Diversity antenna system with de-correlation apparatus and method

A radio communication apparatus, or method, comprises: a plurality of antenna elements, where the signal of an antenna element does not readily correlate with that of another antenna element. A phase shift between antenna radiation phase patterns may be provided. The said patterns may be associated with antenna elements which are simultaneously receiving and/or transmitting radio frequency signals via an air interface. The phase shift may be introduced in order to obtain orthogonality between the associate radio frequency signals. The phase shift may be provided by: the design of the antenna elements, electrical tuning of the antenna elements or by changing galvanic characteristics, possibly using switches, of one or more of the antenna elements. Signal feedback may be used in controlling the phase shift adjustments. The phase shift may be substantially 180 degrees. An antenna element may be replaced by another element based on various operational characteristics. A memory storing antenna configurations and tuning data may be used in obtaining a phase shift. A computer program product may be provided to execute the above radio communication method.