Importance

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Abstract

A multiple access communication system comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a plurality of sectors. A base station is located in each cell and has a plurality of antennas. Each antenna covers a sector of the cell and is associated with a polarization characteristic. In one embodiment, each cell has two sectors, and each sector facing a first direction has an antenna with a first polarization characteristic, while each sector facing a second, opposite direction has an antenna with a second polarization characteristic. In another embodiment, each cell is divided into four sectors generally arranged as quadrants. Two adjacent sectors have antennas with a first polarization characteristic, while the other two adjacent sectors have antennas with a second polarization characteristic. In a preferred embodiment, the first polarization characteristic is left hand circular polarization, and the second polarization characteristic is right hand circular polarization. Alternatively, vertically polarized antennas and horizontally polarized antennas may be used instead of circularly polarized antennas. Frequencies may be assigned to the cells in a three-frequency reuse pattern or a seven-frequency reuse pattern, or in any other suitable arrangement.

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First Claim