5G Base Station Antenna Beamforming for Satellite Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G new radio (NR) wireless communications systems experience undesirable frequency interference with satellite systems operating in overlapping frequency spectrum, leading to performance degradation in satellite downlink communications due to out-of-band transmissions from mobile devices and base stations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing interference mitigation techniques such as beam omission, zero forcing, mobile device power control, and path loss-based load balancing to reduce interference between satellite earth stations and mobile wireless systems by adjusting antenna patterns, transmit power, and frequency operations based on calculated path loss values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 5G systems operate in C-band frequencies overlapping with satellite spectrum, then wireless communication capacity is improved, but satellite downlink reception performance deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The base station divides the antenna array into multiple antenna groups, each capable of forming independent beams. This segmentation allows selective beam formation toward mobile devices while creating nulls in directions of satellite earth stations, thereby enabling simultaneous 5G communication and satellite interference protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different beamforming characteristics to different spatial regions. High-gain beams are directed toward mobile devices for effective communication, while nulls are formed in specific directions toward satellite earth stations to minimize interference. This local differentiation of signal quality in space resolves the contradiction between communication capacity and satellite reception protection
2Reliability
If base station transmit power is increased to improve 5G signal coverage, then communication reliability is improved, but interference to satellite earth stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station applies spatially selective transmit power through beamforming. High power is concentrated in directions of mobile devices for reliable communication, while zero-power nulls are formed in directions of satellite earth stations. This local differentiation maintains communication reliability without increasing overall interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful omnidirectional interference into beneficial directional communication. By using beamforming, the base station transforms what would be harmful radiation in all directions into focused communication beams toward mobile devices, with the byproduct of creating nulls that protect satellite reception
3Productivity
If beamforming is used to direct signals toward mobile devices, then spectral efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to antenna group management
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple antenna groups, each independently capable of beamforming. This segmentation simplifies the control architecture by allowing each group to be managed separately, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining the spectral efficiency benefits of directional beamforming
Data Source
AI summary
Mitigating interference in 5G new radio systems may include establishing a path loss range associated with a satellite earth station, and receiving a path loss value associated with a mobile device. The method further includes determining whether the path loss value is within the path loss range, and sending a message to the mobile device to change an operation of the mobile device in response to determining that the path loss value is within the path loss range.