Antenna system

Abstract

An antenna system including at least one antenna element, and having a plurality of connection points for signals for multiple operator users, and further comprising: respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements connected to each of the connection points, and a junction element connected to each of the respective amplitude control circuitry elements and connected to said antenna element, such that the antenna system beam pattern can be controlled independently for the multiple operator users.

1 . An antenna system, comprising at least one antenna element, and having a plurality of connection points for signals for multiple operator users, and further comprising:
 respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements connected to each of said connection points; and   a junction element connected to each of said respective amplitude control circuitry elements and connected to said antenna element,   such that the antenna system beam pattern can be controlled independently for said multiple operator users.   
     
     
         2 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements in a transmit path for transmit signals from said connection points to said antenna element. 
     
     
         3 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements in a receive path for receive signals from said antenna element to said connection points. 
     
     
         4 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of antenna elements, and a plurality of respective junction elements, and comprising:
 first respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements connected between each of said connection points and a first junction element connected to a first antenna element, and   second respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements connected between each of said connection points and a second junction element connected to a second antenna element.   
     
     
         5 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements in transmit paths for transmit signals from said connection points to said antenna elements. 
     
     
         6 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements in receive paths for receive signals from said antenna elements to said connection points. 
     
     
         7 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising:
 a frequency selective element connected to the or each antenna element, such that signals in a first frequency band are passed along first transmit and receive paths and such that signals in a second frequency band are passed along second transmit and receive paths; and   respective separately controllable amplitude control circuitry elements in the first transmit and receive paths and in the second transmit and receive paths.   
     
     
         8 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the signals in the first frequency band are GSM signals, and the signals in the second frequency band are UMTS signals. 
     
     
         9 . An antenna system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element has a respective preferential direction of transmission and reception, such that the antenna system is able to transmit and receive in all directions.