A low-power wireless mobile communications system

The paper describes a wireless mobile communication system which employs a high gain electronically steered array antenna connected to a radio receiver at a base station. By using a steerable, narrow beamwidth, high gain antenna pattern, the receiver can detect much weaker signals than receivers connected to conventional fixed pattern antennas. Since this system can detect weaker signals, either the coverage range of a mobile communications system can be extended or the transmission power of the mobile stations can be reduced. Most wireless mobile communication systems offer some form of portable communication device powered by internal batteries. The principal drain on the battery occurs normally when the device is transmitting a signal. Reducing the signal strength required to communicate back to the base station can either extend the battery life of the portable terminal or reduce the battery weight and size requirements