Smart antenna based spectrum multiplexing using a pilot signal

An apparatus having a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive a plurality of data signals and a plurality of pilot signals, each data signal from the plurality of data signals being uniquely associated with a pilot signal from the plurality of pilot signals, each pilot signal from the plurality of pilot signals having a first characteristic and a second characteristic, comprising:

• a plurality of circuits each coupled to an antenna element from the plurality of antenna elements, each circuit having:
• a filter, the filter configured to receive the plurality of data signals and the plurality of pilot signals, the filter configured to produce a first signal component and a second component;
• a first weight-application module coupled to the filter, the first weight-application module configured to receive the first signal component and to apply a first weight value to the first signal component;
• and
• a second weight-application module coupled to the filter, the second weight-application module configured to receive the second signal component and to apply a second weight value to the second signal component;
• a processor coupled to the plurality of circuits, the processor configured to determine a first pilot signal from the plurality of pilot signals based on the first characteristic of the first pilot signal;
• and
• a best solution selector coupled to the first weight-application module and the second weight-application module of each circuit from the plurality of circuits, the best solution selector configured to select an iteration value for the first weight value and the second weight value based on the second characteristic of the pilot signal.

A method for using a pilot signal in a communication receiver having a plurality of antenna elements, comprising:

• receiving a plurality of data signals and a plurality of pilot signals;
• identifying a first pilot signal from the plurality of pilot signals based on a first characteristic of the first pilot signal from the plurality of pilot signals;
• and
• adjusting a plurality of weight values associated with the plurality of antenna elements so that a second characteristic of the first pilot signal is substantially optimized with respect to the second characteristic of the remaining pilot signals from the plurality of pilot signals,
• whereby a first data signal from the plurality of data signals and being uniquely associated with the first pilot signal is substantially optimized by the adjusting of the plurality of values associated with the plurality of antenna elements.