Method for maximal ratio combining of spatially filtered signals and apparatus therefor

A method for combining received signals transmitted from a mobile station to a base station through a linear array antenna by using maximum ratio combining, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving signals, each having a different angle of arrival (AOA) by using a plurality of antennas forming the linear array antenna;
• (b) multiplying a plurality of predetermined weight vectors by the received signals according to an AOA;
• (c) summing results of the multiplication of the weight vectors and received signals for each weight vector;
• and
• (d) combining results of the sums.

A combining apparatus for combining received signals transmitted from a mobile station to a base station by using maximum ratio combining, the combining apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of antennas for respectively receiving signals transmitted from the mobile station;
• a plurality of weight vector processors for storing predetermined weight vectors for multiplication with the signals received through the antennas;
• a plurality of summing units for receiving results of the multiplication of the weight vectors and the received signals from the respective weight vector processors and summing the results;
• and
• a combiner for receiving results of the sum from the plurality of summing units and combining the results.