Deployment Protection for Interference of 5G Base Stations with Aeronautical Radio Altimeters

Sensors (Basel). 2024 Apr 5;24(7):2313. doi: 10.3390/s24072313.

Abstract

In this manuscript, we present a novel deployment protection method aimed at safeguarding aeronautical radio altimeters (RAs) from interference caused by fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication base stations (BSs). Our methodology involves an integrated interference model for defining prohibited zones and utilizes power control and angle shutoff methods to mitigate interference. First, to ensure reliable protection, we define both horizontal and vertical prohibited zones and investigate their variations to immunize RA against 5G interference. Second, we validate the effectiveness of the model in various operational scenarios, analyzing the influence of factors such as base station types, antenna parameters, flight altitude, and aircraft attitudes to cover a wide range of real-world scenarios. Third, to mitigate interference, we propose and analyze the power control and angle shutoff methods through simulation for the RMa prohibited zone. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the deployment protection method in safeguarding RAs from 5G interference, providing guidance for interference protection during civil aviation operations and base station deployment near airports.

Keywords: 5G; deployment protection; interference; radio altimeter.