InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[Gamco]

United States Patent 7,587,173
Hoffmann , et al. September 8, 2009

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Antenna steering for an access point based upon spatial diversity


Abstract
A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network is provided, wherein the access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with at least one remote station. The method includes communicating with a selected remote station using a current angle of the directional antenna, and scanning an alternate angle from a plurality of alternate angles of the directional antenna for communicating with the selected remote station. Respective signals received via the current angle and the alternate angle from the selected remote station are measured. The current angle or the alternate angle is selected as a preferred angle based upon the measured signals for continuing communications with the selected remote station.


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Inventors: Hoffmann; John E. (Indialantic, FL), Johnson; Kevin P. (Palm Bay, FL), Nelson, Jr.; George Rodney (Merritt Island, FL), Regnier; John A. (Palm Bay, FL)
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation (Wilmington, DE)

Appl. No.: 10/870,719
Filed: June 17, 2004

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
60479701 Jun., 2003


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Current U.S. Class: 455/63.4 ; 370/338; 455/193.1
Current International Class: H04W 4/00 (20090101); H04B 1/18 (20060101)