Air-to-Ground Wireless Deconfliction via Dynamic Frequency Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airborne users experience connectivity issues and interference with ground-based wireless networks due to limited antenna beam control and interference from multiple towers, leading to disrupted connectivity and reduced network capacity.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic allocation of time/frequency segments in ground-based cellular networks, using a frequency barrier to separate airborne and ground uplinks, and implementing a second frequency band for airborne radios to minimize interference and ensure connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If airborne users share the same RF frequency band and towers with ground users, then network resource utilization is improved, but interference between airborne and ground users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is segmented into a first frequency for ground user uplinks and a second frequency for airborne user uplinks. This segmentation allows both ground and airborne users to share the same cellular network infrastructure while operating on separate frequencies, thereby improving network resource utilization while preventing interference between the two user groups.
2Area of stationary object
If airborne antenna beam width is increased to cover larger geographical area, then coverage area is improved, but interference with multiple towers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different frequency resources to airborne users based on their specific geographic location and serving tower. By configuring airborne users to use the second frequency band when connected to specific towers, the solution allows airborne antennas to maintain wide beam widths for broad coverage while preventing interference with other towers through frequency separation and selective resource allocation.
3Reliability
If airborne users connect to multiple towers simultaneously, then connectivity reliability is improved, but interference and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically allocates frequency resources to airborne users based on their current connection state and serving tower. When an airborne user connects to multiple towers, the system can dynamically assign the second frequency band to specific uplink connections, enabling reliable multi-tower connectivity while managing network complexity through adaptive resource configuration and interference coordination.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system is disclosed enabling deconfliction between a ground-based radio and an airborne radio while both radios are in wireless data communication with a ground-based cellular network via the same ground-based connection node or tower. An orthogonal plurality of time/frequency segments is divided into a ground group of segments and an air group of segments by dynamically placing a frequency barrier between the two groups. Through dynamic allocation between groups and between the plurality of time/frequency segments within each group, interference free communication may coexist while both radios are wirelessly connected to the same tower. Additionally, an uplink (from airborne radio to tower) frequency may be moved to a second, distant frequency band to deconflict with the uplink and downlink first frequency band allotted to the ground- based radio while the downlink from tower to airborne radio remains within the first frequency band.