Air-To-Ground Beamforming With Separate Control And Traffic Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts face challenges in maintaining continuous and cost-effective wireless connectivity due to the limitations of conventional ground-based wireless communication systems, which struggle to provide three-dimensional coverage up to cruising altitudes, and existing beamforming techniques are inadequate for air-to-ground communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network of base stations with separate RF chains for control and traffic beams, using beamforming control modules to steer directional beams in azimuth and elevation, and employing separate control and traffic channels to provide focused communication links with aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional ground-based wireless communication systems use vertical antennas for coverage, then ground connectivity is provided, but three-dimensional coverage for aircraft at high altitudes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional ground-based coverage to three-dimensional air-to-ground coverage by deploying antenna arrays at elevated locations and using beamforming techniques to direct signals vertically toward aircraft at various altitudes, thereby adding the vertical dimension to the coverage geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the coverage space into multiple three-dimensional cells, each served by a dedicated antenna array at a specific location, allowing independent optimization of beamforming parameters for each cell and altitude range
2Device complexity
If a single RF chain is used for both control and traffic channels in beamforming, then device complexity is reduced, but communication performance and reliability deteriorate due to inability to provide focused beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RF chain into separate dedicated chains for control channels and traffic channels, allowing independent optimization of beamforming parameters for each channel type and improving overall communication reliability through specialized handling of control signaling versus data transmission
3Device complexity
If equally wide beams are used for both control and traffic channels, then beamforming implementation is simplified, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to inability to provide focused directional links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different beamwidth characteristics to different channel types: narrower beams for traffic channels to maximize directional gain and communication efficiency, and wider beams for control channels to ensure robust coverage and signaling reliability, thereby optimizing performance for each specific communication function
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional beamforming techniques are used for air-to-ground communication, then implementation is straightforward, but communication performance at high altitudes deteriorates due to inadequate three-dimensional beam steering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends conventional two-dimensional beamforming to three-dimensional beamforming by incorporating elevation angle control in addition to azimuth steering, enabling accurate directional targeting of aircraft at various altitudes and improving communication reliability through precise beam alignment
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
Enhances air-to-ground wireless communication performance by ensuring continuous connectivity and reducing interference, allowing for efficient communication with aircraft at high altitudes using distinct control and traffic beams.
Implementation Method 1
a beamforming control module configured to communicate with the antenna array via a first RF chain to perform beamforming defining traffic channel beams having a first width, and a second RF chain to perform beamforming defining control channel beams having a second width
Data Source
AI summary
A base station within a network for providing ATG wireless communication in various cells may include an antenna array defining a plurality of wedge shaped sectors having respective widths defined in azimuth, and a beamforming control module. The beamforming control module may be configured to communicate with the antenna array via a first RF chain to perform beamforming defining traffic channel beams having a first width, and a second RF chain to perform beamforming defining control channel beams having a second width. The second width may be greater than the first width.