Importance

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Abstract

An improved microcell system for cellular telephone systems has a plurality of contiguous cells wherein the cells are configured in a plurality of clusters with each cell in a cluster having a different assigned set of transmission frequencies. Each of the frequencies in an assigned set for a given cell is assignable to a given mobile telephone within the cell for all locations of the mobile telephone within the cell. Frequency handoff circuitry is provided for maintaining continuous communication with mobile telephones moving from cell to cell. Each of the cells is provided with a plurality of antennas each of which is arranged and configured to limit propagation of signals substantially to one of a plurality of regions within the boundaries of the cell, which regions are substantially less in area than the area of the cell. Transmission at any one frequency of the set of transmission frequencies assigned to a cell is confined to the zone wherein the strongest signal is received from the mobile telephone to which such one frequency has been assigned. Accordingly, the clusters of cells may be arranged with a frequency reuse pattern of three and a ratio of co-channel separation to cell radius of less than four.

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First Claim