Antenna feeders for cellular networks: Algorithms and RF instances

We propose a partially adaptive beamformer setup where a reduced number of transceivers with digital beamformers (DBF) are connected to an increased number of antennas through a RF antenna feeder network (AFN). Given this architecture, we specify bounds on the minimum number of transceivers required for emph{macro cell} and emph{small cell} base stations and propose algorithms to jointly design the DBF and AFN to achieve the optimal beam pattern performance, while satisfying a host of performance and operational constraints. Subsequently, we propose microwave network instantiations and implementation details based on algorithms to achieve optimal beam performance while considering the practical AFN limitations such as sectorization, insertion loss and microwave component limitations.