WO2024099548A1 - Système d'antenne haps - Google Patents

Système d'antenne haps Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024099548A1
WO2024099548A1 PCT/EP2022/081243 EP2022081243W WO2024099548A1 WO 2024099548 A1 WO2024099548 A1 WO 2024099548A1 EP 2022081243 W EP2022081243 W EP 2022081243W WO 2024099548 A1 WO2024099548 A1 WO 2024099548A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
antenna
antenna assembly
assembly
signal
aircraft
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/081243
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Maximilian Goettl
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority to PCT/EP2022/081243 priority Critical patent/WO2024099548A1/fr
Publication of WO2024099548A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024099548A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/14—Relay systems
    • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
    • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
    • H04B7/18502—Airborne stations
    • H04B7/18504—Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/20—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path
    • H01Q21/205—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path providing an omnidirectional coverage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/14—Relay systems
    • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
    • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
    • H04B7/18502—Airborne stations
    • H04B7/18506—Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to an antenna system for a High Altitude Platform Station, HAPS, a method of operating the antenna system, and a HAPS comprising the antenna system.
  • a related computer program and a storage medium are also disclosed.
  • a High Altitude Platform Station is a mobile telecommunication platform that is airborne.
  • a HAPS is located in a height of several kilometers above the earth's surface, for example in the Stratosphere (e.g., in a height of about 12 - 50 km).
  • communication satellites are typically located in a much higher altitude.
  • Communication satellites may generally travel in the Thermosphere (e.g., between 80 - 800 km) or in the Exosphere (e.g., between 800 - 10.000 km).
  • LEO Low Earth Orbit
  • satellites may travel in a height between 200 - 2000km.
  • Geostationary communication, GEO satellites are located 35.786 km above the earth's surface.
  • the HAPS may provide communications with earthbound terminals with lower latency compared to GEO and LEO satellites. Furthermore, weather conditions in the Stratosphere are relatively predictable and stable compared with lower layers of the atmosphere (e.g., the Troposphere), which may allow the HAPS to fly in a controlled, predictable and stable manner.
  • Current HAPS may comprise a single antenna to transmit a communication signal to an earthbound terminal at a first point in time and to receive a communication signal from the earthbound terminal at a later second point in time.
  • an antenna system for a High Altitude Platform Station comprising at least one TX (i.e., transmission) antenna assembly comprising a TX antenna configured to transmit a first radio signal to a terminal (e.g., a user equipment such as a mobile phone or a base station such as (e.g., evolved) Node B)) on a ground (e.g., the earth's surface).
  • the antenna system further comprises at least one RX (i.e., reception) antenna assembly comprising a RX antenna configured to receive a second radio signal from the terminal.
  • One or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly are configured to be arranged on a different portion of an aircraft of the HAPS compared with the at least one TX antenna assembly.
  • the antenna system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure allows using a TX antenna configured (e.g., only) for optimal signal transmission and a separate RX antenna configured (e.g., only) for optimal signal reception.
  • the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured to receive, via the respective RX antenna(s), one or more second radio signals at the same time at which the at least one TX antenna assembly transmits, via the respective TX antenna(s), one ore more first radio signals.
  • the use of separate RX and TX antenna assemblies that comprise respective RX and TX antennas may allow for a simultaneous reception and transmission of control and/or communication signals (e.g., on a same frequency or within a same frequency band).
  • the first signal may transport downlink traffic and the second signal may transport uplink traffic (e.g., in case the terminal is a user terminal).
  • the at least one TX antenna assembly and the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured to provide a Full-Duplex communication, (F)DX, for example on a sub-band basis (e.g., via Frequency Division Duplexing, FDD). Time Division Duplexing, TDD, may also be applied.
  • FDD Full-Duplex communication
  • TDD Time Division Duplexing
  • the one or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured to be spaced apart from the at least one TX antenna assembly by at least 5m, at least 10m, at least 20m or at least 30m. This may further improve isolation between a signal transmission path originating at the TX antenna(s) and a signal reception path terminating at the RX antenna(s), thereby reducing interference between transmitted (e.g., first) signals and received (e.g., second) signals.
  • One or more of the at least one TX antenna assembly may be configured to be arranged at a middle or center of the aircraft (e.g., when viewed from a location on the earth's surface that lies beneath the aircraft).
  • the one or more of the at least one TX antenna assembly may be configured to be arranged between (i) a center of gravity of the aircraft and (ii) the earth's center or a ground station (e.g., when the aircraft is airborne).
  • the one or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured to be arranged at a wing of the aircraft.
  • two of the at least one RX antenna assembly are configured to be arranged at opposite ends of the aircraft or at opposite ends of a wing of the aircraft.
  • Each of the at least one RX antenna assemblies may be configured to be more lightweight than each of the at least one IX antenna assembly.
  • the antenna system may comprise at least one RX filter configured to filter the second signal received by the RX antenna.
  • the antenna system may comprise at least one (e.g., low noise) RX amplifier for amplifying the second signal received by the RX antenna.
  • the at least one RX filter and/or the at least one RX amplifier may be configured to be arranged closely to (e.g., no more than 3m, 2m or lm) the RX antenna.
  • the at least one RX filter and/or the at least one RX amplifier may be comprised in the respective RX antenna assembly comprising the RX antenna.
  • the at least one RX filter and/or the at least one RX amplifier are configured to be arranged in a wing of the aircraft.
  • the at least one RX filter and/or the at least one RX amplifier are configured to be arranged between the respective RX antenna assembly and the at least one RX antenna assembly.
  • the at least one RX filter and/or the at least one RX amplifier may be configured to compensate cable attenuation between the respective RX antenna assembly and a control unit of the antenna system as described below.
  • the antenna system may comprise a higher number of RX antenna assemblies than TX antenna assemblies.
  • the number of the RX antenna assemblies may be double, tripe, quadruple or higher than the number of the TX antenna assemblies.
  • the antenna system comprises exactly one TX antenna assembly and two or more RX antenna assemblies. That is, the at least one TX antenna assembly may be exactly one TX antenna assembly and the at least one RX antenna assembly may be or comprise two or more RX antenna assemblies.
  • the two or more RX antenna assemblies may be arranged at a distal portion of the aircraft relative to the exactly one TX antenna assembly and at a proximal portion of the aircraft relative to the exactly one TX antenna assembly.
  • the signal strength of the second signal(s) may be relatively low.
  • a plurality of RX antenna assemblies in the antenna system it may be ensured that at least one of the RX antenna assemblies receives the second signal(s) with an acceptable quality.
  • Signals received by the plurality of RX antenna assemblies may be processed by a (e.g., the) control unit of the antenna system to filter, improve, de-noise and/or reconstruct the signal as transmitted by the respective terminal(s). By providing more than one RX antenna assembly, such processing operations may yield better results.
  • the IX antenna and/or the RX antenna is a single radiating element.
  • the TX antenna and/or the RX antenna may be a dual-polarized antenna.
  • the TX antenna may be configured to transmit a linearly polarized, elliptically polarized and/or circular polarized (e.g., first radio) signal.
  • the RX antenna may be configured to receive a linearly polarized, elliptically polarized and/or circular polarized (e.g., second radio) signal.
  • the TX antenna and/or the RX antenna may be a dual-band or multi-band antenna. That TX antenna and/or the RX antenna may be unbalanced.
  • One or more of the antenna assemblies may comprise an antenna array, wherein the antenna is part of the antenna array of the respective antenna assembly.
  • the antenna array may comprise a plurality of antennas, for example n x n antennas with 2 ⁇ n ⁇ 10.
  • the antenna array may be a (e.g., substantially flat) panel.
  • the plurality of antennas of the antenna array may be arranged within the same plane.
  • the antenna array may be an active antenna array (e.g., configured to provide beam steering) or a passive antenna array (e.g., configured with a fixed beam or beam pattern).
  • one or more of the at least one TX antenna assembly comprise a TX antenna array, wherein the TX antenna is part of the TX antenna array of the respective TX antenna assembly.
  • one or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly comprise a RX antenna array, wherein the RX antenna is part of the RX antenna array of the respective RX antenna assembly.
  • the at least one TX antenna assembly and/or the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured to provide a multiple input multiple output, MIMO, communication or a Coordinated Multipoint, CoMP, communication.
  • One or more of the antenna assemblies may comprise multiple antenna arrays, wherein the antenna is part of one of the antenna arrays of the respective antenna assembly.
  • one or more of the at least one TX antenna assembly comprises a plurality of the TX antenna array.
  • one or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly may comprise a plurality of the RX antenna array.
  • the multiple antenna arrays may be aligned into different spatial directions.
  • Each of the multiple antenna arrays (e.g., of the same antenna assembly) may be associated with a different spatial coverage sector of the antenna system.
  • the multiple antenna arrays (e.g., of the same antenna assembly) may be or comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 antenna arrays.
  • the multiple antenna arrays (e.g., of the same antenna assembly) may be arranged adjacent to one another and/or may be attached to one another.
  • One or more of the antenna assemblies may be associated with a plurality of different spatial coverage sectors of the antenna system.
  • One or more of the antenna assemblies may be configured with a fixed multisector pattern. That is, the one or more of the antenna assemblies may be associated with a predefined pattern and/or shape of spatial coverage sectors of the antenna system.
  • the one or more antenna assemblies may each comprise a Rotmann lens.
  • one or more of the at least one TX antenna assembly may be configured with a fixed multisector pattern.
  • one or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured with a (e.g., same or different) fixed multisector pattern.
  • the at least one TX antenna assembly and/or the at least one RX antenna assembly may be configured to provide a steerable communication beam.
  • the at least one RX antenna assembly and/or the at least one TX antenna assembly may be configured to provide a plurality of communication beams aligned into different spatial directions. Each communication beam may be associated with another sector.
  • the antenna system may be configured to operate on one or more primary frequency bands according to the 3G, 4G, 5G or upcoming 6G communication standard (e.g., in a frequency range of 400MHz-8400 MHz or 8400MHz-24 GHz, preferably 700MHz-2700MHz; and/or in the Frequency Range 1, FR1, of the 5G communication standard, ranging between 410MHz-7125MHz; and/or in the Frequency Range 2 of the 5G communication standard, ranging between 24.25GHz- 17GHz).
  • the antenna system may be configured to additionally operate on a secondary frequency band comprising lower frequencies than the primary frequency band(s) and, for example, comprising at least some frequencies between 300MHz- 1000MHz (e.g., a frequency band used by Internet of Things, loT, terminals).
  • the RX and TX antenna(s) may be adapted accordingly (e.g., as dual-band antennas or by providing separate instances of these antennas, each being adapted for a different frequency band).
  • the antenna system may further comprise a control unit coupled to the at least one TX antenna assembly and the at least one RX antenna assembly.
  • the control unit may be configured to control the at least one TX antenna assembly and the at least one RX antenna assembly.
  • the control unit may be configured to process the second signal(s).
  • the control unit may be configured to filter, improve, de-noise and/or reconstruct the second signal as transmitted by the respective terminal(s), for example based on signals received by two or more of the at least one RX antenna assemblies.
  • the control unit may be configured to perform an interference cancellation of the second signal as transmitted by the respective terminal(s), for example based on a trained machine learning model.
  • the control unit may be configured to process or generate the first signal(s).
  • the control unit may be configured to perform the method according to the second aspect described herein below.
  • a method of operating the antenna system according to the first aspect is provided.
  • the method may be performed by the control unit of the antenna system according to the first aspect.
  • the method comprises operating one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly and one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly in a Full-Duplex, (F)DX, mode.
  • the method may comprise operating (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly and (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly to transmit the first signal(s) and receive the second signal(s) within a same time slot and frequency band.
  • the method may comprise operating (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly and (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly to transmit the first signal(s) and receive the second signal(s) within a same time slot but on different sub-bands of a component carrier, CC, frequency band.
  • This may combine Frequency Division Duplexing, FDD, and Time Division Duplexing, TDD.
  • the method may further comprise operating (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly and (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly to provide a multiple input multiple output, MIMO, communication or a Coordinated Multipoint, CoMP, communication.
  • operating e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly and (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly to provide a multiple input multiple output, MIMO, communication or a Coordinated Multipoint, CoMP, communication.
  • the method may comprise performing beamsteering with (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly (e.g., the TX antenna array(s) thereof).
  • the method may comprise performing beamsteering with (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly (e.g., the RX antenna array(s) thereof).
  • the method may comprise controlling (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly and/or (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly to provide a (e.g., same or different) beamforming multisector pattern.
  • Each multisector pattern may consist of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more sectors.
  • the method may comprise selecting, from a plurality of predefined sectors on the ground (e.g., the spatial coverage sectors), based on at least one parameter derived from a second radio signal received by (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly, a (e.g., spatial coverage) sector to which the first signal is to be transmitted by (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly, for example by a first of the at least one TX antenna assembly.
  • the method may further comprise scheduling resources for the terminal based on (e.g., the) at least one parameter derived from a (e.g., the) second radio signal received by (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly.
  • the at least one parameter may comprise one or more of:
  • (v) a comparison of one or more of (i)-(iv) with corresponding values of a second radio signal associated with a neighboring (e.g., spatial coverage) sector.
  • the method may comprise controlling the one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one TX antenna assembly, for example the first of the at least one TX antenna assembly, to transmit the first signal to the selected sector.
  • the first signal may be transmitted without (e.g., electronical and/or phase-shifted) beamforming.
  • the method may further comprise determining, based on a second signal received by (e.g., the) one or more of (e.g., all of) the at least one RX antenna assembly when transmitting the first signal, a measure of an interference between the transmitted first signal and the received second signal.
  • the method may comprise comparing the measure of interference with a predefined criterion.
  • the method may comprise, if the measure of interference meets the predefined criterion, re-using resources, previously scheduled for the terminal, as scheduled resources for one or more additional terminals and/or for one or more sectors (e.g., one or more of the spatial coverage sectors of the antenna system) differing from the selected (e.g., spatial coverage) sector.
  • a High Altitude Platform Station comprising the antenna system according to the first aspect and the aircraft, wherein the one or more of the at least one RX antenna assembly are arranged on the different portion of the aircraft compared with the at least one TX antenna assembly.
  • the aircraft may comprise an electric propulsion system.
  • the aircraft may comprise an energy storage unit such as a battery.
  • the aircraft may comprise one or more solar cells.
  • the one or more solar cells may be electrically coupled to the energy storage unit.
  • the aircraft may be a plane.
  • the aircraft may be a tailless fixed-wing aircraft such as a flying wing.
  • the aircraft may have a wingspan of more than 20m, more than 30m, more than 40m, more than 50m, more than 60m, more than 70m (e.g., 78m) or more than 80m.
  • the aircraft may be configured for a continuous flight time of several months (e.g., 2 months or more).
  • the aircraft may be configured to fly in a height of approximately or exactly 15 - 24 km.
  • the antenna system may be configured to provide an overall coverage area (e.g., consisting of all spatial coverage sectors) having a diameter of approximately or exactly 200 km.
  • the at least one TX antenna assembly and/or the at least one RX antenna assembly may be located outside or inside a wing of the aircraft.
  • the at least one TX antenna assembly and/or the at least one RX antenna assembly may be located outside or inside fairings of the aircraft.
  • Material of the aircraft that lies in viewing or beam direction(s) of the respective antenna assembly may be transparent (e.g., have a transparency above a predefined threshold) for electromagnetic radiation having a frequency or frequency range similar to the first and/or second signal.
  • the material may have a low attenuation, at least for this particular frequency or frequency range electromagnetic radiation.
  • the material may be configured (e.g., as a lens) to shape a beam of the respective antenna assembly.
  • a computer program comprises instructions that, when executed by a control unit of an antenna system (e.g., the control unit of the antenna system of the first aspect), causes the control unit to perform the method according to the second aspect.
  • the computer program may be stored on a storage medium (e.g., a memory of a computing system) or carried by a data stream.
  • a storage medium carries or stores the computer program according to the fourth aspect.
  • the storage medium may be a computer-readable medium such as a non-transitory computer storage medium (e.g., a hard drive).
  • Fig. 1 shows a HAPS as part of a network structure in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the HAPS of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows a side view of an exemplary antenna assembly of the HAPS
  • Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the exemplary antenna assembly of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the exemplary antenna assembly of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 6 shows an exemplary method in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Fig. 7 shows a first exemplary circuit diagram in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Fig. 8 shows a second exemplary circuit diagram in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Fig. 9 shows an exemplary method in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • a HAPS 100 generally provides a service link to a coverage area 2 having a diameter of around 200km, for example.
  • the coverage area 2 may be divided into different spatial coverage sectors 4.
  • a terminal such as a user equipment (UE) 5 may be arranged in the coverage area 2 and communicate with the HAPS.
  • the HAPS 100 may be communicatively connected to another terminal such as a ground station or gateway 6 via a feeder link that is separate from the service link.
  • the gateway 6 may be connected to a core network (e.g., via a backhaul connection).
  • the HAPS 100 may provide a connection between the UE 5 and the Internet, for example. This is particularly advantageous in case no local base stations are within reach for the UE 5, for example in remote rural areas.
  • Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the HAPS 100 of Fig. 1.
  • the HAPS 100 comprises an antenna system 200 and an aircraft 300.
  • the aircraft 300 in this example is a flying wing having a wingspan of 78 m and configured to travel in a height of 15 - 24 km for a duration of several months.
  • the wing is designated with reference sign 302.
  • the aircraft 300 may be an unmanned aircraft and in the illustrated example comprises solar cells and a plurality of batteries 304.
  • the aircraft may comprise an electric propulsion system including propellers 306.
  • the batteries 304 may supply energy to the electric propulsion system and to the antenna system 200.
  • the antenna system 200 in this example comprises two reception (RX) antenna assemblies 202, 204 arranged at opposite longitudinal ends of the wing 302, a transmission (TX) antenna assembly 206 arranged at a middle of the wing 302, and a control unit 208 that may also be arranged at the middle of the wing 302.
  • RX reception
  • TX transmission
  • control unit 208 that may also be arranged at the middle of the wing 302.
  • the control unit 208 is communicatively coupled to the TX antenna assembly 206 and the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204.
  • a computer-readably memory 209 is communicatively coupled with the control unit 208.
  • the arrangement of the control unit 208 and the memory 209 may differ from the example shown in Fig. 2, and both components may be integrated into a single chipset or processing system.
  • the TX antenna assembly 206 comprises a TX antenna configured to transmit a first radio signal to a terminal on the ground (e.g., to the UE 5 or to the gateway 6).
  • Each of the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 comprises a RX antenna configured to receive a second radio signal from the terminal.
  • each of the RX antenna assemblies is spaced apart from the central TX antenna assembly by more than 30 m.
  • the antenna assemblies may be arranged within the aircraft 300 or within a weather-proof housing attached to the aircraft 300, as long as any material within a field of view of the respective antenna assembly is sufficiently transparent to electromagnetic radiation having a similar frequency as the first and/or second signal.
  • Fig. 3 shows a side view of an exemplary antenna assembly of the HAPS 100.
  • Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the exemplary antenna assembly of Fig. 3
  • Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the exemplary antenna assembly of Fig. 3.
  • the assembly shown in Figs. 3-5 may correspond to one of the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 or to the TX antenna assembly 206.
  • the antenna assembly of Figs. 3-5 will be described with reference to the TX antenna assembly 206 and its TX antenna, although the same may apply to the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 and their RX antennas.
  • the antenna assembly 206 comprises five antenna arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, each array comprising four TX antennas 226.
  • Each array 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 is formed as a flat panel having a trapezoid outline.
  • the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 are arranged adjacent to one another such that the base lines of the respective trapezoid outlines lie within a same, first plane.
  • the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 are also arranged such that the top lines of the respective trapezoid outlines lie within a same, second plane.
  • each of the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 is aligned into a different spatial direction. This allows each of the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 to transmit signals into a spatial coverage sector associated with the respective array.
  • An additional antenna 226 or antenna array may be arranged parallel to the first and the second plane and associated with another (e.g., a central) spatial coverage sector. Each antenna 226 may be a dual-polarized antenna.
  • One or more of the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 may be configured with a fixed or static beam pattern.
  • the antenna assembly 206 may be configured with a fixed or static multisector pattern.
  • beamsteering and/or beamforming may be performed (e.g., based on instructions of the control unit 208) with one or more of the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218.
  • the beamsteering and/or beamforming may enable the antenna assembly to provide variable multisector patterns.
  • Fig. 6 shows an exemplary method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method may be performed by the control unit 208 of the antenna system 200 of the HAPS 100.
  • a sector 4 to which the first signal is to be transmitted is selected.
  • the sector 4 may be selected from a plurality of predefined sectors 4 on the ground.
  • the sector 4 may be selected based on at least one parameter derived from second radio signals received by the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204.
  • step 604 resources for communicating with the terminal are scheduled.
  • the resources may be scheduled based on (e.g., the) at least one parameter derived from a second radio signal received by the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204.
  • the at least one parameter used in step 602 and/or step 604 may comprise an estimated direction of arrival, DoA, of the second radio signal, levels of the second radio signal or a delay between the second radio signal as received by the different RX antenna assemblies 202, 204, and/or a polarization of the second radio signal.
  • the at least one parameter may be based on a comparison of values of a second radio signal associated with a first sector 4 and corresponding values of a second radio signal associated with a second sector 4 neighboring or adjacent to the first sector 4.
  • the TX antenna assembly 206 is controlled to transmit the first radio signal to the selected sector 4 (e.g., without electronical beamforming).
  • the first radio signal may transport a Random Access Response message.
  • the TX antenna assembly 206 and the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 are both operated.
  • the TX antenna assembly 206 and the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 may be operated in Full-Duplex mode to send and receive signals simultaneously (e.g., within a same subframe).
  • the TX antenna assembly 206 and the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 may be operated to provide a multiple input multiple output, MIMO, communication or a Coordinated Multipoint, CoMP, communication.
  • a measure of interference is determined, for example based on a second signal received by one or both RX antenna assemblies 202, 204 while transmitting a first signal with the TX antenna assembly 206.
  • the measure of interference may be indicative of an interference between the transmitted first signal and the received second signal.
  • the measure of interference may be compared with a predefined criterion (e.g., a predefined minimum signal to noise ratio). If the measure of interference meets the predefined criterion, the method proceeds with step 614.
  • step 614 resources previously scheduled for the terminal (e.g., in step 604) are re-used as scheduled resources for one or more additional terminals (e.g., additional UEs) and/or for one or more sectors 4 differing from the sector selected in step 602.
  • additional terminals e.g., additional UEs
  • the present disclosure also provides for a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by the control unit 208 of the antenna system 200, causes the control unit 208 to perform the method described with reference to Fig. 6.
  • a storage medium e.g., the memory 209 storing the computer program may also be provided.
  • Fig. 7 shows a first exemplary circuit diagram in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • six paths 702 are provided, each being connected to another one of the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 of the TX antenna assembly 206, also referred to as "Centre Tx Module".
  • Each paths comprises a filter 704 and a signal amplifier 706.
  • a pre-processor block 708 determines a real and an imaginary component for the signal to be transmitted, performs linearization, digital amplification and upconversion.
  • the pre-processor block 708 is supplied with a signal via a Common Public Radio Interface, CPRI, block 710. In a preceding logical processing block 712, sector control and Full-Duplex control is performed.
  • CPRI Common Public Radio Interface
  • the logical processing block 712 is coupled to the RX antenna assemblies 202, 204, also referred to as "Rx Modules", for example coupled to or integrated with block 726 described below.
  • Rx Modules also referred to as "Rx Modules”
  • One or more of the blocks 708, 710, and 712 may be realized in software.
  • the control unit 208 may be configured to perform the functions of these blocks.
  • Fig. 8 shows a second exemplary circuit diagram in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the RX antenna assembly 202 also referred to as “6 sector Rx Module right”
  • the RX antenna assembly 204 also referred to as “6 sector Rx Module left”
  • six paths 714 are provided, each being connected to another one of the arrays 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 of the respective RX antenna assembly 202, 204.
  • Each path 714 comprises a filter 716 and a (e.g., low-noise) amplifier 718.
  • a block 720 determines a real and an imaginary component of the received signal(s) and forwards the information to a CPRI block 722. Although separate blocks 720, 722 are shown in Fig.
  • a single block 720 and/or a single block 722 may be used instead for both RX antenna assemblies 202, 204.
  • Another block 724 performs a determination of a direction of arrival, DoA, of the signals received via the different RX antenna assemblies 202, 204. This block may also perform sector finding, for example by determining in which coverage sector of the antenna system 200 the received signal originated. The block 724 may employ Maximum Ratio Combining, MRC, as a receiver algorithm.
  • Another block 726 performs sector scheduling (e.g., selection of a sector into which a signal is to be transmitted and/or scheduling of resources for this transmission).
  • the block 726 may comprise a scheduler for Full Duplex operations and generate a transmission signal Tx.
  • the block 726 is coupled to the block 712 or is part of block 712.
  • Another block 728 performs Full Duplex correlation control and Full Duplex compensation.
  • One or more of the blocks 720-728 may be realized in software.
  • the control unit 208 may be configured to perform the functions of these blocks.
  • Fig. 9 shows an exemplary method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method may be performed by the control unit 208 and/or by one or more of the blocks described above with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. The method may be combined with the method of Fig. 6.
  • step 902 Synchronization Signal, SS, and/or System Information, SI, broadcasting is performed via all sectors of the antenna system 200.
  • an uplink signal (e.g., the second signal) is received with one or more of the RX antenna arrays.
  • the uplink signal may fall into one of a plurality of reception channels, coverage sectors and/or signal polarizations monitored by the antenna system 200.
  • step 906 DoA sector determination is performed based on the level of the detected uplink signal.
  • MRC and DoA estimation is performed based on a delay between the uplink signal as received by a first RX antenna assembly (e.g., 202) and as received by a second RX antenna assembly (e.g., 204), and based on values of neighbored sectors using MRC.
  • step 910 a sector 4 for transmitting the first signal is selected based on the determination of steps 906 and 908. Steps 906, 908 and this portion of step 910 may correspond to or be part of step 602 described above. Further, in step 910, the first signal is transmitted via the TX antenna assembly (e.g., 206) into the selected sector 4. This may correspond to step 604 described above. The first signal transports a Random Access Response Message.
  • a transmission interference level is determined based on a correlation of the transmitted and the received signal(s). This may correspond to step 610 described above.
  • step 914 if the interference level is below a usable limit (i.e., below a maximum allowed or predefined interference level), the scheduler (e.g., block 726) may be allowed to re-use the scheduled resources (e.g., timeslot and/or frequency or subband) for other UEs and/or sectors. This may correspond to step 614 described above.
  • a usable limit i.e., below a maximum allowed or predefined interference level
  • HAPS may use a plane as platform for serving big communication sectors.
  • HAPS belong to the field of NTN (Non Terrestrial Networks).
  • NTN Non Terrestrial Networks
  • the goal of providing HAPS is to cover a large area like 200km diameter in an area with low or very low population.
  • One way of serving HAPS is to use a solar plane flying in 15-24km height equipped with mobile communication transmit and receive technology. On the ground, state of the art mobiles can be used.
  • Full Duplex implementations may require very high Rx-Tx isolations.
  • a high RX-TX separation can be provided.
  • Using multiple RX antenna assemblies with high diversity gain (space diversity) may enable full duplex application and an enhanced Rx link level.
  • the RX antenna assemblies may be placed outside close to the wing-ends of the aircraft, whereas the TX antenna assembly may be placed in the center or close to the center of the aircraft.
  • Full duplex may improve the useable spectrums efficiency and data rates.
  • a spatial reuse of the resources can be considered.
  • the uplink and coverage may be improved. Due to very high isolation of more than 80 dB, also the sensitivity may be improved and/or savings in the required filters may be realized.
  • the large distance of RX and TX antenna assemblies (e.g., 202/204 and 206) may also improve direction findings.
  • the connection between the aircraft and the UE may be a line of sight (LoS) connection.
  • LoS line of sight
  • the plane may have extremely broad wings, up to 80m.
  • most of the equipment may be mounted in the center of the plane.
  • two dual polarized receiving modules including the low nose amplifiers, LNAs
  • LNAs low nose amplifiers
  • one Rx module are arranged also more than one antenna, but up to 4 or 6 antennas in a receiving (sub-)array or panel.
  • the signal processing of the Rx path may be based on maximum ratio combining, MRC.
  • the Tx path may not use an electronical beamforming but a selection of the used sector in one module (also referred to as single module approach), which may correspond to a selection of one of the arrays of the TX antenna assembly.
  • the mobile terminals may employ dual polarized antennas for Tx and Rx, the polarization information of the Rx path may be used for Tx control, for example if a MIMO system or dual polarization channels shall be used.
  • the information about the level of the Rx signal may be used to determine the Tx sector. Both information, e.g. the polarization control and the sector control, may be used and combined with the Tx to schedule multi-user resources in both used orthogonal polarizations and sectors. This may work very good especially in LoS operation.
  • the two or more Rx modules may be used for realizing Full Duplex operation, e.g. to transmit and receive in the same frequency band and time slot.
  • This operation may require very high Rx/Tx isolation. Due to the big size and the reflection free environment, this may be realized with the antenna system of the HAPS described herein.
  • the scheduling of the Full duplex resources may be assigned to different UE 's for coherent resources.
  • the Rx modules may comprise antenna arrays, whereas the antennas of the arrays may point into different directions.
  • the Rx modules may have a comparable number and structure of antennas as the Tx module.
  • the scheduling of the UEs can be synchronized according to the direction or sector information.
  • the UE may be located I assigned to a certain sector of the Tx-Antenna, based on information of the direction finding of the (both) Rx antenna modules (RX antenna assemblies).
  • the accuracy of the direction determination may be improved, as in the LoS condition they will deliver a very clear DoA determination.
  • the sector and direction information may be used to enable re-use of the resources in frequency and time domain on a spatial separation basis. This is enabled also due to the high Tx-Rx separation.
  • the antenna system may comprise more than two RX antenna assemblies or RX antenna assemblies having different configurations as illustrated in Figs. 3-5.
  • the sequence of the method steps described herein above with reference to Figs. 6 and 9 may be changed. Some of the method steps may be entirely avoided. Additional modifications and advantages may become apparent to those skilled in the art.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

La divulgation concerne de manière générale un système d'antenne (200) pour une station de plateforme à haute altitude (HAPS) (100), le système d'antenne (200) comprenant au moins un ensemble antenne TX (206) comprenant une antenne TX (226) configurée pour transmettre un premier signal radio à un terminal (5 ; 6) au sol, et au moins un ensemble antenne RX (202, 204) comprenant une antenne RX (226) configurée pour recevoir un second signal radio en provenance du terminal (5 ; 6), un ou plusieurs desdits ensembles antenne RX (202, 204) étant configurés pour être agencés sur une partie différente d'un aéronef (300) de la HAPS (100) par rapport au ou aux ensembles antenne TX (206). La divulgation concerne également une HAPS comprenant le système d'antenne et un procédé de fonctionnement du système d'antenne, ainsi qu'un programme informatique et un support de stockage.
PCT/EP2022/081243 2022-11-09 2022-11-09 Système d'antenne haps WO2024099548A1 (fr)

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Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ALSUHLI GHADA ET AL: "A survey on the role of UAVs in the communication process: A technological perspective", COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS, ELSEVIER SCIENCE PUBLISHERS BV, AMSTERDAM, NL, vol. 194, 14 July 2022 (2022-07-14), pages 86 - 123, XP087180763, ISSN: 0140-3664, [retrieved on 20220714], DOI: 10.1016/J.COMCOM.2022.07.021 *
SAMAIYAR AMAN ET AL: "Planar Array Apertures for In-Band Full-Duplex Systems", 1 May 2021 (2021-05-01), pages 1 - 143, XP093019791, ISBN: 979-8-5381-2034-5, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://www.proquest.com/docview/2572573006?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true> [retrieved on 20230201] *

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