METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM FORMING

Beamforming antennas are used in cellular network to improve performance by enhancing signal strength or reducing interference for given users. The beam forming patterns are cyclic in nature; for example, the beams used on Monday's between 8 and 9 am have similarities to the beams of the previous Monday in the same time period. At least one method of testing and identifying the most appropriate beam for a given antenna at a given time from a list of promising beam candidates is provided. While the cellular network is providing services to its users, the network is simultaneously testing each of the promising beam candidates and extracting data. The extracted data is used to determine the best beams out of the list of beam candidates selected for use during a particular time period.