Adaptive antenna for use in wireless communication systems

A method for manufacturing a directive antenna, comprising:

• providing a dielectric layer;
• attaching at least one active antenna element and plural passive antenna elements to the dielectric layer;
• and
• electrically coupling at least a subset of the passive antenna elements to respective selectable impedance components independently selectable (a) to affect the phase of respective, re-radiated, link signals to be communicated between a first wireless unit and a second wireless unit by said at least one active antenna element to form a composite beam that may be positionally directed between the first wireless unit and second wireless unit and (b) according to an essentially optimal impedance setting. as determined (i) from parameters of a received pilot signal transmitted from the first wireless unit or (ii) based on a signal quality metric of a signal transmitted by either the first wireless unit or second wireless unit.