An antenna diversity receiver comprises a zero-IF receiver connected to
two antennas (102a, 102b) via switches (532, 534). Simultaneous
measurement of signal qualities from both antennas is possible by routing
signals from the first antenna (102a) via a first mixer (106) and channel
filter (116) and routing signals from the second antenna (102b) via a
second mixer (108) and channel filter (118). A diversity controller (536)
compares the signal qualities received from the antennas (102a, 102b)
during a data preamble to select a preferred antenna, then adjusts the
switches (532, 534) to route the signals from the preferred antenna to
both input mixers (106, 108). The amplifier (104a, 104b) connected to the
deselected antenna may be switched off during data reception, thereby
minimizing extra power consumption.Such an antenna diversity receiver
enables effective antenna selection to be performed, even in systems such
as Bluetooth where only a very short preamble is provided for receiver
configuration.