Adjustable Antenna Pattern for Mobile Radio Interference Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile radio communications, reducing frequency re-use distance while minimizing interference between cells is challenging, especially for common channels that need to be detectable by all user equipment without knowing their location.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use direction-of-propagation information from user equipment transmission samples to select active directions for common channel communication, adjusting the antenna pattern to prioritize these directions and reduce gain in non-active directions, allowing beam-formed antenna patterns for common channels while maintaining coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If beam-forming antennas are used for common channels to reduce interference, then interference between cells is reduced, but coverage area is reduced because the antenna pattern cannot cover all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna pattern adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The base station dynamically adjusts the antenna pattern based on received direction-of-propagation information from user equipment, allowing the system to optimize between interference reduction and coverage area based on actual network conditions and user distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the antenna system by adjusting the antenna pattern characteristics (directionality, gain, beamwidth) based on direction-of-propagation information. This allows the system to modify the radiation pattern parameters to achieve optimal performance for different operational scenarios.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If beam-forming antennas are used for common channels, then energy consumption is reduced, but coverage area is reduced due to directional transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the antenna pattern based on actual user equipment locations and direction-of-propagation information, allowing energy to be focused only where needed rather than transmitted uniformly in all directions. This dynamic adaptation reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating transmission energy in specific directions where user equipment is located, rather than providing uniform coverage in all directions. The antenna pattern is optimized to provide higher gain in directions with active user equipment while reducing or eliminating transmission in directions without users.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If frequency re-use distance is increased to reduce interference, then interference between cells is minimized, but system capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a form of spatial filtering by using directional antenna patterns that allow signal transmission in specific directions while blocking or reducing transmission in other directions. This selective transmission enables closer frequency re-use by containing signals spatially, similar to how porous materials selectively allow passage of certain substances.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces interference and improves the relationship between radio coverage and power consumption in mobile radio communications systems by focusing energy on active directions for common channels.
Implementation Method 1
beam-forming antennas may be used for the dedicated channels, so that a signal carrying a dedicated channel, intended for a particular user equipment, is transmitted by a beam-forming antenna transmitting a beam in the direction in which the user equipment is located
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of improving the performance of a mobile radio communications system comprising at least one stationary radio transmitter for communicating with user equipments in the communications system, wherein the radio transmitter is connected to an antenna system for which the antenna pattern can be varied, the method comprising: receiving direction-of-propagation information relating to a plurality of user equipment transmission samples; selecting, based on the direction-of-propagation information, active directions for the communication of common channels from the radio transceiver; and adjusting the antenna pattern used for communication of common channels in accordance with the selected active directions in a manner so that the gain of at least one direction which has not been selected as active is lower than the gain of the selected active directions.