High data rate communications network employing an adaptive sectored antenna

A method of steering an adaptive antenna comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving an antenna training sequence;
• b) based on said antenna training sequence, determining a bit error rate (BER) signal based on said received antenna training sequence;
• c) determining a receive signal strength indication signal (RSSI) based on said received antenna training sequence;
• d) determining if the BER signal is in a first logical relationship with a predetermined BER signal;
• if yes, further determining whether the RSSI signal is in a second logical relationship with a predetermined RSSI signal;
• if yes, asserting a VALID.sub.-- DATA signal said VALID.sub.-- DATA signal indicating that data transfer can be initiated;
• else spatially steering an antenna array in a predetermined amount and proceeding to determination step c);
• else proceeding to processing step c).

A method of communicating data between a base station having an adaptive array antenna and a mobile unit comprising the steps of:

• a) the base station transmitting an identification signal to the mobile unit;
• b) the mobile unit transmitting an antenna training sequence to the base station;
• c) the base station steering its adaptive array antenna to achieve a predetermined BER and a predetermined RSSI, wherein the step of steering includes the steps of:
• i) determining a BER signal and an RSSI signal based on the antenna training sequence;
• ii) comparing the BER signal to the predetermined BER signal;
• iii) comparing the RSSI signal to the predetermined RSSI signal;
• and,
• iv) selectively controlling the adaptive array antenna based on whether the BER signal is in a first logical relationship with the predetermined BER signal and whether the RSSI signal is in a second logical relationship with the predetermined RSSI signal;
• d) transporting valid data between the base station and the mobile unit;
• e) determining whether the mobile unit is requesting communication;
• if yes, the mobile unit transmitting a training sequence to the base station and proceeding to processing step c);
• else proceeding at processing step e).

A method for communicating data between a first base station and a second base station, said first and second base station each employing an adaptive antenna array, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) a first base station transmitting an identification signal to a second base station;
• b) a second base station transmitting an antenna training sequence to the first base station;
• c) the first base station and the second base station each steering its adaptive array antenna to achieve a predetermined bit error rate (BER) and a predetermined RSSI, wherein the step of steering includes the steps of:
• i) determining a BER signal and an RSSI signal based on the antenna training sequence;
• ii) comparing the BER signal to the predetermined BER signal;
• iii) comparing the RSSI signal to the predetermined RSSI signal;
• and,
• iv) selectively controlling the adaptive array antenna based on whether the BER signal is in a first logical relationship with the predetermined BER signal and whether the RSSI signal is in a second logical relationship with the predetermined RSSI signal;
• d) transmitting valid data between the first base station and second data and second base station;
• e) the first base station determining if the second base station is requesting communication;
• if yes, the second base station transmitting the training sequence to the first base station,
• else, proceeding to processing step d).