Directional diversity receive system

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a directional diversity receive system. The system may comprise a plurality of antennas attached to and fixed with respect to a frame. The system may further comprise a steerable antenna attached to and moveable with respect to the frame. The system may be encapsulated by a cover and may be configured for relocation as an integrated module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for receiving wireless signals, comprising:
 a plurality of fixed antennas configured to provide spatial diversity when receiving a wireless signal;   a steerable antenna configured to receive the wireless signal; and   a controller in data communication with the plurality of fixed antennas and the steerable antenna, wherein the controller is configured to determine the robustness of the received wireless signal at one or more of the plurality of fixed antennas, and further configured to determine a fixed antenna among the plurality of fixed antennas receiving the wireless signal with the most robustness,   wherein the steerable antenna is configured to be steered in a direction approximately aligned with a receiving direction of the fixed antenna receiving the wireless signal with the most robustness.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the steerable antenna comprises a directional high gain antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the steerable antenna comprises a parabolic antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the steerable antenna comprises a yagi antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fixed antennas are configured to receive the wireless signal from any direction within a 360 degree azimuth. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of fixed antennas are arranged to define a circumference, and are configured to receive signals at least from a direction opposite that of an area within the circumference. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of fixed antennas are approximately uniformly spaced about the circumference. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the steerable antenna is located in an area within the circumference. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of fixed antennas comprises one of a panel antenna, a slot antenna, or a sector antenna. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of demodulators, each demodulator being connected to a respective one of the plurality of fixed antennas and the steerable antenna. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to wirelessly receive digital video data. 
     
     
         12 . A method of receiving wireless signals with an antenna system, comprising:
 receiving a wireless signal at a plurality of fixed antennas configured to provide spatial diversity when receiving the wireless signal;   determining the robustness of the received wireless signal at one or more of the plurality of fixed antennas;   determining a fixed antenna among the plurality of fixed antennas receiving the wireless signal with the most robustness; and   steering a steerable antenna in a direction approximately aligned with a receiving direction of the fixed antenna receiving the wireless signal with the most robustness.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the steerable antenna comprises a directional high gain antenna. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the steerable antenna comprises a parabolic antenna. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the steerable antenna comprises a yagi antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of fixed antennas are configured to receive the wireless signal from any direction within a 360 degree azimuth. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fixed antennas are arranged to define a circumference, and are configured to receive signals at least from a direction opposite that of an area within the circumference. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of fixed antennas are approximately uniformly spaced about the circumference. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the steerable antenna is located in an area within the circumference. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless signal comprises digital video data.