A wireless communication system and method includes antenna arrays at both the
transmitter and receiver having a plurality of elements for very high data rate
communication. Phased array antennas or directive fixed beam antennas are used
with a beamwidth in azimuth and elevation less than 30 to increase the power
margin and to decrease the delay spread of signals at the receiver to permit wireless
data communications at high data rates in closed environments, for example, bursty
transmissions and isochronous communications. The wireless communication system
is capable of data transmission rates which exceed 1 Gbps with propagation losses
of up to at least 60 dB relative to one meter.