SoftBank Achieves Spectrum Sharing Between HAPS and Terrestrial Base Stations

SoftBank introduced that in April 2024, it efficiently performed a area trial utilizing its cylindrical antenna for Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stratospheric-based wi-fi communication programs at Hokkaido Spaceport, Taiki City, in Hokkaido, Japan. The trial efficiently demonstrated the usage of nullforming know-how to realize spectrum sharing between HAPS and a terrestrial base station, SoftBank stated on Wednesday.

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SoftBank’s R&D Initiatives

SoftBank stated this area trial was performed as a part of its R&D initiatives to boost communication applied sciences used with HAPS. The corporate is conducting R&D on spectrum sharing to allow the deployment of communication providers that use the identical frequency for each HAPS and terrestrial base stations.

To successfully use finite spectrum assets, SoftBank is contemplating the usage of cylindrical antennas as antennas for “service hyperlinks,” which deal with knowledge transmission and reception between HAPS and communication units. The corporate can also be creating nullforming know-how, which considerably suppresses radiowave emissions in specified instructions to cut back interference.

By stopping interference, it’s potential to realize spectrum sharing between HAPS and terrestrial base stations, thereby utilising the spectrum successfully, SoftBank stated.

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Use of Cylindrical Antennas and Nullforming Know-how

On this area trial, SoftBank positioned a terrestrial base station throughout the communication space of a high-altitude tethered aerostat geared up with a cylindrical antenna (airborne base station).

Cellular Gadget A was positioned throughout the communication space of the airborne base station whereas Cellular Gadget B was positioned in a geographically shut location throughout the communication space of the terrestrial base station.

The identical frequency was used for each the airborne base station and the terrestrial base station, and the communication speeds of Cellular Gadget A and Cellular Gadget B had been measured based mostly on whether or not nullforming know-how was utilized.

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Outcomes of the Area Trial

By means of this area trial, it was noticed that the applying of nullforming know-how improved the communication speeds of Cellular Gadget B with out considerably degrading the communication velocity of Cellular Gadget A.

Moreover, by making use of nullforming know-how, interference between each base stations was lowered, confirming that Cellular Gadget B achieved communication speeds equal to these in an surroundings with out radio interference when the radiowaves from the airborne base station had been halted to stop interference.

Future Implications and Subsequent Steps

In keeping with the corporate, the sphere trial confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of spectrum sharing between airborne base stations and terrestrial base stations utilizing nullforming know-how in precise out of doors environments.

Utilizing the information and knowledge obtained by this area trial, SoftBank stated it’s going to proceed to work in direction of the sensible use of HAPS and the environment friendly utilisation of the spectrum.