942 1940 FIG. 33U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 21 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 8: a/ : —t — fh ro gep “ 28 | | ase staton Equipment FIG. 35 Prior ArtU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 22 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 236 a 234 ' FIG. 36 228 204 Base Station Equipment 226US 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 24 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent zee 8€ Old ov BIW, few ewojuy XW v6 ns sapedoy nea yuudn ‘mpor uoqoajag} | Sumwoy weag 0 ee Lee ww reuueyg und, 80y 3 Jeyidury JaMog FeIROUED 20uavapewy) TT sayydury samog ‘anpor 1 we Suuw0s vuonsaa J ewauy Vie weag ‘heay ‘Nxt 868 oe ose euueyg, uunog, e Wea xuUNOG WNT | A 06E vrUS 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 25 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent ow TAHA eee 90% Joredoy lavor wee \ \ 4 W * i 968 wea wuudn ie zy | 4 heny luoqoajag| ho ay ‘| uonoarag heuy ewawy lt] e 2 aay overt # | sumoy {AZ} rs REF pn fux’w ES wea NT oy saydury 20d weg FS In TROIS 20uaauEU) a eae seuyduny smog a an copes} sexy ewauy SF] e aL | mie Ela @ PP jewawy ywsues,| ¢ | Buenos RS J ae WN as Buuwoy| | anisoay Syx4u f=] weee Pe eoniens wweeg Ft 'Nx'w ee o8e 7 oof wana ee e2eh 90% err PeerU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 26 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 372 [>> 370 FIG. 40 ss 380 Pe eX eo oe * PbS eX ba > FIG. 41U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 27 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 509-5 Power OniReset 502 Calculate Pointing | “> 518 ld Disable Repeater a Wa Get Donor Site Coordinates & Elevation Beamformer settings / — 520 from look up table Get Null Area 7 = Set Null 522 Coordinates & Elevation Beamformer et Repeater Si re 504 508-7 “Coordinates & Set Repeater Gain Elevation imu a Get Compass me 510 Direction of Set Repeater 526 Repeater channel frequency 4 z 5125 | Calculate Pointing Angle to Donor re Enable Repeater | 528 jeasure Forward 530 Power FIG. 42U.S, Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Disable Repeater Sheet 28 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 544 = 552 Yes 548 ay” y es Decrease gain Decrease gain 6B 6B 550 Go To Main Lop FIG. 43US 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 29 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent bp Old ee 919-2 | az Uupé aseaicag 819 = Py | web aseanag O19 | ue6 oseaiou) pz 6 asea.segU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 30 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 800 ~ 800s~| 800 2 DIMENSIONAL BUTLER MATRIX [-s~ 802 804s M: 1 RF SWITCH omy Ls~ 805 RF TAP ——> 08 812s F ls] DIPLEXER ae RE L t ae CONTROL a PA 809 PA YS 810 L j 806 ¥ B12. _ DIPLEXER F RS 812 I, 807 FIG, 45U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 31 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 800 = | 800 = | 824U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 32 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 832aU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 33 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 34 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 35 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 910 St 912 FIG. 51U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 36 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 FIG. 54 [A Ho 922 926 ot mee 2 v2 | | Az mF FIG. 52 925 ! 934 a 923, | 2 = 933 FIG. 53 93U.S, Patent Mar. i em 3, 2015 AIG. 5. Pp or FIG. 3a [2 935 53 Fe 936 53¢ [2 937 FIG. 03d Sheet 37 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 938 _—oom Tour 939 FIG. 53f 940, N é O E * FIG. 53gU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 38 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1022 1024 4 4 1016 1018 tH FILTER i | FuTer ie 1015 | HYBRID COUPLER Wie 1014 010 “2” NEGATIVE negative [> RESISTANCE RESISTANCE AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER: 1010 > [ce KL] «10 1010 -- Dia} 1010. CELL Dofceit SS [cat D> [cet cel Dian CELL Po fcett oe Dietk or Dice} 1000" “7 ‘ 1020 FIG. 56U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 39 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1036 ff 10325] i | s-1038 PEELE PLLLLEPELE. QOQQGQQQEPPPPLLLE QOQQQQQQQ LLL LLL QELLLLL LLP LLL LLG. PEOPLE QOOLL PEEP PEQQOPL PELL PELL. ro SOOSGOGOGOOOOLOS FIG. 57U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 40 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1114 1116 4 Ks 1118 1120 24 1110 2 112 4 1112 4 FIG. 58U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 41 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 4172 om 1 1142 1140 1116 1 4 1130 & x ib a Ze 4 x x Pali | 5 1152 ae eae 5 1132 h {i ed x 7 x 116011551464 v 4 1158 1150 FIG. 59 1170 1172 4 tt tne -— aL : % % wal fbn x _ ra x sz [~L& A [ tice F130 11428 {y 1140a | x _ = W058 ise 1158 FIG. 60U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 42 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1114 FIG. 61U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 43 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 sya 12 M yy y Meport Butler Matix [~~ 1220 1204 we 12 k FIG. 62 FIG. 63U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 44 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 REN ye a yv Y 4- Port Buter Matix [~~ 122 | vw te wom BoM FIG. 64 FIG. 65U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 45 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1325 1344 jw 1328 1322, dhon' 1323 Fi modem 1342 1326 1326 FIG. 66U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 46 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 3 gs § FIG. 68 1326 1324U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 47 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 eee ee FO 82 | 1 i 1365 \ a \ 1 ! 1320 1 ! port Butler Matix ' \ i 1 1 1324} ' 1 1 1 ! >} MA RF Switch 1326 | 1 1 ' 1 11382 -\ 4 ' i ; \ I ' | 1 Control RF inputloutput | 1 FIG. 69U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 48 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 4233 4 TwRx Antenas GO Fer eed 1322 1355 M- port Butler Matrix c IF output FIG. 70U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 49 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 Hi 1 4 2 3 M TwRx Antenas 1 Ve eeey ! 1 = 1 1322 i | t 1355 ! rm ' 1320 1 : M- port Butler Matix [~~ ! \ ! ce |e 1 | ' i ! >| MA RF Switch p35 ' 1 ! ' I 1 7 14352 “4 ' 1 ' | | Re Tranceiver or Transveter "58? | 1 1 \ { ! IF \ 1 ! 1962 | 1 ! Lu Modem = b= === 7-~ [>To PC or LAN fe eereeeeeemeeeareeeemat \4 7 1364 FIG. 71U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 50 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 FIG. 72US 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 51 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent WOT s tftt ; rg ‘uaze) YOzEL LT] IN 10h ny eee pleat 7 Agee v ze veelUS 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 52 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent wOLeL XI YOUN geen dMLEN wace fees] xujeW J8Ang I \ ' \ \ \ \ \ ' i \ i \ \ 1 yozer™ vOeN 1 i ! I 1 1 I pee teeta XU W JONNG toze,“ pod-y Al eo leer W z 4US 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 53 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent soe 1 —————™—TUT—_T WaPo OL zueL wir] b seyanuog dp Jayanuog umog ERCP AS | yawns AYL:N [----] vue 299g Hod-N MW... dk wee ON 2 lesee“>—1__f yas doer We vei 1° ‘TT anew Jenng 1d s0ee 1 me a .. II ize" W ahUS 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 54 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent sau Nyio 92 Old deb soe ’ zoe] cet oon OY anonveg sayonuag nog aad oe FTCPN young aig BEEN gan SMW ieee, ™ waa] TT wears foe ff voce "ue W NE “ney ann Nd aa Loze | \eina df al. Ii weer N ze lezen ztUS 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 55 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent ZZ Old zl ¢ I ? ¢ , serene N OzbL zm + | poser ee ‘ 4 1 W @ t ya 008! t { { e06es 206e; 06U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 56 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 FIG. 78U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 57 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1522 RF InputOutput 1525 AIG. 79 Symetty PlaneU.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 58 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 FIG. 81U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 59 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1400 1402 FIG, 83U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 60 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1801 1603 T mame 7 ¥5 Lor (4 a 102U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 61 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 1520 1822 La BASE ———7L_—— STATION =~ FIG. 88 (era 1530 1533 1832 FIG. 89U.S, Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 62 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 ° tea oy be ; uw 1543 4545 1538 fe 1410 Lo} 1547 1414 1415 yee Lh : =< { kaa t 1545 1544 4 "1 ere 1416 1650 wte2X 1646 Y s ‘1942 FIG. 90U.S. Patent Mar. 3, 2015 Sheet 63 of 65 US 8,971,796 B2 = a i Q 2-2] q Baie - s é : s-/ uw ¢ uy a5 . g 1440 GAIN BLOCK 1430 4 a af 1444 4 aaa a 1410 1428 ‘ 1407 146 1420 1434 1822 ay 188 y BS 1410 t 1422 2»US 8,971,796 B2 Sheet 64 of 65 Mar. 3, 2015 U.S, Patent 96 ‘Sl4 +981 $951 ay my i i ae 6g ib a A AY oN a _ Wat esi 9st ua 9551 ggg. G6 “Old T Re ‘Conventional detens can be used 10 indicate the successive increments and to hold the repeater at each incremental posi- tion until it is advanced tothe next position ‘Asan be seen in FIG. 1, the flat-panel repeater comprises closely spaced stacked array of plana components that orm ‘compact unit that canbe easily mounted with the antennas already aligned relative to each other: The height and width of the unit are a multiple ofthe thickness dimension, eg, 7108 times the thickness. The thickness dimension i preferably no treater than about six inches, and the greater of said height and width dimensions is preferably no greater than about 80 fet. Is particularly prefered that the thickness dimension be no greater than about three inches, and the greater of sac height and width dimensions no greater than about 1.5 feet. Most preferably, the thickness dimension is no greater than about two inches, and the greater of the heiht and width ‘dimensions is no greater than about one foo. FIGS, 3 and 4 illustrate a flat-panel repeater 20 having a pirof at mdomes 21 and 22 on opposite des thereof. Each Faddome 21 and 22 covers one or more anteana elements for receiving and transmitting signals on opposite sides of the repeater. Inthe llustrative embodiment, the antenna elements fare the patches of pateh-type antennas, but it will be under ‘ood! that alternative antenna elements such as dipoles of monopoles may be used. As can be seen in FIG. 4 pair of patches 29 and 24 are printed ona dielectric plate 28 mounted ‘adjacent the inside surface of the dome 21. The dielectric plate 25 seats in a recess 27 formed by a metal plate 28 that ‘algo forma ground plan forthe patches 23 and 24. The plate 25 seats on multiple plastic standofls 27 connected 10 the pla 28 within the recess 27, anda pair of coaxial connectors 27 extend through the plate 28 for eonnection othe patches 23 and 24, The inner conductors ofthe connectors 276 are ‘connected tothe patches 23 and 24, while the outer condic- torsare connected to the ground plane 28. The opposite ends ‘ofthe connectors 27h are connected to the RP city onthe board 36. Because the deleceic plate 25 is recessed within the ground plane, the patches 23 and 24 are substantially fush with the surface ofthe ground plane. ‘team be seen that the ground plane forme by the metal plate 28 is considerably larger than the antenna patches 23 find 24, and the patches are positioned in the central region of the ground plane, Those features offer significant advantages Jnimproving theisolation between the two antennas, which in ‘urn improves the gain performance oe stability margin ofthe repeater, as wll bedischseedin more detail below. In gencrl, the ratio of the total ground-plane area to the central area 0 o 8 ‘occupied by the antenna elements isin the range of about 210 ',and is preferably about 5, to achieve the desired isolation ‘The repeater 20 includes a three-paet frame, consisting of central frame member 29 and a pair of RF-choke frames 30 and 31 attached t0 opposite sides ofthe central member 29. ‘The periphery ofthe around-plane plat 27 iscaptred within aslt in the inner periphery ofthe choke frame 30, Thecentral frame member 29 is essentially closed on one side by an {ntogral wall 32 that forms a bottom ground plane, and the interior of the member contains several electronic units (eg. printed circuit boards) and a power connevior 33. A top ‘ground plane plate 34 closes the open side othe frame mem- ber 29, and is aached to peripheral flange 38 on the frame member 29.A second group of electronic nits are mounted ‘ona board 36attached tothe outside of the ground-plane plate M4. The antenna elements on the opposite side of the repeater are mounted adjacent the inside surface of the radomte 22 Thus, pair of patches 37 and 38 are printed on a dielectric plate 39 seated in a recess 40 formed by a metal plate 41 that Also forms aground plane forthe patches 37 and 38, As can be seen in FIG. 4, the patches 23, 24 are orthogonal to the patches 37, 3810 improve isolation between the antennas on opposite sis ofthe repeater. The periphery ofthe ground-plane plate 4414s captured within a slot in the inner periphery of the second coke frame 31, The pateh plate 39 seats on multiple plastic standoffs 40¢ connected to the plate 41 within the recess 40, and apairofeoaxial connectors 406 extend trough theplate41 forconneetion to theptches 37 and 38. The inner conkluctorso the connectors 40Bare connected to the patches ¥7 and 38, while the outer conductors are connected to the ‘round plane 41. The opposite ends of the connectors 406 are ‘connected 1 the RF citeaitry on the board 36. Multiple gas- kets G are provided for sealing purposes. ‘An antenna is (simplifying Somewhat) a path by which clecitons get accelerated Buck and forth Ge. & “rave-tack"). For example, ina dipole antenna, electrons accelerate from ‘one end, towards the center (where they have the greatest velocity), then de-aecelerate towards the other end (where the velocity isthe slowest), They then tum around and accelerate back the other way. They do this at the rte ofthe resonant frequency of the antenna. The feed point ofthe antenna (fora pole al the centr) isthe position in which the electrons are ‘moving he fastest. Thus, voltage (potential) of dhe antenna is ‘upped from this position. Electromagnetic energy therefore radiates from the ends ofan antenna clement (dipole or patch) inthe direction ofthe accelerating electrons. This direction is «alec the antenna polarization (direction) Displacement eur- res (Viral electrons) therefore go from ane end of the patches, bathe most ommonisa recessed patch inside ‘a partial cavity. The cavity walls at asa field suppressor. and, “catch” field fines that are directed tothe sides a the patch, rather than in a direetion pespendicular to the patch and round plane. If both patches (on opposite sides of the Fepeater) are RSW patches, then they have educed coupling (is. greater soltion), which allows the system aetive gain to be increas RSW microstrip antennas prodvce only small amount of surface-iave radiation, In addition, if printed on electeieally thin substrates, these antennas only weakly excite Isteral waves (space waves that propagate horizontally along the substrate interface). As a resull, these antennas donot sufler from the deleterious effets of surface and lateral wave seat- tering. These charactristies make the RSW antenna ideal for applications where the supporting substrate or ground plane ‘oftheantenna is siallinwhich case diffraction ofthe surface and lateral waves from the ees of the structure may be quite ‘gnificant for conventional microstrip patch antennas. RSW antennas may also be useful for aray applicatios, where the presence of surface and lateral waves for conventional patch ‘aditorsprochice significant mutual eouplingand may lead 0 scan blindness. For a given size antenna element (patch, dipole, ete), increasing the size of the pround plane behind the element reduces the Front t Back (F/B) ratio ofthe antenna. More specifically, the larger the ground plane, the less enemy ra sted to the back side. Thus, increasing the size othe face of the side-to-side repeater reduces the amount of energy that ‘each face radiates to the backward face. Another way of ‘explaining this is that by increasing the size of the repeter the lower the coupling between the antennas onoppositesides ‘of the repeater (ie. patches). This therefore increases the ‘isolation hetween the antennas, and allows the active gain for the system to be inereased. Hosiever, where the size of the around plane is limited by other considerations, the RSW patch technology may be employed. ‘A preferred RSW design is the Shorted-Annular-Ring Reduced -Surface-Wave (SAR-RSW) antenna. One example of this type of antenna, shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, is 3 ‘conventional annular ring microstrip antenna 462 with an. jimer boundary 464 shor-cireited toa eonlacting ground plane 466. The outer radius dimension is chosen to eliminate furfice-wave excitation from the equivalent ring of magnetic ‘curentat the outer edge ofthe antenna tat corresponds tothe 0 o 12 TMsub011 cavity patch mode. (The modes are denoted using the notation TM.sub, phisto.) The iner radius is eho- sen to make the patch resonant atthe design frequency. PIGS, 16and 17 diagrammatically illustrate repeater mod les $0 and 0a with patch antennas that correspond respec- tively tothe systems described above. In these examples, ‘microstrip patches are used for the antenna elements 52, 54 (1G. 16) and $2a, 82, $44, $45 FIG. 17) The modulerbox ‘or housing $0, 580 may contain a DC power supply or DC power converter, amplifiers, filters and diplexers(ifrequired), as described above, The electoaies may be discrete pars, feonnected together Via SMA connectors, For lower power systems the electronics can be surface mount PCB. A small lamp, LED. or other display element 100 can be used With appropriate RF power sensing electronics 80 (ace PIGS, Sand 6) 10 id the provideraser/customer in orienting the unit or ‘module 80 or $02 with a Tink antenna directod/pointed towards a base station, such that sufficient signal power is being received, ie, ator above some predetermined thresh- old FIG. 18 illustrates an approach which uses an array of antesna elements in order to increase the passive gain, The ‘example shown in FIG, 18 uses two colunns of patel array antenna elements on one face of the module, designated by reference numerals $4a through $4, The antenna patches ‘a through 54d ae designated as receive (Rx) elements in the embodiment shown in FIG, 18, while the antenna ele- ‘ments S4e through $4 are designated as transmit (Tx) ele- ‘ments inthis embodiment. I willbe appreciated that similar fay of antenna elements, corresponding tothe antenna ele- ‘ments 82 ofthe prior embodiments, are mounted tthe oppo site face (not shown) ofthe module 80h ofFIG. 18. Moreover, ewer or more aray elements might be lized in other pat- tems than tht shows on FIG. 18, without departing Irom the invention Tn the embodiment shown on FIG. 18, the wse of four elements, which are summed together in am array, achieves approximately four imes (6d) the gin ofa single receive or ‘eansmit element. Thos, with four elements aso on the oppo- site face (not shown), ths adds a total of 12 dB of additional passive gain tothe system, which ean be used to reduce the required active pain by as much as 12 dB and also to reduce the required isolation by as much as 12 UB. While the near Tield wave mechanics might not permit a full 12 dB to be achieved, nonetheless, some considerable improvement can bbe expected from this approach. The vertical heam width of ‘the system will be rediced somewhat by this approach “The antennas on opposite sides ofthe repeaters deseribed above are “fixe” in position and orientation to assure mn ‘mum isolation between the antennas and to receive and trans ‘mit a given signals therefore maximize ystem gain. This isolation between antennas is controlled maximized (and ‘mutual coupfing minimized) in the following ways: a) The two antennas (or ses of antennas) are positioned such that for each, the F/B ratios sum to a maximum. For ‘example, fora perfectly rectilinear module, the two antennas (orsets of antennas) each face oppositely by 180 degrees, or within an acceptable tolerance ») The twoantemnas of each pat, are polarized in mutually ‘otogonal (perpendicular) directions, which further reduces the muttual coupling (increases the isolation) by oughly 20%0 3008, ¢) Plsetromagnetie choke or shunt elements are provided ‘onthe edges or borders of the module or housing stcture to sorb (shunt) power to ground. Altematively, the four sides of the housing (Ge. exeluding the two sides on which theUS 8,971,796 B2 13 stennas are mounted) may be composed of metalic material and grounded so as to shunt stray electromagnetic enemy to round Design ofthe antennas, beams, and (control of) F/B ratios assures adequate isolation berween the two opposing anten- ras (or antenna sets). The antennas" F/B ratios or isolation is the largest limiter for the total system gain. If desied, the ‘isolation can be furher improved by having the wireless ‘connection to the base station on a different frequency band fom the remote connection, ‘The above described repeater modules can be used in a umber of applications, # few examples of which are as follows 1) Indoor Repeater (see FIG. 19) The flat-panel repeater can be mounted on a wall or win= ‘dow, a or near a location where the RF signal power from 3 nearby hase station isa its maximum power lvel (within the building). Power for each repeater can be supplied va either :1120-volt ord and plog 102, or witha 120-volt plug connec- tion 104, built directly into the repeater (See FIGS. 20nd 21) Both allow very simple installation, by the customer. Gener aly, the RF signal is received, ata power level above the noise floor fom a nearby base station (withthe mode placed in location facing the base station), and the repeater re-radiates the (amplified) RF signal into the building. Additionally, sige nals {fom remote units (handsetsceliphones) within the building sre received by the repeser, amplified, snd re-radi- ‘ated back to the base station 200, 2) Daisy-Chained Indoor Repeater (se FIG. 22) FIG, 22 shows plurality of flat-panel repeaters $0 or 80a placed at various locations within a building, “daisy chained” Together, to provide greater coverage within the building. This sid in providing coverage tothe side of the building apposite to the base station, or any other RF mull or “blank” areas ‘within the building. In this way; the provider or customer ca cheaply and easily install wo oF more repeaters, to provide ‘coverage to varios areas of the building, such asthe side “opposite tho side nearest the base station, where the RE signal level from the base station) has low Signal to Noise (ratio), oF ‘where there is no signal at al If itis desired to distribute multiple wireless services ‘within a building, such as PCS, MMMDS, LMDS, wireless LAN, cellular telephone, et. all such signals may be sup- plied from their receiving antenna(s) 10 an Eiemet hub before entering the dasy-chained indoor repeaters, a ilus- teated in FIGS. 230 and 23%. A separate antenna 110 and ‘electronic circuits 111 are provides foreach wireless service, ‘and al the eieuits 111 are connected to an Etheenet hub 112, ach of the circuits 111 includes a froqueney converte for ‘converting signals from the frequency used by the wireless service to an Ethernet frequency. The Ekerael hub 112 con ‘tol the forwarding ofthe signs from he multiple wireless Tinks to the single wired connection from the Edhemet hub 72 to an indoor Aat-panel repeater 113, which then relays those sipnals on to other repeaters such a repeaters 114 and 115 located throughout the interior ofthe building. Fach ofthe repeaters 114 and 118 has two antennas onthe ‘downlink side. Specifically, @ first antenna 14a on the Fepeater 114 is designed to produce a beam 117 aligned with the next repeater 115, while second antenna 14 produces ‘bean 118 that extends lterally through the adjacent portion ‘of the interior of the building to reach all the wsers in that portion ofthe building. Foruser deviees that are not part of an Fthemet, such as PCS subseriber units, the signals fram the second antenna 1146 are received by an Fthemet-o-PCS ‘conversion unit 119 shown in more detail in FIG. 238. This ‘conversion unit incldes a antenna 19a that complies with 0 o 14 the IEEE 802.1) standard, a DSP 1194, an RF conversion circuit 1196 for converting the frequency of received signals torte PCS requeney, and a PCS antenna 119d for ransmit- ting the converted signals to PCS users inthe building. OF couse, the conversion unit 119 also works in the reverse direction, receiving PCS signals from subscriber units atthe antenna 119d, converting them tothe Ethernet Irequency in circuit 119¢, and transmitting them from antenna 1194 repeater 114 for e-eansmission ack to the repeater 113 the Ethernet hub 112 which selects the appropriate circuit 11 ‘and antenna 110, '3) Outdoor Null Fil Repeater 'A single flat-panel repeater can be installed on a tower, instead ofa more conventional repeater installation requiring siserete antennas. This provides a smaller, more economical package, and less labor (lime) and effort in orienting the Antennas fo assure adequate isolation between the antennas '4) Outdoor Repeater to Building A single flat-panel repeater ean be installed on a tower, in the same fashion as above, realizing the sume benefits, "The applications mentioned above in 1)-4)areindependent of frequency band. That is, any of these applications might be ‘sed in any frequency band, including, but not limited 0, the allowing: 8) Cellular (800 Miz band) +5) PCS (1800 and 1900 MH bands) (Personal Conan nications Service) '©) GSM (900 andl 1800 MHz bands) (Global System for ‘Mobile communiestions) ‘ence cancllers 408 ae connected between the outputs the power amplifiers and the inputs ofthe LNA’. “The invention may use direct RF offset BF, DSP, or GPS. based repeater instead ofthe above-described channel-selee- tive approach. Fxamples of DSP and GPS repeaters are shown respectively in copending U.S. patent application Ser No, 091460,023 ile Dec. 13,1999 andl Ser. No. 08/513,543, filed Feb. 25, 2000, which are incorporated herein by refer fence. A direct RF repeater performs all gain and filtering Tunetionsat the high frequency of the desired signal. Anollsct RF or frequency translating repeater is similar to channel- seletive repeater except thatthe upconversion of the inter mediate requeney moves the signal toa new high frequency signal instead ofthe original frequency ofthe desired signal This approach will minimize or eliminate the need for an interference cancellet. DSP repeater will still utilize an TENA and power amplifier, hut the processing funetions inthe ‘chansel module are handled by digitizing the desired signal performing the function digitally and then converting the ‘gia signal bock wo an analog signa. “Asshown inFIGS, 40 and 4, the antennas 922and332ean be implemented using antenaa arays 370, 380, Fach antenna array usesarow of Minorizontally spaced clementsto achieve the desired azimuth hearth and N vertically spaced rows ‘oftelemens to achieve the desited elevation beamwidth. This Jvention may use many diferent types of antenna elements inthe antenna array. Some examples include patch antennas 372(FIG. 40) and bow sie dipoles 382 FIG. 41) FIG. 40isun ‘example of a patch antenna array 370 with M4 and N-3. FIG. 41 isan exampleof a bowtie dipole aeray 380 with M-4 and N=2. “The beamforming and selection networks 404, 406 and 4040, 4045, 4062, 406% in FIGS. 38 and 39, combine the ‘antensa elements 472 of 382 in the antenna array 370 or 380 with appropriate phase and amplitude to ereate the desired ‘antenna pate. Several methods can be used to implement the beanfoming and selection networks. One method of implementing this sw use an Ms Butlor matrix to peeform the phasing and combining functions. The angle andelevaton ‘ofeach beam i stored ina look-up table that the repeater uses to drive a diode or relay switch matrix to select the desied beam, This look-up tableis stored ina memory ofthe repester 18 controller 410 in onder to map the desired azimuth andl pro- fram other parameters and matrix setings for use by the Butler mais, ‘One example ofa Butler matrix for beamstering is shown in FIG, 48, Here a plurality of antenna elements 800 are arranged ina 3 by 3 army. The antenna elements 800 may be paleies 372 such as in FIG. 40, dipoles such asthe dipoles 382 showa in FIG. 41 or another form of antenna elements ‘All he antenna elements 800 inthe array’ are coupled with a ‘so-dimeasional Butler matrix 802, The two-dimensional Butler matrix 802 is in turn coupled with an MEI radio fe- quency (RF) switch 804 n theillustrated embodiment, M-9, ‘hetotal numberof antennas 800 inthe array coupled withthe Butler mateix 802. The RF switeh 804 i coniolled by a controller oF conto! cieuit module 806 via 3 contol output 805 which may also control he simile RF switches for the ‘ther repeater antenna aeray via an addtional contro out S807 as shown in FIG, 45, The controller 806 may bea part of the controller 410 of FIG. 38 oF 39. “The controller 806 may be set to sequentially ste tothe ‘beams provided by the antenna 800 vie the Butler matrix 802 ‘nd RF switch 804 to search for an optimal signal, such asthe highest net power opt. Tis is indicated in FIG. 45 by an RF connection 808 ffom the output ofthe switeh 804 t0 an ‘input of the coateo excut 806 for monitoring the RF output. Other parameters might be used fo control switching such as the lowest noise or some other measure of signal quality. Thus, in operation, the contol circuit 806 switehes antenna elements until an “optimum” signal outpatsloeatedand then remains eonneeted tothe antenna clement at which the opt ‘mal signal is received. RP circuits similar to that shown in IG. 28 are located between the switch 804 and a similar switch (not shown) which is coupled in the same fashion indicated toa similar Butler matex to select a beam foes a Similar antenna array (not shown) atthe opposite side ofthe repeater. The contol module 896 silly controls this see- ‘ond RF switch coupled with an antenna array at the other side ‘of the repeater via‘ contol line 807. The second RF switch ‘may be controlled by the contal circuit 806 on the same basis, for example, on the basis of signal strength or some other measure of signal quality. The RP circuit inclides respoctve diplexers 809 (where the respective antenna ele- rents #00 perform botl tramsmnit and receive functions), power amplifiers 810 and filters 812, ‘A sysiem of beamforming or beam selection other than & Butler mate may also be milized without departing fom the invention. or example, the signal processor or controler 410 (ea, in FIG, 38 oF 39), in addition tots other functions, ean be programmed and adapted to perfoem a eontisuous va able, essentially linear beamforming. function by continuous ‘adjustment ofthe N beems coming ia with a variable pase and amplitude weighting being applied, to develop a single ‘beam direction to correspond (othe desired beam direction of either ofthe antennas for communicating with a base station for subscriber equipment. Various phase and amplitude set. tings ean be prestred fora number of beams, for example N ‘beams, each with given directional characteristic or setting. from which the processor chooses the best match fora given sation, Anolier method js to build the phasing and combining networks with variable phase devices in series with each Antenna element. look-up table of phase values for discrete angles and elevations is then used to create the desired beam, In FIG. 46, theantenna elements 800 in an N by N (¢..3 by 3) array are each coupled witha respective one ofa plurality ‘of phase shifters 820. The phase sifters are in tum coupled Vista corporate feed 822 tan RE output A which may coupleUS 8,971,796 B2 19 with the RF circuits as shown in FIG. 48, A controller 824 is provided to contol all the phase shifters 820, The same ‘rangement is wilized for the antenna on theopposite ficeof the repeater. “The latter arrangements differ from the Butler matex in that only one beam oF directional output is developed oF generated for a given requirement or situation or relative Jocation. In contrast, in the Butler matrix, a total of N beams ‘are available at all times with a switching. network being utilized to selet the one of these N beans bes sited for @ uiven situation or placement of the repeater tower zelative 10 the base station and nul il rca, respectively IG. 47 illustrates the flat-panel approach to repeater con= struction using ary oF antenna elements For relatively ow power applications, a fist face 8220 may mount a plurality antenna elements 800 whieh may be patches, dipoles or ather antenna elements. Similarantenna elements may be mounted jn an array on the opposite face 832<. The relatively thin housing 882a between the two faces or surfaces 8220 and 8320 may house the electronics. Referring (oF1G, 48 inan alternate design, cach of apairo flat panels #506 and 85Vc mount antenna elements (aot showin) only on their outwardly fieing surfaces 8226 and '832b, The two panels 5b and 85 ar pivotally mountedto ‘pair of rackets 880, 852 or other suppor sructe at pivot Points 854 and 856 andaligned pivot points (oot shown) atthe bottom edges of the respective panels 8805 and 880c, A separate electronics hovsing or enclosure 8825 may be ‘coupled with the brackets oe other support structure 850 and, [852 intermediate the two Mat panels 8505 and 850e. The beamsteering may beaceomplished by iting (or rotating) the respective panels uni the maximum signal strength, or some ‘other measure of signal quality is achieved FIGS, 49 and 0 are simplified diagrams illustrating boa steering va the use of various delay lengths by using stip- Fines of different lengths on different layers of a multi-layer printed cicuit board selectable by an RF switch (FIG, 49) or Striplines of different lengths printed on the same circuit board and selectable via RF switches (FIG. 50). Thus, ia FIG. 49, antenna elements 480,482 and 484, 486 are cach coupled ‘to moliple stiplnes of different lengths, represented by vari ‘ous solid and broken lines designated generally bythe reler- ‘ence numeral 488, All hese lines 488 of various lengths are ‘coupled together at radiofrequency (RE) summers 481. Thal js, all ofthe lines 48 of a frst length aro coupled to one simmer 483, all of the Fines 488 of a second length are ‘coupled to.a summer 485, and so forth. A radio frequency (RE) switch 487 operated in response to control signal on 3 ‘contol line 489 selects from among the lines of different lengths connecting the various antenna elements 480 to the summers 483, 488, ete. The control signal may be produced ‘automatically in response tou measurement of signal strength ‘or some other optima signal quality n order to ascomplish beamsteering vin the selection of adjustment of stripline length Tnthe approach shownin FIG. 50, the selection of tiplines 490 of varying lenthisaecomplished at theantenna elements 492, 494, 496, ee. by respective radio frequency switches 491,493 andl 495. Al these delay lines of varying length feed 4 common RF ouiput 497. The delay Tine length for eh fnienna may be selected either independently or in unison ‘with the selection of delay lines for other antennas, in response to suitable control signals (C) in much the same fashion asin FIG. 49, andor as deseribed above, in response to detection of an optimal signal level or some other optimal signal quality measurement 0 o 20 Typically, a repeater site uses the physical separation ofthe nlernas fo achieve enough isolation to allow the pester to ‘operate with gains of 60 fo 95 UB. Because the antennas are located relatively close together in the flat-panel repeater another approach fs needed io achieve isolation. As described hove, sich an approach can inclide the use of radio fre- ‘quency chokes in the enclosure between the antennas 10 reduce the coupling between the antennas, or the use of an adaptive interference canceller to provide ational gain and have margin, as described above. ‘A limiting characteristic for repeaters is that of the feed backloop or conversely, the solation Between the wo oppos ‘ng antennas (or sensor). Thats, the total front to back (F/B) ratio forthe system, of isolation, must be higher than the desired gain, Generally speaking, the isolation between donor nd null antennas is equal to the total repeater gain pls son ‘margin, typically around 10 to 15 dB. Therefore, the repeater sain will in general be less than the isolation minus the mar ain. For example, ifthe isolation between antennas is around S60dB, then the maximum repenter gain allowed will beubout 445-dB. For PCS frequencies, these figures may result in a repeater range of less than 100 feet. Tin-a scattering environment, which is common in PCS, every 6 dB of addtional system gain will double the coverage sistance. Thus, obtaining an additional 24 dB of isolation between the two antennas, wll allow the range to double 4 times, to 1600 feet For conventional repeater systems as in FIG, 3, where the wo antennas and repeater eleetronics are ‘nthree separate enclosures, and locations, the donor antenna (othe base station) and null antenna (to the desired coverage area), are separated in space by (usually) more than 10 feet. This distance adds over 50 dB tothe isolation berweenanten- fas, generating a total isolation value of well over 100 dB. Therefore, with ISdB mamzn,thistypeofsystem can utilize total gninofupo85dB ormore, whichresults in airy lage range and coverage. Fr the integrated repcater of this invention, where the ‘opposing antennasare in or onthe same housing orenelostr, and separate in space by as litle as afew inches, isolation is ‘ypically limited 1 valve below 80 4B or so. This therefore allows a total repeater gin of no more than 65 dB, which may Jimi the systom range to afew hundred feet or less. The adaptive cancellation approach removes a significant portion (between 10 dB anc 40 dB) of the feedback signal poiver, therefore increasing the toal system isolation By the Same amount (10 to 40 dB), This addtional isolation can be used fo achieve greater repeater gui, and therefore signi canily extend the range of the system, Thisisespeciallyusefl inthe integrated repeater Isolation between the two sides ofthe repeater can also be improved by the use of difleent sized arrays of antenna elements on the mobile and base station sides o reduce the effet of multipath interference and decrease direct coupling between the two antennas. Thus, an NaimesM aray of poles on the base station side ofthe repeater may besizedt0 provide high goin and a directive beam to limit reflections {rom nearby objects such as walls and ceilings. For example 8 2times.2 array might be wsed. The anay spacing may be ehosen as a half wavelength at the center frequency of the frequency band being amplified and re-ransmitted by the repeater, to produce nil in the aeray factor onthe horizons, thus reducing the dirt coupling between the antennas on ‘opposite sides of the repeater, For the broader beamwidth ‘desired on the other side of the repeater, to provide a large coverage area, linear array of N dipoles may be used. This linear ary produces a fan beam with increased directivity in the clevation plane, which ets to reduce the multipath interUS 8,971,796 B2 2 erence due to reflections from nearby objects such as walls. ceilings. The dipole arrays are preferably implemented as ‘win dine-fed dipoles with tuning subs for impedance mateh- ing. A coax-to-twin-ine balun may be implemented with 2 ‘smooth transition frm a microstrip line o'a win line on the same substrate asthe antenna and corporate feed, resulting in compact, low-cost antenna. ‘The dipoles are preferably polarized ata 45.depree. slant for optimum reception of sig- nals of unknown polarization, with opposite slams on oppo- site faces ofthe repeater for maximum isolation. Asan alter native, antenna elements may be provided on opposite sides ‘of the repeater to proclice circularly polarized radiation pat terns, preferably af opposed polarities. ‘The microprocessor or controller (repeater controller) 410, provides the repeater eoniol functions. This controller pro- Vides all setup, communications, and monitoring functions Tor the repeater These functions include those related setting the beamforming and selection functions to the desire beam, as mentioned above, and setting the amplifier gin nd frequency of operation to the maximum usable gain Jor stability and the power rating ofthe repeater. The controller's funetions may also include monitoring of power levels. at various points ia the system, monitoring the status of the devices in the system, for example for aver poiver under-power, oscillation, ee, The controller may also ‘nchide communication ports for communication vith ott- side deviees. For example, a local connection, such as nn RS-232 port may be provided to communicate witha laptop ‘computer which may be used in the field to exchange data with the controller, update data or program routines, or the Tike. A remote communieation port protocol may aso be ‘employedto enablecommunications witha network manage ‘ment system, through a local telephone company or wireless serial eommenicaton por, such asa data modem or TCPYIP (Transmission Contr ProtocoVInteret Protocol) or SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), In this regard the ‘controller 410 may comprise a microprocessor with a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receive Transmit) to enable the ‘desea communications and command strvetures and proto- cols FIGS, 42 and 43 are sofiwate flow charts for he initaliza tion of the repeater, which includes beam selection on the base-sttion-fecing antenna and the mobile-facing antenna ‘andthe initial gain setings. The blocks in the floweharts of FIG. 42 and FIG. 43 are as follows: Si Gan 2 Ssheterter 2 a s 2 0 o 2 -continsed IG. 4 isa software low chart fora main operational loop of the repeater control program, and includes only the func- ‘ions related to auto gain control of the repeater. The blacks in the low chart of FIG. 44 areas follows: RetexaseNa Futon ‘The automatic gain contol feanre may also be used 10 ponitor undesired feedback and adjust the gan ofthe appeo- priatesignal amplifiers) to prevent oscillation. An oscillation Getevtor may also be included to monitor the euerent flow through the amplifier and produce a signal that can be used to shut down the repeater, or the appropriate circuits in the repeater, in the event that oscillation actually occurs FIG. 51 shows a solar panel 910 with battery 911 on 2 relatively thi, flat antenna 912 of the type described above. ‘Theadkltion of "solar panel with bartery” system allows the repeater o be installed ina location wit sunlight, ad there- ore mitigate the requirements for an external (DC) power source. The system actually operates from the battery unit ‘which is occasionally (when the sun is up) e-charged from the embedded solar panel unit This is an excellent applica- tion for spot coverage requirements for a repeater, where there is currently nota local power source or wiring. Addi ‘ional. ads the installation of the unit indoors (assuming sulicient Fighting, to recharge the batteries, where there i no local power pug). Lasly, iis more aesthetic, than requiring \wire runs tothe unit, Note that the solar panel ean be on the top. sides, andor the font fe (witha hole for the patch antennas). The battery system is inside the unit; adjacent to the RF hardware (amplifiers, et) Inorder to improve he front-to-back isolation between the ‘wo antennas of the repeater, the two unennas ean also be ‘hyscally separated from each other bya distance of atleast several feet, ilustrated in PIG. 2. For example, separating the antennas by only 10 fect equates to a 40-dB propagation Joss in the PCS frequency band. In FIG. $2, two separate Antennas 921 and 922 ofa repeater are mounted on the walls 923 and 924 at opposite ends of a room or space within a building and are interconnected by a coaxial cable 928 extending along or within the ceiling 926. TInFIG. 83, two separateantennas931 and 932 are mounted ‘onoppesite sides ofan exterior wall 938 ofa building nd are inteoonnccted by a coaxial cable 934 extending though the ‘all 93. FIG. Ste illustrates an H-shaped repeater housing 935 that liminates the nee foe the cosa cable 94 i FIG. 52, and FIG, 3 illustrates an inverted-U-shaped housingUS 8,971,796 B2 23 (936 that aecomplishes the same result. FIG. S8e illustrates 3 repeater housing 937 having a central section that aot only spaces the two sides ofthe repeater from exch oer, but also i shoped oft overa poe Pt facilitate both the mounting of the repeater and the orientation of the antennas onthe oppo- site faces of the repeater. That i, the repeater 937 ean be ‘imply rotated around the pole Pto the desired angular posi- tion, FIG, Se ilusttes another form ofinverted-U-shaped repeater housing 938, and FIGS. S4/and 53g illustrate two rodifed housing structures 939 and 940 adapted to be mounted ona pole P. The housing 989 comprises 0 sections Joined by a couxinl cable 9392, FIG, 54 illustrates an embodiment in which a pair of ‘iplexers DI and D2 and an amplifier A are integrated ith ‘each ofthe two antennas 941 and 942 for simultaneous teans= mission of bidirectional signals between each antenna and 3 ‘common interconnecting coaxial eable 943. Altematvel all, the electronics ean be integrated with ust one ofthe antennas to further simplify the hardware and reduce the number of dipleners require, Instead of connecting the phy cally separated.antennas via ‘coaxial cable, the physically separated antennas can be ‘coupled wirelessly sng cther RF or infrared wireless cou- pling. The signals ariving atthe two antennas from outside the repeater are converted to a different frequency for the > local transmission between the two antennas within the repeater, to avoid interference with signals within thesystem band and thereby improve the total system gain. ‘Referring FIG. 85, within a repeating device 1010, in vidal lose gain amplification devices (eg. negative resis- tance amplifiers 1012, 1014) that separate input and output signals by their direction of propagation can be connected in rit with dircetional antennas 1016, 1OIB to provide lw pain, short range repeating devices or “repeating cells” 1010. In FIG. 86, numerous such repeating cells 1010 are arranged Jina parallel fashion within a repeater 1020 such that in the direction of propagation, the signals ofall the devices add ‘Tins, the otal gain ofthe repeating device 1020 isthe adi tive gain ofall the individual repeating cells O10, This device ‘nchides pai of repeaters 1020 and 10205, each constructed ‘of muiple cells 1010 ofthe type shown in FIG. 5. The two repeaters 1020 and 1020 may be connected in a “daisy chain” configuration, with one repeater 1020 passing a signal ‘o anor receiving «signal from the other repester 10200 In prictce, these two repeaters are located considerably Taher ‘apart than indicated in the somewhat simplified diggram of FIG. 56, In each coll 1010, « hybed coupler 1015 (FIG. $8) fune= tions to separate the incoming signal from the outgoing sig- nal, Filters 1022 and 1024 are also provided between the hybrid coupler 1018 andthe antennas 1016 and 1018, respec- tively. The practical isolation othe hybrid coupler is 15-20 ‘6B, which Limits the maximum gain of thenegaive sistance amplifier to 6-15 dB, Uso repeater range typically requires 50 to 60d total gin, The directive antennas 1016, 1018 can provide 19 dB gain each, and thus each cel ean have a gain of ‘as much as $3 dB (19419415). Accordingly the constuction ‘ofarepeating deve or repeater using plrality of such cells, in parallel is capable of providing considerable gain. ‘Moreover, its possible to constroct an individual cll of the generalized configuration of FIG, $8 with adequate repeater gain to mest the fypieal gain requirements ofa use repeater, The antennas 1016, 1018 can each be a 16 clement (Gtimes-4) fa-pane! array. Based on this approach, FIG. 57 shows one embodiment ofthe invention in which the repeater 1020 is configured in the form of a rectilinear box bowsing 1030, having opposed square (or rectangular) faces 1082 and o 24 shorter connecting sidewalls 1036, 1038. Radiating elem uel as a patch element 1016 for cach cell 010, are arayed fon faces 1032, The specific shape of the housing may’ be tifferont from that shosen Roferring now to FIG. 88, a repeater diversity system in cordance with funtar aspect of the invention is emplyed ‘narepeater system 1110 mountedonatower L112. Atte ip fend ofthe ower 1112, 2 mobile-facing antenna 1114 and base-sttion-facng antenna 1116 are mounted facing in gen- cnlly opposite directions. Appropriate fecds such as coaxial cables cr other suitable feedlines 1118 and 1120 respectively rin from the antennas 1114 and 1116 waa eletroniesenclo- sure 1122 located at a lower part ofthe tower 1112, in whieh the repeater associated electronic cirevity i located, which circuitey willbe further described in connection with FIG. 59. The antenna 1114 generally broadcasts and receives signals, relative to remote user location or subscriber equipment. Tie subscriber equipment may be mobile equipment such as inacellularor PCS system,orthelike. Thus, thesignal souree received by theuntenna 1144 from the remote equipment may bea mobile signal source, The antenna 1116 transmits and receives signals relative to a base station at some remote location, The repeater electronics 1122 boosts the signals as they are passed between the {Wo antennas, to enluance the communications berween the remote source and the base sation ‘As shown in FIG. $9, the antenna 1114 includes 2 main antenna 1130 and a receive (Rx) diversity antenna 1132. Ia ‘one embodiment, these two antennas 1130 and 1132 are arranged to have the same phase center but mutually orthogo- ‘al polarizations (see FIG. 61). By using thie arrangement, the problem of location-indvoed phase Variation is substan- tilly eliminated. This fact can be used to overcome the com- plications in differential phase variation of the mia and iversity signals of a mobile signal source, whea the signal source is moving over time relative to the repeater location ‘In the illstrted embodiment, the main mobile-facing ‘antenna 1130 and the basestation-facing antenna 1116 serve to both transmit and receive signals relative to the remote oF subscriber equipment and the base station, respectively Accordingly, each of these antennas is provided with afr ‘quency diplexer 1140, 1142 to accommodate the use of di {erent frequency bands in the uplink ad dewalink channels. Referring first to the uplink ehannel 1180, it will be seen thatthe receive signals from the main and Rx diversity anten- ‘as 1130, 1132 refed through respective low noiseamplifer (LNAYattenustor eireuits 1182, 1184and eombinedatacom- ‘ining network 1156, In one embodiment the combining net \work combines these signals with a fixed phase adjustment. Te incoming signal from the Rx diversity antenna 1132 is initially processed by a suitable filter 1188. The combined signal ftom the combining network 1186 s further processed by an uplink channel module 1160, amplified by a power amplifier 1162, and fed. to the donor antenna 1116 via its associated diplexer 1142. In acconlance with one embodi- ‘ment of the invention, the signals from the main and Rx versity antennas 1130, 1132 ae combined at the combining ‘network 1156 with equal gain from the low noise amplifiers 1182, 1184, Inthe ilustested embosimeat, the signals fo the antennas 1130 and 1132 are aligned in phase by the ‘combining network 1156 and uplink channel module 1160, in ‘addition to being combined with equal gain settings on each path, ‘Completing the electronics 1122, adownlink channel mod ‘ule 1170 receives signals transmitted from thebase station via the antenna 1116 and it associated frequency diplexer 1142, Which signals are fist amplified by a low noise amplifierUS 8,971,796 B2 25 (ENAVattenuator 1172. The output of the down Tink channel ‘module 1170 is fed through a power amplifier 1174 to the ‘plexer 1140 for transmission by the main antenna 1130. “Typically each channel module includes an upconverter, 2 fier, anda downconverter, Some gain may also be provided. Sitable channel modes are made by Andrew Corportion, the assignee In the system of the invention as described above, the two antennas 1130 and 1132 provide two separate versions ofthe ceive signals from the remote or subsriber equipement with statistically independent multipath characteristic, since the ‘Vertical and horizontal field components ins communications Tinkare highly uncoated, By using receive antennas 1130, 1132 that have the same phase center and mutually orthopo= nal polarizations, differential phase variations induced by the ‘changing oeation ofa mobile remote source are substantially ‘eliminated, This overcomes the usual challenge of equal gain ‘combining which requires that the two diversity paths be aligned in pase, since phase alignment would normally be made difficult by the changing location of te mobile signal 2 “Advantageously the invention makes possible the imple mentation of receive diversity in a repeater being vscd in 8 wireless communication system. The implementation of receive diversity ina repeater isnot imited to single type of system (e g., CDMAbut could be implemented for any igi- tal or analog-based wireless communications system. The invention provides, on average, a2.5 to 3 dB inerease in the average carrier-to-noise ratio ofthe received signa Rather than a single main mobilefacing antenna and a signal basestation-facing antenna as deseribed above, with requency diplexer, the repeater may employ separate trans- mit and receive antennas on both sides, utilizing separate signal paths in tent is shown in FIG. 60. ln this ease, the sig ‘main receive atenoa 11300 combined with the signal from the receive diversity antenna 1132at thecambiner 1186, ater bandpass filtering at filters 40a, 1158 and equal gain ampli fication at LNA’ 1152, 1154 In the case of separate transmit and receive base-station- facing antennas, an LNA 1172 receives signals from the antenna 11166 whieh it transmits through a dw lnk chan- nel module 1170, power amplifier 1174 and bandpass filter 11408 (0 the antenna 11305. Similarly, the main mobile- ‘acing receive antenna 1130a delivers received signals to ua NA 1152 (after bandpass filter 1140a), which, ypon being ‘combined with signals from the Rx diversity antenna 1132.1 combining network 1156 and processed atan uplink module 1160, are delivered via a power amplifier 1162 and transmit bandpass filter 11424 to @teansmit antenna 1116 for trans- rission to the base station, In one specific example of a CDMA repeater system, the uplink module 1160 employs a channelizer having again of about 24 dB or greater for an uplink path channel ina fre- ‘quency range from 1850 19 1910 MHz Similarly, the down- Tink module 1170 utilizes a channelizer having ® gain of at Jeast 24 dB fora dowalink path channel in a frequency range ‘0f1930t0 1990 MEz. In this embodiment, the gain ofthe low noise amplifiers 1182 and 1184 is 33 dD or greater, andthe ain of the power amplifiers 1162 and 1174 is 43 dB or uneater. FIG. 62 isa block diggram showing the use ofa typical RF Butler matrix 1220, These devices are used in analog eom- ‘munication to generate multiple antenna beams, froma com- posite antenna system having a plurality of anteana elements 1222. Butler matrices can be picased complete, oF gener- ‘ated from a composite cect of 90 degree ibid and RF 0 o 26 summer eireuits. In FIG, 62,2 total of Mantes, each with Similar characteristics, are used a the input to the Burler ‘matrix, The Butler matsix device then generates K unique RE (analog) outputs 1224, each fora respective beam direction. Equation (1) below isa general empirical equation (model) {for an M-point Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). This type ‘oftranstom is normally used in digital technotogies to derive the frequeney response, X(k), for series of time domain inputs, xi]. For example, a Fast Fourier Teansform (FET) is simplearadix-2 DFT. Thus, the FFT (or DFT) transforms the ‘ime domain response into a frequeney domain response. rae Gh ate Similarly, dhe Butler matrix acts a6 a transform from the spatial response, x[i], to the sectored (or beam) space response, XW) FIG. 63 shows an example ofa beam patter for one of the spatial elements (or antennas) 1222 from FIG. 62, Fach fntenna has a 120 degrce sector beamwidth, or Taf Poster ‘Beam Width (HPBW), The base-station-faeing antenna pref ‘erably has a narrower half power beamwidth than the mobile- facing antenna. For example, the beamwidth of the base- sation-facing antenna is typically about 30 degrees, plus oF ‘minus 5 degrees, while the beamwidth of the mobile-facing antenna is about 60 degrees, plus or minus 10 degrees. FIG, 64 shows four (4) similar antennas 1222 feeding a Butler matrix 1220 ina similar configuration to FIG. 63.Fach ‘input antenna has similar 120 degree HPBW, as shown in FIG. 63, Forthis case, M~4in equation (1) above. The Bur matrix is therefore a 4-port deviee, with 4 input ports and 4 ‘output ports. The output por 1224 in FIG, 64 are labeled ‘witha numerical designation forthe RF output foreach beam, ccoresponding to the numerical designation of the antenna clements 1222 atthe inp ports. FIG. 68 shows the azimuth beamwidts response forthe Butler mate in FIG. 64 Each beam bas a beamwidth equiva Tent to roughly 120 degrees divided by four (or M), which gly 30 degrees. Additionally the direction for cach ofthe 4 output beams is uniformly spaced by about 30 degrees ‘Therefore, the Butler matrix transforms the response of 4 ‘wide angle antennas, all pointing in the same direction (thus all “seeing” exactly the same view), into 4 narrower beams, ‘whieh collectively give substantially the original view “The Butler matrix can also operate in “reverse,” assuming ‘hat the Butler matrix components (and RF switch, discussed below) can handle the RE power. Thais, so fa, the system has ‘een shown operating in the eeeive mode, changing spatial responses to beam responses, However, the system also ea ‘operate in reverse or transmit’ mode, changing beam responses o (wider angle) spatial responses. To operate inthe transmit mode, the system would need to be capable of an- ling RP transmit power, and not destroy or “bum up” the RE ‘components FIG. 66 shows a simplified view of a PCB (printed circuit board)-mounted system 1300 or “planar switehod beam ‘antenna Here, M antenna elements 1322 (shown here as square patches, of microstrip antennas) mounted on one su Tice of a PCB 1328 are used forthe input response. I is assumed that all M antenna elements 1322 have a similar ‘azimuth response. Pach antenna response, tapped via a coaxial probe, aperture coupling, or other antenna feedUS 8,971,796 B2 27 mechanism 1323, directed toan M-port Butler matx 1320, shown as block “A” also mounted on the PCB 1328. The CRF beam outputs 1324 from the Butler matrix are ed tan IME RF switch 1326 (showen as block “S") also mounted on the PCB 1325, The Butler matrix 1820 and RF switeh 1326 ‘could be mounted on a sepamte PCB if desired and in 3 ‘common housing with the antennas 1322 nd PCB 1328. Its sssumed thatthe ial ont RF signal, from a given antenna ‘element 1322, s the stationary response of the system Thais, the RE switch 1326 would be extemal controlled and sequentially switeh through each of the beams. Some ‘extemal system Would monitor or qualify each output 10 ‘determine the optimal or desired one, at which point the RF ‘witch would he controlled to select that respective antenna ‘element 1322, An RF transceiver or moxlem 1328 fogs the RF switch 1326, each beam, measures the net power output (or other measurement, sich as best C/I, of lowest noise et.) ‘ofeach, then selects the beum with the best power (or other measurement, such as best C/, or lowest noise et). “This system, ifused in both the transmitund receive modes, x assumes thatthe patch antenna elements 1322, Butler matrix its 1320, and RF switch 1326, all have bandwith cov ‘ering the entre transmit anc receive signal bands. Ths, the system can operate in both directions: converting wide spatial responses intoa single seletecl beam (for receive), and transmitting a signal back towards the desired diretia ((ransmit mode), assuming sulicient bandwidth and transmit power handling capacity as noted above, "The aay of antennas 1322 cou he formed inthe vertical plane, to generate elevation beams, as aa alternative to the horizontal array of FIG. 66, 5 discussed below with reference HIG. 77, FIG. 67 showsa simplified top view ofthe layeredstructure ‘of one of the patch elements of FIG. 66, showing the pateh Structure 1322, « ground plane 1342 (above the surface ofthe PCB 1328) with an aperture coupled irs 1344, and a micros- trip transmission line 1323 on the PCB. 1325, carrying the signal TIG, 68 shows a simplified circuit diagmm for the RF switch 1326, M RF transmission lines 1324 are each con- nected in parallel, vis PIN diodes (or other transistorsoic Sate switching devices, for RF operational frequencies) 1380, ta single point. Eack PIN diode 1380 is controlled vis control (C) or bias Fine 1382; acting asa electronic switeh ing cireuit. While only 10 contol lines 1382 are show, there are M control lines (C) in total, one for each PIN diode 1350, The M control lines 1352 can be operated froma single ‘contol ine (not shown in FIG. 68) by use ofa microcontroller (ot shown in FIG. 68) or a TTL (binary) logie device (aot shown) IG, 69 shows a block diagram ofa system having com- ponents as deseribed above with reference to FIG. 66. The ‘contol input 1382 0 the Mel RE switch 1326 can come fom an RF to IF transosiver, or from a modem, determined by the beam selection erteria used. A common housing for the antennas 1322, Butler matrix 1320 and RP switch 1326, Which may be mounted to one or more PCBS (see FG, 6) is indicated by reference numeral 1355 FIG. 70shows block diagram similar to FIG. 68, but with an RF to IF transceiver (or transverte, as called in MMDS) 41360 added (e-., mounted on the same PC board 1328). The RP circuitry block could include the Butler matrix, the RF switch, and various transceiver components, al on the same PC hoard as the antenna, or on one or more separate boards, if desired, and in the same housing 1388, IG. 71 shows a similaeblock diagram to FIG. 70, but with the modem 1362 added to the system. The modem 1362 0 o 28 would contol the M:l RF switeh 1326 sine it would likely have the most flexible capabilities to analyze the various nex inputs (beams), and determine the optimal beam. AIL these components may be on one or more PCBs ina common housing 1885. The output fom the modem could connect t0 PC oF LAN (not shown) via USB cable, ethemet, ar LAN cable 1364, FIG. 72 shows a simplified perspective view of a physicel embodiment of a planar system (unit) 13002, of FIG. 71, with various elements (Butler matrix “B", RP switeh “S", Trans- cviver “T”, and Modem “Mall within the same housing (ea, a elaively thn rectilincar stricture or onthe same PC board 1325, nthe case where itis desirable to separate the transmit and receive systems, ori the transmit and receive hands are 100 {ar separated, in frequency to occupy the same antenna ele- ‘ments (or Butler matrix components, of RF switch compo sents), then they can be broken into two completely separate systems. Such a system 13005 is shown in FIG. 73, where & setof transmit mode patches 1322 conneetsto its own Buler ‘matrix 13207 and RF switch 1326T, and similarly, for the receive mode, set of equivalent antenna elements 1322R (in this ease, shown as patches) tuned to the receive hand, 2 ‘Butlermatrix 1320R snd RP switch 1326R. The system inp ‘output is two RF ports 1970T and 1370R. The whole system js contained ona single PC board 128 and/or within single housing (ie, could be on more than one PC board in the housing), FIG. 74 shows a block diagram for the system in FIG. 73. “There ate M receive band antenna elements 1322R, and N transmit band antenns elements 13227. Generally speaking, M can, but does not have 10 equal N. Additionally, each system has 9 separate control input 1352R, 13621 for the respective RF switch. Indeed, this allows selection of differ ‘ent beams forthe transmit and receive bands. This may be the casei desired signal so be received fromagiven deection, but the transmitted signal might be sent out in another dinee- sion, FIG. 75 shows the system of FIG. 74 withthe addition of an RF to TF downconverter (or receiver) 1372 forthe receive ‘mode, and an IF to RP upconverter (or tansmitterexciter) 1374 Tor the transmit mode. The system can connect to an extemal modem (aot shown) via coaxial cables) or twisted pair transmission line 1376, The system shown here uses Single cable; Which assumes that the transmit and receive band signals are TF diplexed into a signal cable, from the FIG, 76 shows the system of FIG. 78, and further including ‘an emesis! modem 1362. The modem 1362 ean be, bit doesnot have tobe, included on the same PCB as ether oF both the antenna system, andlor transceivers. However i is assumed thatthe systems shown in each of FIGS. 74-76 are contained within respective housings 1388, ie, each ofthese ‘awings shows a system which is contained in its own hows ing 1385, FIG. 77 shows a system 1300¢ similar to tha of FIG. 66, but using M elevation arrays 1390 of antenna elements 1420 in place of an array of M individual elements. Each column 1390-1, 1390-2, ec, of antenna elements, which fort eleva- ‘ion beams, cat be summed, using a parallel or corporate ‘eed, and input tothe Butler matrix 1420, Ths ean similarly bbe done forthe ease of summed azimuth elements, i. hori ‘zontal arrays (not shown), with switched beams inthe ele. tion plane ‘The systems described thus far may wilize PC beard tech- ology (planar and thin) with patch or microstrip antenna elements. By design, pate element has real pround plane,US 8,971,796 B2 29 ‘and therefore each patch element only “sees” a 180 dearee (half hemisphere) view. Thus, the systems shown so far, are enerally “one-sided.” An option to obtain full 360 degree ‘coverage is to employ two such systems, back to back, t0| enerate an effective omni-directional system 1300, as shown in FIG. 78. These ean be deployed within the same housing (strcture). Fach system generates a beam input! ‘output; one for the “Iront” Oto 180 degree view, andthe other forthe “back” 180 10 360 degree (azimuth) view: Thus, the system breaks up the 360 view angle into 2M beams, cach ‘with elative beams about 360/2M degrees, Adcitionaly, the vo inpuvoutput eam ports ean be connected to 42:1 RE switch (with contro}, not shown, to obtain selection of the final (stationary) beam. However, with this approach, the beams in the endfite direction (lowards the edgesor the PCB) ‘are highly attenuated (gain), due tothe limited view angle for ‘patch antenna (element. "An alternative method to obtain a full 360 degree view gle is to use dipole (etched) antenna elements 1822, on 2 PCB 1825, as shown in FIG. 79. Each dipole (chown as “bowtie” dipole elements, which have broadband character istics) has a Very symmetric azimuth patter fora full 360 degroccaverige. This system does not employ a backplane or round, asd the patches. Similar tothe previous designs, this System uses a Butler matrix 1520 and RF switch 1526, 10 eneratea single RF inputoutput port 1870. However, along the symmetry plane ofthe printed circuit board (PCB) 1525, the dipoles 1822 hve mirror azimuth beams, as shown i FIG. 40, Thus, selection of Beam #1 towards the back, also sclets Ream 1 tard the front. In the example shown in FIG. 80, there are only 4 states to choose from, and swites 126 selects two beams, in summation; one from each side of the symmetry plane, TIG. 81 shows a typical installation, ether ina home oF ‘office, with an antenna system 1300 in accordance with any of the embodiments described above located on wall, with & ‘cable ran 1302 down the wall, toa PC of server 1304, FIGS, 82 and 83 show an antenna unit 1400, alone, and installedtoa laptop computer L402, Wireless intemet systems regi large bandwidths and data rates (over 50 kbps, up 0 2000 kbps), much higher than conventional wirclese voice systems (9.8 kbs), To achieve these rates requires much higher system gain levels, These gains ean only be obtained by either reducing the distance from the base station (or picocell wo theremote (CPE unit, terminal unit) orby inereas- Ing the directive gains of the base station antenna andor terminal equipmest antenna, Antenna gainisa fanetion ofthe physial size of the antenna, Aesthetics and zoning. issues Timits increasing the size of the base station antenna (to achieve additional directive gain) Thus, one altemative isto increase the gain of the terminal equipment antenna, which means increasing its piysical size. Curently wireless voice systems (om a handset) use 2” stub (monopole) omni-diree- tional antennas, with at best 0 dBi of gain, To satisfy the higher data rates, requires additional gain oF at east 10d (20 dB desires), “The RF Switched Beam Planar Antenna deseribed aboveis| 8 good approach for this requirement, and is cost effective. This application would embed the RF elecioaies within the antenna 1400, and mount the system to the laptop unit The switched beams would continually sear forthe best multi path signal, and lock on transporting this signal to the ‘modem, The envelop ofthe beams is within an ellipse; with the majoraxis ofthe ellipse in the directions perpendicular to the faces of the antenna system. Thus, the side (endfie) angles of the system would have mach lower (reduced) gain. A series of LEDS 1404 of other suitable display elements 0 o 30 could be use (Shown atthe fop), which could aid the user to helporientthe unit, tomore optimally erent the antenna faces ‘owands directions of greater signal power "The fat panel antenna 1400 may further have a USB or other suitable connection 1406 fo interface with the lapon ‘computer 1402, The cable or other connector 1406 may alse Jncide a power cable to use battery or other power from the laptop computer 1402, of altematively, on-board battery power may’be included within the flat panel antenna unit 1400. I desire, the battery used may be asolar powered type of battery, In the illustrated embodient, the Nat panel antenna 1400 has a generally L-shaped eros-sectonal profile sue thatthe LEDs 1404 or other display elements are readily visible over thetop ofthe laptop computer 1402 when theantenna 1400 is stalled therenpon, a indicated in FIG, 83, However, other shapes of the panel 1400 and other configurations and loca tions Of LEDE of other display elements may be wtlized ‘without departing from the invention. "The flat panel antenna unit 1400 may be coupled with the case or hosing of the laptop computer 1402 by using one or more veler pads 1408, or “sticky” tpe, oF the Tike. Other arrangements of snap-on, sap-off fasteners or ather mount- ing pars or mounting hardware may be utilized without ‘deparingfeom the invention. The LEDs or other display elements 1404, as wel as suit. able circuitry for determining signal strength, or some other esirable messure of signal quality may be incorporated in the fat panel antenna 1400, or indeed in any antenna config- ‘ured in accordance ith the invention. Certsin of the flat antennas described ahove may have azimuth andor elevation beamwidihs of 90 degree. o less, ‘which can restiet or redice coverage inthe end-fire ince” tions. To achieve wider angle coverage, multiple antennas say be used on one oF both sides of the flat-panel repeater, ‘One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG, 84, where a repeater 1800 has a single hase-station-facing antenna 1501, and three mobiesfacing antennas 1802, 1803 and 1504. The plane of the middle antenns 1503 is parallel ta that of the ‘ase-station-facing antenna 1501, but the planes af the other ‘seo antennas 1502 and 1504 interscet the planes of antennas 1501 and 1503 at angles of abou 45 degree. so 38 to produce ‘beams that overlap the beat of the middle antenna 1503, as illustrate by the broken fines in FIG. 84, The azimuth beam- Width of the middle aatenna 1503 is typically oaly about 80 degree. but the addition ofthe two angie antennas 1502 and 1804 provides wide angle coverage on the mobile side of the repeater FIG. 85 illustrates how an RF splitter 1S05 ean be used to connect all tine mobile-facing antennas 1502- 1504 tthe same diplexer 1506. It will be understood that the same srranigement illustrated in FIGS. 84 and 8S can also be used to provide wide-angle elevation coverage by simply ‘lating the sircture 90.degree, so that FIG. 84 becomes @ Side elevation rather than atop plan view: FIG, 86 illustrates an altematve technique for achieving ‘wide-angle azimuth coverage by using dipole 1510 as the :mobie-lacing antenn, withthe ajacent surface 1811 ofthe flat-panel repeater 1512 serving a fat reflector. The com- bination ofthe dipole 1510 and the reflector 1S11 produces 9 ‘wide-angle azimuth beamwidth. FIG. 87 illusteates a med tied repeater 1813 which farms a shaped (eoncave) reflector 1814onthemobile-facing side to farther increase the azimuth ‘eamiah ‘The antennas on opposite sides ofthe flat-panel repeater ‘may also be mounted in planes that are not parallel 0 each ther to reach the desired coverage areas. For example, FIG. 88lluscates a repeater 1820 having a mobile-facing antennaUS 8,971,796 B2 31 ng in a plane that intersects the plane ofthe base station-ficing antenna 1522 at an angle theta to service & mobile coverage area located in the direction ofthe beam axis 1523 of the antenna 1521 ‘The repeater may also be designed to retransmit signalsin adircetion orthogonal tothe dircction in which the signals are received by the repeater. The onhogonal relationship of the ‘vo paths may be in azimuth in elevation, ora combination of the two. For example, FIG. 89 illstates a repeater 1530 designed to receive horizontally propagating signals and re- ‘eansmit them vertically downward. Suc.a repeater is useful, or example, when the epeater must be located above the Jnended coverage area, of Where the signal-to-noise ration is best at a location higher than the intended coverage area. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 89, base station signals propagated alongahorizonalpathare eceivedby a vertically Polarized monopole (or dipole) 1531 extending upwardly from one side (top) of the Hat-panel repeater 1830, and then restransmitted vertically downward BY a flat, horizontally polarized antenns 1882 on the opposite side (bottom) af the Fepenter. ground plane 1833 forthe antenna 1832 is pro- vided on the lower surface of the repeater body which con- tains the clocronies, The polarization difference between the to antennas 1881 and 1832 improves the isolation between the wo antennas. ‘Referring nest to FIG. 90, there is shown a antenna sys- ‘em for e-ransmitinga GPS signal 1409 insidea structures. ‘The antenna system includes a link antenna 1412 for receiv~ ing the GPS signal 1409 from a GPS transmiting antenna 1411, a GPS repeater 1414 for amplifying the received GPS signal 1410 to produce a sccond GPS signal 1415 and 2 broadcast antenta 1416 for re-lensmiting the second GPS signal 1415 inside the stricture 5. This emboxliment works best where the structure 5 has the dimensions ofa two-story building. “The GPS repeater 1414 feeds the received GPS signal 1410 into the stricture 5. In one embodiment, the external lnk antenna 1412 captures the GPS signal 1409 and feeds it tothe GPS repester 1414, The GPS repeater 1414 boosts the received GPS signal 1410 ancl drives an intemal broadcast antenna 1416 that radiates thesscond GPS signal 1415 inside the structure 5. The present invention overcomes the inability of GPS. receivers to work inside a struetuee, which i a major shor ‘coming ofthe Global Positioning System. As the GPS is sed ‘nore commercial applications, the ability to overcome this shortcoming becomes very important. Fxamples of eommer- ‘ial uses ofthe GPS include: Enhanced 911 service; wireless phone services tht provide an Intemet connection; wireless services that provide the location of, e., hotels, estaneants, and businesses; services tht provide assistance to the elderiy and handicapped and locator services (provide bye, rental ‘car companies) that provide location information that ean be received inside structures sch as parking garages, buildings ‘and tunnels ‘In one embodiment, the GPS repeater 1414 includes the ‘components shovin in FIG. 92, Those components include & ‘band pass filter 1418, alow noise amplifier 1420, again block 1422, a power amp 1424 and second band pass filter 1426. The band pass fillers 1418 and 1426 are selected s0 as t0 reduce the out-of-band signals, For a GPS repeater system, the pas band sill usally be around 1575.42 MHz (+/~500 FIZ) In one embodiment, the gain block 1422 includes 2 radio frequency (RE) amplifier 1428, a band pass filtr 1430 ‘and a second RF amplifier 1432, a shown in FIG. 98, ‘In another embodiment shown in FIG. 94, the gain block 1422 includes a mixer 1434 for down converting the GPS 0 o 32 signal 1410 to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal 1436. The GPS signal 1410 is combined by a mixer 14M with 3 Jocal oscillator (LO) signal 1440 to produce the IF signal 1436. In one embodiment, the IF is between about 140 MH to 160 MHz, depending on the application. Thus, where the LO signal 1440 is 1640 MIlzand the GPS signal 1410 is 1.5 Giz, then the IF signal would be 140 ME. The TF signal 1436 is amplified by amplifiers 1442 and filtered by a band pass filer 1444, The band pas filer 1444 significantly ‘educesthe complex componcntsorimages ofthe GPS signal 1410 and the LO signal 1440. second mixer 1446 converts the IF signal 1436 to produce the RP signal 1438, The IF signal 1436 is combined by the second mixer 1446 with the LO signal 1440 to prodice the RP signal 1438. In one embodiment, the IF s between about 140 MEIzt0 160 Miz, ‘depending oa the application. This, where the LO signal 1440 is 1640 MFIzand the IF signal is 140 Miz, then the RF Signal 1438 is 1.5 GHz. Therefor, in ths embodiment, the [RF signal 1438 isthe second GPS signal 1415. In one embodiment, the RF signal 1438 is an unlicensed frequency signal. The unlicensed frequency signal can be in any frequency ringe not licensed by the Federal Comayuni- cations Commission (ECC). Some examples of unlicensed ‘requency bands include: 902-998 MHz and 2.4 GHz. ‘Referring to FIG. 91, there is shown an antenna system 1540 forre-transmitting «received GPS signal 1541 inside a structure 1542. The antenna system 1540 includes a link antenna 1543 for receiving the GPS signal 1841, « primary GPS repeater 1845 for amplifying the GPS signal 1841 to produce an RF signal 1838, first broadcast antenna 1847 t0 broadcast the RF signal 1538 to one of more sccondary repeaters 1650 located to cover the intended coverage area ‘nde the sticture 1542. The RF signal IS38 i hroadast to the secondary repeater(s) 1650 at either the original GPS roquency oF another available Frequency. In one embodi- ‘ment, the RF signal 1538 is in one ofthe unlicensed frequency bands such as the Instrumentation, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency band of 962 MHz-928 Milz. Fach second- fry repeater 1650 receives the RE signal 1838 via a link ‘antenna 1544, amplifies the RF signal 1538 to produce 2 second GPS signal 1546 and re-Irnsmits the second GPS Signal 1546 via a second broadeast antenna 1548 inside the structure 1842. The secondary repeater(s) 1680 may be placed inside the structure 1842 or even placed extemal tothe Structure 1842 such thatthe RP signal 1538 can be re-ian ‘ited into the structure through the windows or walls ofthe structure. This embodiment works best where the stuctire 1542 has the dimensions ofa nmut-story building Tnone embodiment, the primary repeater 1845 ncludesthe ‘components shown in FIG. 95. Those components include @ ‘band pss filter 1849, low noise amplifier 1580, 2 gainblock 1551, » power amp 1582 and second band pass filter 1853. In ‘one éabodiment, the gain block 1881 includes, as shown ia FIG. 96, a mixer 1888 for down converting the GPS signal 1541 oan I signal 1887. The GPS signal 1841 is combined bya miner 1888 witha local oscillator (LO) signal 1884 t0 produce the IF signal 1887. In one embodiment, the IF is between about 140 MHz to 160 MHz, depending on the ‘pplication. Thus, where theO sigal 16408 1640MHVz and the GPS signal 1541 is 1.5 GHz, then the IF signal would be 140 MHz, The IF signal 1887 is amplified by amplifiers 1586 and filtered by a band pass filter 1862, The band pass filter 1562 significantly reduces the complex. components or ‘mages of the GPS signal 1841 and the LO signal 1884. second mixer 1588 up converts the IF signal 1884 to produce the RF signal IS38. The IP signal 1884 is combined by the second mixer 1588 with second LO signal 1568 to produceUS 8,971,796 B2 33 the RF signal 1538. In one embodiment, the IF is betwee about 140 MHz to 16 MHz, depending on the spplication. ‘Thus, wher the second LO signal 164s 762 MHzand the IF signal is 140 MHz, then the RF signal 1838 is 902 MHz. ‘none embodiment, the secondary repeater 1650 includes the components showen in FIG. 97. Those components inclade a band pass filter 1618, a low noise amplifier 1620, 9 sain block 1622, a power amp 1624 and second band pass filter 1626, none embodiment, the gain block 1622 inchudes, as shown in FIG. 98, a mixer 1690 for down converting the RF signal 1838 to an IF signal 1672. The RF signal 1838 is ‘combines by a mixer 1670 with a local oscillator (LO) signal 1678 to produce the IF signal 1672. In one embodiment, the IF is betveen about 140 ME to 160 MElz, depending on the application. Thus, where the LO signal 1540 is 742 MHz and the RF signal 1538 is 902 MHz, then the IF signal would be 160 MHz. The IF signal 1672 is amplified by amplifies 1674 and filtered by a band pass filter 1676. The band pass filter 1676 significantly reduces the complex components or mages ofthe RE signal 1838 and the fist LO signal 1678. second mixer 1680 converts the IP signal 1672 to price the Second GPS signal 1615, The IP signal 1672is combined hy the second mixer 1680 with a second LO signal 1682 to produce the second GPS signal 1615. Inone embodiment, the IF is between about 140 ME to 160 MHz, depending on the application, Thus, where the second LO signal 1682 8 1340 Mi and the IF signal is 160 MF1z, then the second GPS signal 1615 is 1.5 GHz “Thus, the GPS repeater system af the present invention fills the GPS anil or “bank areas within structures. In this Way, the GPS can be used to loete individuals inside buildings Tunnels, garages, te: Tn another embodiment, the repester system ofthe present ‘inventions used in satelite tasmission applications such as digital radi. Like GPS applications, digital radio signals, transmitted by satellites ean be obstucted from receiving antennas by structures sachs buildings, car garages, tunnels, ‘ete. Therefore, the claimed repeater is eapable of re-transmit ting a satellite signal inside a structure sach that an nninter rupted satellite signal can be transmitted toa receiver, ‘While the present invention has hoon ilhistrated by 3 description of one or more embodiments thereof and while these embodiments have boon described in considerable ‘detail, they ae not intended to restrict or in sy way limit the cope of the appended claims to such detail. Additonal ‘advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in sts broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative ‘apparatus nd method, and illustrative examples shown and, sdeseribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such ‘details without departing from the seope ofthe general inven= tive concept, ‘What is claimed is 1. signal repeating element comprising: housing: fat Teast one transmit antenna element positioned on one side othe housing for transmitting a Signal that is being repeated: a Jeast one receive antenna element positioned on thesame fone side of the housing as the at least one transmit fntenna element for receiving a signal that is 10 be repeated receiver cireuitry coupled with the at least one reesive ‘antenna element, transmitter cirvitry coupled with the atleast one transmit antenna element, 0 o 34 first phase circuitry for alfeting phase of signals from the ‘at least one receive antenna element, the fist phase circuitry coupled between the at least one receive antenna element and the receiver ccc: sevond pase circuitry for allecting phase of signal from the at least one transmit antenna clement, the second ‘hase circuitry coupled between theatleastone transmit antenna element and the transmitter circuit 2. The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the at least one receive senna element snd the receiver circuitry «establishes an uplink pach in dhe signal repeating element, 3. The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the at Jeast one transnit antenna element aad the transmitter cir city establishes a dowalink path in the signal repeating clement. 4. The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the at Jeast one receive antenna element isa dipole element. '5. The signal repenting element of claim 4 wherein the at least one dipole receive antenna element is a bowtie dipole clement. 6. The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the at least one receive atenai clement is one of patch antenna clement ora microstip antenna element "7. The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the st Jeast ne transmit anteana element is dipole element '8. The signal repeating element of claim 7 wherein the at least one dipole transmit antenna element isa bowtie dipole clement. 9. The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the at least one transit antenna element is one ofa patch antenna clement ora mierostip antenna element 10, The signal repeating element of claim 1 further com prising a plurality of transmit antenna elements. 11, The signal repeating clement of claim I further com prising «plurality of receive antenna elements. 12, The signal repeating element of claim 1 further com- prising an adaptive cancellation ctcuit coupled with the at Teast one reeive antenna element and the receiver circuitry ‘and configured for zenerating a cancellation signal for redue- ing feedhack signals present in the uplink path 13, The signal repeating element of claim 1 further com- prising an adaptive cancellation circuit coupled with the at Teast one receive antenna element and the receiver circuitry and configured for generating cancellation signal for redue- ing feedback signals present in the uplink path 14, The signal repeating element of claim 1 wherein the first phase circuitry coupled between the at least one receive ‘antenna element und the receiver ciety includes a beam- forming circuit 15, The signal repeating clement of claim 14 wherein the ‘beamforming circuit includes a Butler mati. 16, The signal repeating element of claim 1 whercin the second phase circuitry coupled between theatleastone trans- ‘mit antenna element and the transmitter circuitry includes a beamforming eieuit 17. The signal repeating element of claim 16 wherein the ‘beamforming circuit includes a Butler matin. 18. The signal repeating element of claim 1 whereinat least ‘one transmit antenna and at least onc receive antenna element dave different polarizations 19, The signal repeating element of claim 18 wherein the ifferent polarizations are mutually thogonal polarizations. 20, The signal repeating clement af clin 1 further com- prising a plurality of transmit antenna elements and a plural-US 8,971,796 B2 35 36 fay of reeive anteans elements and respective frst and second phase circuitry for affecting the phase of signals from each of the antenna elements