Space-time block coding for switched beam systems

A scheme for selecting two beams in a switched beam antenna system for providing downlink transmit diversity based on space-time block coding (STBC) technique is proposed. The scheme involves selecting a pair of beams based on the uplink reception of the switched beam antenna system, and determining from the pair of beams a corresponding pair of orthogonal beams. The scheme also involves providing the pair of orthogonal beams as pair of transmit beams, the switched beam antenna system achieves nearly the same system performance, in terms of bit error rate (BER), as much complex adaptive antenna system with STBC. Simulation results demonstrate the promising scheme.