3D Antenna Gain Mapping for External Interference Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently locating and resolving external interference sources due to limitations in existing geo-location techniques, which are often inaccurate and require precise timing or frequency references, and are affected by fading and shadowing in the radio environment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize vertical characteristics and three-dimensional antenna gain to determine the location of external interference sources by assigning elevation values to pixels in a grid, calculating probability values based on signal strength measurements, and accounting for line of sight and environmental factors, allowing for accurate identification and resolution of interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measured power-based techniques (POA/PDOA) are used to locate external interference sources, then location detection is possible, but accuracy is highly limited by fading and shadowing in the radio environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal location techniques to three-dimensional location by incorporating elevation angles and vertical antenna elements. This dimensional expansion allows the system to resolve interference sources more accurately by adding the vertical dimension to the location calculation, thereby overcoming the limitations of fading and shadowing that affect traditional 2D techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from simple power measurements to include angle of arrival (AoA) and elevation angle measurements. By using multiple parameters (power, azimuth angle, elevation angle) instead of just power, the system can more accurately locate interference sources and distinguish between multiple sources, improving both accuracy and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If time-based techniques (TOA/TDOA) or frequency-based techniques (FDOA) are used, then location detection is possible, but precise timing sources such as common clocks or frequency references are required which are not typically present for external interference sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing reference requirement from the location determination process by using angle-based methods instead of time-based methods. By removing the dependency on precise timing sources, the system can locate external interference sources without requiring common clocks or frequency references, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining location detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes time-based measurement mechanisms with geometry-based angle measurement mechanisms. Instead of using time-of-arrival or frequency-difference methods that require precise timing, the system uses angle-of-arrival measurements from multiple antennas to geometrically determine the location of interference sources.
3Measurement precision
If additional measurement systems are deployed to collect power data for accurate location determination, then location accuracy may be improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cellular network's existing antennas and signal processing capabilities serve multiple functions: both providing cellular service and performing interference source location. By using the same infrastructure for dual purposes, the system achieves accurate location determination without deploying separate dedicated measurement systems, thereby avoiding increased complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating a source of interference external to a wireless telecommunications network includes assigning first and second elevation values to each pixel in a grid of pixels that represents an area associated with a plurality of cellular antennas, and calculating at least one probability value that the source of interference external to the wireless telecommunications network is located at an associated pixel by calculating respective probability values for pixels in the grid using the first elevation value and the second elevation value of the associated pixel and vertical gain values for each of the plurality of cellular antennas.