Systems and methods for controlling base station sectors to reduce potential interference with low elevation satellites

• US 8,923,850 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Yuwen
• Assistant Examiner(s): AYOTUNDE, AYODEJI O
• Application Number:
  US11/682,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20070243866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,856 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/430
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2643 using time-division multiple access [TDMA] H04B7/2615, H04B7/2618 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0062 Avoidance of ingress interference, e.g. ham radio channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

Interference between satellite radioterminal communications systems may be reduced by transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode by a wireless base station in a first sector thereof, while simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode by the wireless base station in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite. Satellite uplink frequencies may be transmitted and received in the TDD mode by a satellite that communicates with radioterminals in the second sector.

Claims

1. A method of reducing interference between satellite radioterminal communications systems comprising:

transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode by a wireless base station in a first sector thereof while simultaneously retraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode by the wireless base station in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode by a satellite that communicates with radioterminals in the second sector.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode and in a non-TDD mode by the wireless base station in the second sector thereof.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting satellite downlink frequencies in a non-TDD mode by the wireless base station in the second sector thereof.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting and receiving satellite downlink frequencies in the TDD mode by the wireless base station in the second sector thereof.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving comprises simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode by the wireless base station in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite and has a direct line-of sight path to the low elevation satellite.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving comprises simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode by the wireless base station in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite and is located near a coastline.

8. A system for reducing interference between satellite radioterminal communications systems comprising:

a wireless base station that is configured to transmit and receive satellite uplink frequencies in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode in a first sector thereof while simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite.

9. A system according to claim 8 further comprising a satellite that is configured to transmit and receive satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode to communicate with radioterminals in the second sector.

10. A system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless base station is further configured to refrain from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode and in a non-TDD mode in the second sector thereof.

11. A system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless base station is further configured to refrain from transmitting satellite downlink frequencies in a non-TDD mode in the second sector thereof.

12. A system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless base station is further configured to transmit and receive satellite downlink frequencies in the TDD mode in the second sector thereof.

13. A system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless base station is configured to simultaneously refrain from transmitting and receiving by simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite and has a direct line-of sight path to the low elevation satellite.

14. A system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless base station is configured to simultaneously refrain from transmitting and receiving by simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite and is located near a coastline.