Radar Altimeter Interference Mitigation Using 5G Signal Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar altimeters are susceptible to radio frequency interference from modern telecommunications networks, such as 5G, which can compromise their performance and safety, as conventional band-pass filters are inadequate in filtering out adjacent frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
An RF receiver subsystem adjusts the operation of radar altimeters based on signal strength and timing synchronization information from network signals, disabling or adjusting components during periods of high interference to mitigate interference from telecommunications networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional band-pass filters are used to reject signals from adjacent frequency bands, then RF interference very close to operating radar altimeter bands is reduced, but the passband of the radar altimeter receiver may be compromised and performance adversely impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the receiver bandwidth parameter based on detected network signal conditions. When strong telecommunications signals are detected, the bandwidth is reduced to mitigate interference. When signals are weak or absent, the bandwidth is increased to maintain measurement precision. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize both interference rejection and performance under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the radar altimeter receiver, specifically the bandwidth, based on the detected signal environment. By adjusting the bandwidth parameter in response to network signal strength, the system can achieve adequate RF interference rejection without permanently compromising the passband characteristics that enable accurate altitude measurement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filtering alone is used to protect the radar altimeter from RF interference, then some interference is reduced, but protection is insufficient at frequencies very close to the altimeter band
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the RF environment by detecting network signal strength and uses this feedback to adjust the receiver bandwidth in real-time. This closed-loop approach ensures that the radar altimeter receives adequate protection from RF interference at frequencies very close to the altimeter band, while maintaining measurement precision when interference is not present.
3Productivity
If the radar altimeter operates continuously without adjustment, then measurement coverage is maximized, but interference from telecommunications networks compromises safety and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The radar altimeter dynamically adjusts its operational parameters based on the detected telecommunications signal environment. When strong network signals are detected, the system reduces bandwidth or temporarily suspends operation to ensure safety. When signals are weak, the system operates at full capability, maximizing measurement coverage. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between continuous operation and safe operation under interference conditions.
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
Enables safe and reliable radar altimeter operations near telecommunications networks by reducing interference, allowing vehicles to operate without maintaining a standoff distance and without prior knowledge of network element operations.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to generate radio frequency (RF) signals, and to provide the RF signals to an antenna configured to radiate the RF signals towards a ground location
Implementation Method 2
receiving the reflected or scattered signal back from the terrain, and determining the height above the terrain by measuring the round-trip propagation time of the signal
Implementation Method 3
configured to adjust the operation of the radar altimeter based on the signal strength of network signals received from the network receiver
Implementation Method 4
Radar altimeters traditionally addressed RF signal interference by implementing a receiver band-pass filter that rejects signals from adjacent frequency bands
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for mitigating network interference from impacting a radar altimeter implemented on a vehicle include determining signal parameters from received network signals from a telecommunications network, such as a 5G network. The signal parameters can include the signal strength of the network signals and the timing synchronization information of the network signals. The operation of the radar altimeter is adjusted based on the signal parameters received from the network signals.