Method and apparatus for antenna diversity in a wireless communication system

An apparatus for selecting one of at least two antennas in a communication unit for use in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• receiver means for receiving a signal from a currently selected one of the at least two antennas, the signal comprising a digital communications format comprising a plurality of valid data patterns and an invalid data pattern that is not transmitted;
• switch means coupled to the receiver means and to the at least two antennas for coupling the currently selected one of the at least two antennas to the receiver means;
• invalid data pattern detection means coupled to the receiver means for detecting the invalid data pattern in the signal received;
• and
• selector means coupled to the switch means and to the invalid data pattern detection means for selecting for a subsequent period one of the at least two antennas in response to a count of occurrences of the invalid data pattern.

A communication unit for use in a wireless communication system, the communication unit comprising an apparatus for selecting one of at least two antennas, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a signal from a currently selected one of the at least two antennas, the signal comprising a digital communications format comprising a plurality of valid data patterns and an invalid data pattern that is not transmitted;
• a switch coupled to the receiver and to the at least two antennas to the receiver;
• an invalid data pattern detector coupled to the receiver for detecting the invalid data pattern in the signal received;
• and
• a selector coupled to the switch and to the invalid data pattern detector for selecting for a subsequent period one of the at least two antennas in response to a count of occurrences of the invalid data pattern.