Mobile communications using base station controlled optimization of adaptive antenna selection parameters, terminals with adaptive antenna system, and method

A method of selecting respective antennas in a mobile communications terminal that has a plurality of antennas to transmit signals, a processor, and a transmitter for providing signals for transmitting via respective antennas, comprising

• receiving from a remote source in a network signals representing one or more parameters and/or settings for use in determining respective antennas to transmit signals wherein the parameters and/or settings include a maximum swapping rate for antennas,
• monitoring operative characteristics of the terminal, wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring operative characteristics of signals in uplink communications in the network, operation of the terminal, and/or network conditions,
• compare the monitored operative characteristics to a given condition,
• when the monitored operative characteristics satisfy the given condition, determining whether a minimum time corresponding to the max swapping rate has passed since a previous antenna swap,
• when the minimum time has passed, processing with the processor antenna selection instructions including an adaptive antenna selection algorithm to determine respective antennas to transmit signals based on the monitored operative characteristics and one or more of the parameters and/or settings,
• using the results of the processing, selecting a respective antenna, and
• controlling the transmitter as to provide signals compatible with the currently selected antenna.

A communications method, comprising

• sending from a base station one or more parameters and/or settings for use by a terminal in a process to select which of a plurality of antennas in the terminal to use in transmitting signals from the terminal, wherein:
• said sending comprises sending one or more parameters and/or settings for use in an adaptive antenna selection algorithm in a terminal to use in transmitting signals from the terminal to the base station,
• the parameters and/or settings include a maximum swapping rate for antennas,
• the parameters and/or settings are representative of operative characteristics of signals in uplink communications in the network, operation of the terminal, and/or network conditions, and
• the operative characteristics, operation of the terminal, and/or network conditions comprise at least one of:
• (i) Antenna tuning states for main and diversity antenna(s);
• (ii) Bands where the antenna selection algorithm should or should not be active;
• (iii) Threshold level for when the antenna selection algorithm should be active;
• (iv) Hysteresis for antenna selection;
• (v) Filtering of RSSI;
• (vi) Proximity sensor induced power drop;
• (vii) Diversity antenna power reduction (static);
• and/or
• (viii) Force swapping delay time.