Satellite Spectrum Reuse via Terrestrial Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite communications systems face challenges in reliably serving densely populated areas due to signal blocking by high-rise structures and poor penetration into buildings, leading to underutilization of satellite spectrum, and existing solutions like dual mode radioterminals are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow a first satellite operator to reuse spectrum allocated to a second satellite operator while maintaining an aggregate interference level at or below a predetermined threshold, using a combination of space-based and terrestrial components to control interference, allowing for efficient communication without exceeding coordination thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If satellite spectrum is reused terrestrially in densely populated areas, then communication capacity and reliability are improved, but interference levels to other satellite operators increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters including power spectral density, data rate, and vocoder rate based on interference conditions. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system can increase communication capacity when interference is low while reducing transmission when interference approaches threshold levels, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where interference levels are continuously monitored and used to adjust transmission parameters. This closed-loop control allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, increasing capacity utilization when the spectrum is available while preventing harmful interference to other satellite operators, thereby resolving the technical contradiction
2Reliability
If dual mode radioterminals are used to provide both satellite and terrestrial communication, then service reliability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables a single radioterminal to operate in both satellite and terrestrial modes using the same hardware infrastructure. By making the communication system universal and capable of multiple operating modes, it provides service reliability through mode switching without requiring separate dual-mode devices, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines satellite and terrestrial communication capabilities into a unified system architecture where both modes share common infrastructure including radioterminals, base stations, and control mechanisms. This merging approach provides service reliability through redundant paths while avoiding the complexity of completely separate dual-mode terminal devices
3Area of stationary object
If satellite signals are used in densely populated areas, then communication coverage is improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to blocking and penetration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication function by using satellite signals for wide-area coverage while deploying terrestrial base stations for localized signal quality enhancement in densely populated areas. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal environment, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The terrestrial base station acts as an intermediary between the satellite signal source and the end user in densely populated areas. It receives and retransmits signals, effectively mediating the poor penetration conditions while maintaining the broad coverage benefit of satellite signals, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and signal quality
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing communications can be provided by at least one space-based and/or terrestrial component of a first system/operator transmitting/receiving information using spectrum allocated to a second system/operator at an aggregate interference level at a space-based component of the second system/operator that is less than or substantially equal to a predetermined threshold. Related other methods, systems, and radioterminals are also disclosed.