Sprint Communications Comapny L.p.

T-mobile Innovations LLC

Chaitanya Chukka

Andrew Mark Wurtenberger

Patrick Jacob Schmidt

Matthew J Masters

Sreekar Marupaduga

Wilbur E Hill

Anoop Kumar Goyal

Eugene S Mitchell, Jr

Ivy Yvonne Kelly

The technology disclosed herein relates to enhanced millimeter (mm) wave coverage based on mm wave interactions with physical objects. For example, the technology disclosed herein can receive and store physical object data for physical objects located within a coverage area provided by antenna elements, which are each within a threshold distance of each other. Further, a location of a user device within the coverage area can be identified. An algorithm (e.g., an adaptive learning algorithm) can be used to determine a mm wave transmission path based on the location of the user device and the physical object data. For example, the algorithm can account for reflections and refractions of the mm wave signal with the physical objects. One or more of the plurality of antenna elements can transmit a mm wave signal for the user device to receive based on the determined mm wave transmission path.

Enhanced mm wave coverage using reflection or refraction of the mm waves within an environment

Methods, media, and systems are provided for improving beamset management and enhancing coverage in a wireless telecommunication network utilizing millimeter wave (mmWave) communications. The wireless telecommunication network can correspond to an urban area, for example. As one example, the technology disclosed herein can reduce dropped call rates within the wireless telecommunication network. In embodiments, sector metrics are received for one or more sectors of the wireless telecommunication network and stored at a primary-secondary cell and a special cell of at least one of the sectors of the wireless telecommunication network. A beamset (or at least one parameter thereof) corresponding to a sector is changed based on the sector metrics stored at the primary-secondary cell and the special cell. The sector metrics include beamset data (e.g., beamset data corresponding to an alpha sector of the one or more sectors of the wireless telecommunication network).

mmWave 5G propagation using inter-sector beamsets

Systems and methods are provided for redundant antenna systems and methods of managing the power allocated thereto. A redundant antenna system comprises a first antenna array and a second antenna array, wherein each of the first and second antenna arrays are oriented to transmit downlink signals to different geographic areas. A first set of antenna elements of the first antenna array and a second set of antenna elements of the second antenna array are powered by a common power supply. In a normal operating mode, the power supply only powers the first set of antenna elements and in aspects of a redundant operating mode used to serve a degraded geographic service area, the power supply powers both the first set of antenna elements and the second set of antenna elements.

Power management of redundant array based on network conditions

Methods and systems are provided for dynamically assigning a wireless communication protocol to one or more antenna elements of an antenna array. The methods can include receiving information associated with one or more user devices and, based on the received information, identifying one or more antenna elements of the antenna array, for switching between first and second wireless communication protocols. The methods can also include switching the one or more antenna elements between the first and second wireless communication protocols.

Dynamic assignment of wireless communication protocol to antenna elements of an antenna array

In a wireless communication network, an access node controller determines data throughput over a target access node. A source access node wirelessly exchanges user data with User Equipment (UE) and determines data throughput. The source access node receives signal parameters for the source access node and target access node from the UE. The source access node compares the signal parameters and responsively transfers a handover request that indicates the target node and the UE throughput over the source node. The access node controller receives the handover request and compares the source throughput to the target throughput to determine a handover value. The access node controller transfers the handover value to the source access node. The source access node compares the signal parameters based on the handover value, and responsively hands-over the UE to the target access node which wirelessly exchanges user data with the UE.

Wireless communication handover control based on user equipment (UE) throughput

Methods and systems are provided for dynamically modifying a position of an antenna array having a plurality of dipole elements. Initially, it is determined that a quantity of user devices that are attached to the antenna array is at or near a capacity that is able to attach to the antenna array in its current position. An instruction is communicated to rotate the antenna array from a first position to a second position. The current quantity of user devices attached to the antenna array is continually monitored to determine when to instruct that the antenna array be rotated from the second position back to the first position.

Dynamic antenna array rotation

An antenna system for a wireless network that provides multi-band and/or multi-sector operation from a single location is provided. The antenna system may provide improved control and adjustment of antennas contained within a compact design to allow sectors of coverage provided by the antennas to be modified to accommodate different cell site parameters that may otherwise have been satisfied using a more distributed arrangement of antennas.

Antenna system for wireless networks

Systems and methods are provided for reducing massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO)/5G out-of-band-emission. After detecting interference with an adjacent band, the mMIMO unit (MMU) determines the best corrective action based on calculations to determine if the equivalent isotropically radiated power would still lead to emissions in the adjacent band and, if required, apply one or more corrective actions. In one corrective action, the MMU reduces the overall power by turning off certain power amplifiers driving the dipoles. In another corrective action, the MMU changes the antenna beam width automatically to sway away from the target. In yet another corrective action, the MMU alternates the output power control range. In each of the aspects, the analysis is based on distance and boresight azimuth, as well as location factors. In some aspects, a topographic map of the affected area is utilized to determine clutter so that the selected corrective action is most effective.

Reducing massive multiple-input multiple-output/5G interference with an adjacent band

Methods and systems for mitigating the effects of an atmospheric-based interference event on the propagation of a radio frequency (RF) signal are provided. A wireless communication network may determine, based on internal or external inputs, that a meteorologic condition is likely to occur and that the condition is likely to affect the propagation of an RF signal. In response to the determination and prior to the condition occurring, the network may proactively modify characteristics of the base station propagating the RF signal in order to prevent or mitigate the impact of the interference event on the RF signal's propagation.

Automated mitigation of atmospheric-based interference events

A wireless communication system to detect a sleepy-cell condition. The wireless communication system comprises a remote radio head that receives network data comprising user data and beamforming instructions from a baseband unit. The remote radio head transfers the user data to wireless communication devices over wireless column beams responsive to the beamforming instructions. The remote radio head further detects a loss of the beamforming instructions for a time threshold and responsively transfers a sleepy-cell alarm indicating the baseband unit.

Wireless communication system to detect a sleepy-cell condition

The invention is directed to methods and systems for adjusting the vertical beam width of an imbalanced antenna. In one embodiment, first and second antenna arrays are imbalanced because one of the arrays has at least one more radiating element than the other. The additional gain created by additional radiating element(s) distorts the beam and alters the coverage area of the corresponding array, in embodiments. The tilt of the array having at least one more additional radiating element(s) is modified using phase shifting technology and based on the tilt of the array having fewer elements. By modifying tilt of the array having at least one more additional radiating element(s), the upper 3 dB points of the first and second array may be aligned to correct for the distorted beam and altered coverage area between the first and second arrays.

Systems and methods for adjusting vertical beam width

Detection and mitigation of signal conflict, such as a primary synchronization signal conflict, between broadcast cells in a wireless communication network is provided. Multiple broadcast cells may be provided in the network to provide sectors of coverage. A mobile communication device may operate within the network and attempt to attach to one or more of the broadcast cells. A synchronization signal conflict between neighboring broadcast cells may be identified and mitigated using one or more adjustments to the broadcast cells or signals emitted therefrom, which may allow for improved network performance, among other benefits.

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Overland Park, KS, United States of America

Chaitanya Chukka