Air-to-Ground Wireless Network Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in providing reliable and cost-effective connectivity for aircraft, particularly due to interference from ground-based WiFi transmitters in metropolitan areas, which limits bandwidth and increases latency, restricting communication options for passengers.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wireless air-to-ground network with base stations arranged to provide overlapping wedge-shaped cell coverage areas and vertically oriented 'sky cells' that adjust frequencies based on aircraft altitude, using beamforming techniques to mitigate interference and ensure continuous connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If unlicensed band communication is used in metropolitan areas, then connectivity is provided, but interference from WiFi transmitters increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The service area is divided into multiple cells, each served by a base station. This segmentation allows frequency reuse across different cells while managing interference locally within each cell, resolving the contradiction between providing widespread connectivity and managing interference from ground transmitters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different frequency assignments are applied to different cells based on their specific interference environments. The system optimizes frequency allocation locally for each cell rather than using a uniform approach, allowing connectivity to be maintained while adapting to local interference conditions from WiFi transmitters and other ground-based sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If base stations are spaced apart to provide coverage, then coverage area increases, but interference mitigation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple base stations are coordinated to work together as a unified network system. The system combines the capabilities of distributed base stations to provide wide coverage while implementing centralized frequency management and interference coordination, thus achieving both large coverage area and effective interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements interference measurement and feedback mechanisms where base stations monitor interference levels and adjust frequency assignments dynamically. This feedback loop allows the network to maintain wide coverage while actively managing interference from ground transmitters by reallocating frequencies based on measured conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If frequency reuse is implemented across cells, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but interference between cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each cell is assigned specific frequency combinations based on its local interference environment and traffic demands. This localized frequency optimization allows frequency reuse across the network while minimizing co-channel interference between adjacent cells, achieving both bandwidth efficiency and interference management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts frequency allocation parameters for different cells and time periods. By changing frequency assignments based on traffic patterns and interference conditions, the system maximizes bandwidth utilization while maintaining acceptable interference levels through adaptive resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances wireless communication coverage for aircraft by reducing interference, increasing bandwidth, and enabling cost-effective, high-speed data transmission even in densely populated areas, allowing for robust and efficient communication services.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of base stations, each base station defining a corresponding radiation pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The sky cell comprises a circularly polarized antenna array defining a substantially vertically extending radiation pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCircular polarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

using beamforming techniques to mitigate interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming: Focusing

Data Source

PatentUS11743795B2Interference mitigation in an air-to-ground wireless communication network

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

A network for providing air-to-ground (ATG) wireless communication in various cells may include a receiver station disposed on an aircraft in flight, a plurality of base stations, each base station defining a corresponding radiation pattern such that the base stations are spaced apart from each other to define at least partially overlapping coverage areas, and a control module in communication with at least one of the base stations. The control module may be configured to receive information indicative of an altitude of the aircraft and select a frequency for communication between the at least one of the base stations and the receiver station based on the altitude.