Adaptive array antenna system and method of controlling directivity thereof

An adaptive array antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna elements each of which has a phase-amplitude change means for modifying a received signal, the adaptive array antenna system further comprising combiner means for summing up output signals from the phase-amplitude change means responding to received signals and supplying a resulting sum signal to demodulator means, said adaptive array antenna system comprising:

• means for sequentially switching states of the phase-amplitude change means with each different preamble cycle of a received signal;
• means for sequentially accepting output signal from the combiner means during switching operation of the switching means and recording signals received by all the antenna elements by utilizing plural ones of the preamble cycles;
• and
• means for controlling directivity of the antenna system by making use of the recorded signals.

An adaptive array antenna system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna elements;
• a plurality of phase-amplitude change modules, each being mounted in one of the antenna elements respectively and configured to modify phase and amplitude of a signal received by the antenna element;
• a combiner module configured to sum up output signals from the phase-amplitude change modules;
• a frequency conversion module configured to convert frequencies of an output signal from the combiner module;
• an analog-to-digital module configured to convert an output signal from the frequency conversion module into a digital signal;
• a phase shift-amplitude calculation module configured to calculate values of the phase-amplitude change modules for dynamically controlling directivity of the antenna system;
• and
• a phase-amplitude determination module configured to determine values of the phase-amplitude change module, based on results of the calculations performed by the phase shift-amplitude calculation module;
• wherein said phase shift-amplitude calculation module is configured to a) sequentially switch states of the phase-amplitude change modules with each different preamble cycle of received signal by the phase-amplitude determination module, b) sequentially accept output signals from the phase-amplitude change modules during the processing for the sequential switching and recording signals received by all the antenna elements by making use of plural ones of the preamble cycles, and c) calculate values of the phase-amplitude change modules for dynamically controlling directivity of the antenna system by utilizing the recorded signals.

An array antenna system comprising:

• a plurality of antenna elements and phase amplitude change modules, wherein at least one phase amplitude change module is connected to each antenna element and configured to modify the phase and/or amplitude of a signal received by the antenna element;
• an adder configured to add signals from the phase amplitude change modules;
• and
• a control module connected to the adder and the phase amplitude change modules, the control module being configured to:
• adjusting the parameters of the phase amplitude change modules and storing the output from the adder during a plurality of preamble cycles of a signal received by the antenna, wherein only one of the phase amplitude change module provides a signal output at any time during the preamble cycles;
• and
• determining the parameters of the phase amplitude change modules to dynamically control the directivity of the antenna system based on the recorded output from the adder during the plurality of preamble cycles.