Configurable antenna for a wireless access point
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsDavid M. Theobold, Michael E. Lewis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The difficulties and drawbacks of the previous-type systems are overcome by the present antenna system, alone and in combination with a wireless access point. The present antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel. An isolating structure is provided, selectively positioned with respect to the antenna elements, for selective varying signal isolation between the respective antenna elements. In this way, the present system is selectable between a high-throughput/short-range configuration and a low-throughput/long-range configuration.
Claims26
An antenna system, comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel;
- and
- an isolating structure, selectively positioned with respect to the antenna elements, for selective varying signal isolation between the respective antenna elements;
- wherein the isolating structure is adapted to selectively vary signal isolation so as to switch between a sectorized antenna configuration and an antenna array configuration;
- and
- wherein the isolating structure is a removable structure, selectively received in a socket co-located with respect to the antenna elements.
An antenna system, comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel;
- and
- an isolating structure, selectively positioned with respect to the antenna elements, for selective varying signal isolation between the respective antenna elements;
- wherein the isolating structure is adapted to selectively vary signal isolation so as to switch between a sectorized antenna configuration and an antenna array configuration;
- and
- wherein the isolating structure is a displaceable structure, for selective displacement between an isolating position and a non-isolating position.
A wireless access point, comprising:
- radio circuitry for exchanging an electronic network signal with a wireless signal;
- an antenna system for sending and receiving wireless signals with a mobile client coupled to the radio circuitry, the antenna system further comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel;
- and
- an isolating structure, selectively positioned with respect to the antenna elements, for selective varying signal isolation between the respective antenna elements;
- wherein the isolating structure is adapted to selectively vary signal isolation so as to switch between a sectorized antenna configuration and an antenna array configuration;
- and
- wherein the isolating structure is a removable structure, selectively received in a socket co-located with respect to the antenna elements.
A wireless access point, comprising:
- radio circuitry for exchanging an electronic network signal with a wireless signal;
- an antenna system for sending and receiving wireless signals with a mobile client coupled to the radio circuitry, the antenna system further comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel;
- and
- an isolating structure, selectively positioned with respect to the antenna elements, for selective varying signal isolation between the respective antenna elements;
- wherein the isolating structure is adapted to selectively vary signal isolation so as to switch between a sectorized antenna configuration and an antenna array configuration;
- and
- wherein the isolating structure is a displaceable structure, for selective displacement between an isolating position and a non-isolating position.
An antenna system, comprising:
- a mean for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel;
- a means for selective varying signal isolation selectively positioned with respect to the means for providing a respective plurality of communications signals over a wireless channel;
- wherein the means for selective varying signal isolation is adapted to selectively vary signal isolation so as to switch between a sectorized antenna configuration and an antenna array configuration;
- and
- wherein the means for selective varying signal isolation is displaceable for selective displacement between an isolating position and a non-isolating position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.