Method and intelligent digital beam forming system for interference mitigation
First Claim
1. A method of communicating with a mobile subscriber unit comprising the steps of:
- receiving from the mobile subscriber unit communication signals by a satellite communication node within one narrow antenna beam, said narrow antenna beam being one of a plurality of narrow antenna beams being provided by said satellite communication node, said plurality of narrow antenna beams defining a satellite footprint region on earth'"'"'s surface;
receiving an interfering signal from within a wide antenna beam, the wide antenna beam covering substantially all of the satellite footprint region; and
adjusting receive beam forming coefficients of the one narrow antenna beam to reduce receipt of said interfering signals within the one narrow antenna beam.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An intelligent digital beam former (10) in conjunction with a satellite based array antenna (20) provides a plurality of dynamically controllable antenna beams (52) for communication with subscriber units (90) on earth'"'"'s surface. Interference is mitigated placing a null in the transmit and receive antenna patterns at the location of the interfering signal by adjusting digital beam forming coefficients. As the interfering signal moves relative to the satellite, the interfering signal is tracked to maintain interference mitigation. The digital beam forming coefficients are also dynamically adjusted to help maximize signal quality of communications with subscriber units.
65 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of communicating with a mobile subscriber unit comprising the steps of:
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receiving from the mobile subscriber unit communication signals by a satellite communication node within one narrow antenna beam, said narrow antenna beam being one of a plurality of narrow antenna beams being provided by said satellite communication node, said plurality of narrow antenna beams defining a satellite footprint region on earth'"'"'s surface; receiving an interfering signal from within a wide antenna beam, the wide antenna beam covering substantially all of the satellite footprint region; and adjusting receive beam forming coefficients of the one narrow antenna beam to reduce receipt of said interfering signals within the one narrow antenna beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A satellite communication node that communicates with mobile subscriber units comprising:
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a receiver for receiving from the mobile subscriber unit, communication signals by the satellite communication node within one narrow antenna beam, said narrow antenna beam being one of a plurality of narrow antenna beams being provided by said satellite communication node, said plurality of narrow antenna beams defining a satellite footprint region on earth'"'"'s surface, said receiver for receiving an interfering signal from within a wide antenna beam, the wide antenna beam covering substantially all of the satellite footprint region; and a receive controller for dynamically adjusting receive beam forming coefficients of the one narrow antenna beam to reduce receipt of said interfering signals within the one narrow antenna beam. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A subscriber unit for communicating voice data with a communication node comprising:
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an array antenna having a plurality of radiating elements that provide an antenna beam for receiving and transmitting communication signals; a receive digital beam former (DBF) network for controlling phase and amplitude of signals received from each radiating element; and a controller for providing for each radiating element, coefficients for controlling characteristics of said steerable antenna beam, said coefficients dynamically adjusted to reduce receipt of an interference signal within said antenna beam. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of communicating with a mobile subscriber unit comprising the steps of:
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transmitting to the mobile subscriber unit, communication signals from by a satellite communication node within one narrow antenna beam, said narrow antenna beam being one of a plurality of narrow antenna beams being provided by said satellite communication node, said plurality of narrow antenna beams defining a satellite footprint region on earth'"'"'s surface; receiving an interfering signal from within a wide antenna beam, the wide antenna beam covering substantially all of the satellite footprint region, the interfering signal being provided by an interfering communication station; and adjusting transmit beam forming coefficients of the one narrow antenna beam to reduce transmission of said communication signals toward the interfering communication station. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification