An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.

An apparatus and method define a parametric model that may be utilized for determining a position of a mobile device relative to a beacon that includes at least first and second directive antennas and at least a non-directive antenna. The apparatus includes a communication interface configured to receive signals from at least the first and second directive antennas and at least the non-directive antenna at each of a plurality of angular positions throughout a range of angles. The apparatus further includes processing circuitry configured to normalize the signal strengths of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas. The processing circuitry is also configured to determine the parametric model representative of relationships based upon the normalized signal strengths of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas to the angle of the mobile device to the beacon.

A positioning system, method and computer program product determine a position of a mobile device, such as in instances in which the mobile device is indoors. In regards to a positioning system, the positioning system is caused to determine a signal strength of signals received from at least first and second directive antennas of a beacon and at least a non-directive antenna of the beacon. The positioning system is also caused to normalize the signal strength of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas based on the signal strength of the signals received from the non-directive antenna in order to determine normalized signal strengths of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas. The positioning system is further caused to determine an angle at which the signals from the beacon propagate based upon the normalized signals strengths.

An apparatus and method define a parametric model that may be utilized for determining a position of a mobile device relative to a beacon that includes at least first and second directive antennas and at least a non-directive antenna. The apparatus includes a communication interface configured to receive signals from at least the first and second directive antennas and at least the non-directive antenna at each of a plurality of angular positions throughout a range of angles. The apparatus further includes processing circuitry configured to normalize the signal strengths of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas. The processing circuitry is also configured to determine the parametric model representative of relationships based upon the normalized signal strengths of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas to the angle of the mobile device to the beacon.

A positioning system, method and computer program product determine a position of a mobile device, such as in instances in which the mobile device is indoors. In regards to a positioning system, the positioning system is caused to determine a signal strength of signals received from at least first and second directive antennas of a beacon and at least a non-directive antenna of the beacon. The positioning system is also caused to normalize the signal strength of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas based on the signal strength of the signals received from the non-directive antenna in order to determine normalized signal strengths of the signals received from the first and second directive antennas. The positioning system is further caused to determine an angle at which the signals from the beacon propagate based upon the normalized signals strengths.

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterize incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.