Antenna Array Nulling for 5G-Satellite Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Future wireless communications systems, particularly the 5G standard operating at 28 GHz, face interference issues with satellite systems using overlapping frequency spectrum, leading to signal-to-noise ratio degradation and performance issues in both uplink and downlink communications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing electronically controlled antenna arrays in mobile devices and base stations to form nulls in receive and transmit antenna patterns, adjusting geometric parameters such as location, height, and antenna orientation to mitigate interference, and using high loss materials like infrared reflective glass for shielding, while also coordinating among base stations to avoid alignments that cause interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 5G mobile wireless systems operate at 28 GHz, then mobile communication performance is improved, but interference with satellite systems using the same frequency range occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating directional nulls in the antenna radiation pattern specifically toward satellite locations. Instead of uniformly reducing transmission in all directions, the system selectively creates interference-free zones only in the directions where satellites are located, while maintaining full transmission capability in other directions. This allows 5G mobile communications to operate at 28 GHz with preserved performance while locally mitigating interference in satellite-affected directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by continuously adjusting the antenna beamforming parameters based on real-time satellite positions and mobile device locations. The nulling directions are dynamically updated as satellites move across the sky and as mobile devices change position, ensuring that interference mitigation remains effective throughout the operation of both satellite and 5G systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If satellite systems use 28 GHz frequency range, then satellite communication capability is enhanced, but signal-to-noise ratio degradation occurs due to mobile device interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively creating nulls in the mobile device antenna patterns toward satellite uplink directions before interference can significantly degrade the satellite signal. The system identifies potential interference paths in advance and pre-configures the beamforming weights to establish protective nulls, preventing SNR degradation rather than attempting to correct it after the fact.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antenna arrays are used for interference mitigation, then interference reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the antenna array into multiple independently controllable elements that can be individually weighted and phased. This allows the system to create complex radiation patterns with multiple nulls pointing in different directions toward various satellites. Each antenna element can be independently adjusted, enabling flexible interference mitigation without requiring a monolithic complex antenna structure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If base stations coordinate to avoid interference alignments, then satellite interference is reduced, but network coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing communication between base stations to share information about satellite locations, mobile device positions, and interference conditions. Each base station receives feedback from others about their beamforming configurations and adjusts its own nulling directions accordingly. This coordinated feedback mechanism allows multiple base stations to work together to minimize overall satellite interference while avoiding conflicting beamforming patterns.
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
Significantly reduces interference between mobile wireless systems and satellite systems, improving signal quality and reducing interference-related degradation in both mobile and satellite communication links.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the antenna array to form nulls in receive and transmit antenna patterns associated with the mobile device and/or the base station
Implementation Method 2
using high loss materials like infrared reflective glass for shielding
Data Source
AI summary
Mitigating interference between transmitters and receivers associated with satellite systems and mobile wireless systems may include receiving information associated with the transmitter, determining a distance between the transmitter and the receiver based on the received information, determining if the distance is less than a distance threshold, estimating an interference level based on determining that the distance is less than the distance threshold, determining if the estimated interference level exceeds an interference threshold, computing an angle between an antenna of the transmitter and the receiver based upon determining that the estimated interference exceeds the interference threshold, and directing, when receiving a signal, a main lobe of a receive antenna pattern of the receiver towards the signal, and forming nulls in the receive antenna pattern in a direction of at least one side lobe of a transmit pattern of the transmitter.