5G Base Station Emission Control for Radio Alimeter Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

The coexistence of 5G cellular networks with aeronautical radio altimeters is hindered by interference due to 5G base stations' in-band and out-of-band emissions, which can cause receiver desensitization and overload in radio altimeters operating in the 4.2-4.4 GHz frequency band, posing a risk to aircraft safety during landing procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that form a cluster of network nodes to detect and measure radio altimeter signals, determine the nodes causing interference, and temporarily reduce their emissions to prevent interference, using a network manager to calculate and command the necessary emission reductions based on interference thresholds and protection levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If 5G base stations operate at higher power to improve network coverage and capacity, then cellular network performance is improved, but interference to radio altimeters increases causing receiver desensitization and overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve5G base station transmission powerVSAvoidinterference to radio altimeter

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of radio altimeter signals by network nodes before interference occurs. When a radio altimeter signal is detected, the network manager proactively commands affected base stations to reduce their emissions in advance, preventing receiver desensitization and overload before they happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network manager acts as an intermediary between base stations and radio altimeters. It receives measurement reports from base stations, determines which nodes are causing interference to radio altimeters, and commands appropriate emission reductions. This intermediary coordinates the interaction between cellular networks and aeronautical systems to resolve the interference contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If 5G base stations reduce emissions to protect radio altimeters, then interference to aeronautical systems is reduced, but cellular network performance is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference to radio altimeterVSAvoidcellular network performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies emission reduction locally and selectively rather than globally. Only specific network nodes that are determined to be causing interference to radio altimeters are commanded to reduce their emissions, while other base stations continue normal operation. This localized approach minimizes the impact on overall cellular network performance while still protecting radio altimeters from harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial emission reduction rather than complete shutdown. The network manager commands base stations to reduce emissions to appropriate levels that protect radio altimeters while maintaining adequate cellular service. This partial action ensures safety for aeronautical systems without completely sacrificing cellular network productivity in the affected areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If all network nodes reduce emissions continuously to ensure radio altimeter safety, then protection level is maintained, but network coverage and capacity are significantly degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio altimeter protectionVSAvoidnetwork coverage and capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic detection and conditional emission reduction rather than continuous reduction. Network nodes periodically measure radio altimeter signals and report to the network manager. Emission reduction is activated only when radio altimeter signals are detected and deactivated when they are not present. This periodic approach ensures radio altimeter protection when needed while maintaining full network performance when aeronautical systems are not in the vicinity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11558091B2Coexistence of cellular networks with aeronautical radio altimeters

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for coexisting cellular networks with aeronautical radio altimeters. The method may include receiving a first command from a network manager to reduce emissions. The method may also include reducing the emissions based on the received first command In certain example embodiments, the first command may be for one or more network nodes in a cluster including the network node.