Mobile Phased Array Antenna Handover Selection in Air-to-Ground Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Direct Air to Ground communications, airborne user equipment (UE) faces challenges in establishing a stable communication connection due to significant interference from other base stations, making it difficult to select a suitable base station for handover.

Innovation Solution

A method using a mobile phased array antenna (PAA) to obtain measurement information on received power from multiple base stations, determining a quality measure indicative of signal interference, and transmitting this information to a network node to select an optimal target base station for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional handover selection based on average receive power is used, then the procedure is simple, but the signal quality deteriorates due to strong interferences in DATG environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover selection procedureVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for handover selection from average receive power to signal-to-interference ratio (SINR). The UE calculates SINR by dividing the received power of a base station signal by the total interference power from other base stations, providing a more accurate measure of signal quality in interference-limited DATG environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical measurement approach (direct power measurement) with a computational approach (SINR calculation based on received power and interference power measurements). This substitution enables more accurate signal quality assessment in the presence of strong interferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If airborne UE uses conventional receive power measurement, then the measurement process is straightforward, but the interference from non-serving BSs cannot be adequately accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement processVSAvoidinterference from non-serving BSs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE continuously measures both the desired signal power and the interference power from non-serving base stations, calculates the SINR, and uses this information for handover decisions. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing interference conditions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful interference power into a useful measurement parameter. By measuring the interference power from non-serving base stations and using it to calculate SINR, the system transforms the previously detrimental interference into a key factor for making accurate handover decisions and selecting optimal target base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250106754A1Technique for communication connection establishment by a mobile UE using a phased array antenna

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

A method performed by a mobile user equipment, UE, comprising: obtaining measurement information from a mobile phased array antenna, PAA, separate from the UE, the measurement information indicating, for at least one signal received by the PAA from a plurality of base stations, a received power, RP; determining, for the signal, a quality measure based on the RP of the signals; and transmitting, to a network node, a first message indicating the determined quality measure and enabling the network node to select at least one of the plurality of base stations as a target base station for a communication connection with the UE. Also a computer program, a UE, and a system.