Configurable antenna and method of operating such a configurable antenna

A method of operating an antenna apparatus for communication via a wireless network, wherein the antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna, wherein the directional antenna is a uniform linear antenna array, a uniform circular antenna array, and a mounting portion configured to be fixed relative to a physical location of the antenna apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving wireless signals via the uniform circular antenna array;
• positioning the directional antenna in rotation about an axis with respect to the mounting portion in dependence on the wireless signals received by the uniform circular antenna array;
• and
• controlling the uniform linear antenna array using linear array control circuitry comprising a set of switches, gain circuitry and phase circuitry for array elements of the uniform linear antenna array to control gain and phase of the array elements such that the uniform linear antenna array is operated with a beam pattern selected from a set of beam patterns, wherein the set of beam patterns provides a range of directionality and interference nulling, and wherein the beam pattern is selected in dependence on the wireless signals received by the uniform circular antenna array.

Antenna apparatus for communication via a wireless network comprising:

• means for directionally transmitting and receiving wireless signals, comprising a uniform linear antenna array;
• means for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a uniform circular manner;
• means for mounting the means for directionally transmitting and receiving wireless signals fixedly relative to a physical location of the antenna apparatus;
• means for positioning the uniform linear antenna array in rotation about an axis with respect to the means for mounting the antenna apparatus in dependence on the wireless signals received by the means for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a uniform circular manner;
• and
• means for controlling the uniform linear antenna array comprising a set of switches, gain circuitry and phase circuitry for array elements of the uniform linear antenna array to control gain and phase of the array elements such that the uniform linear antenna array is operated with a beam pattern selected from a set of beam patterns, wherein the set of beam patterns provides a range of directionality and interference nulling, and wherein the beam pattern is selected in dependence on the wireless signals received by the means for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a uniform circular manner.