Impact of 5G Base Stations on C-band Earth Station Antennas Impact of 5G Base Stations on C-band Earth Station Antennas

As we all know that the 5G network of mobile communications has been officially launched, and the frequency used by 5G base stations is close to the C band of satellite communications, which will interfere with the downlink frequency band of satellite earth stations and seriously threaten the normal reception of satellite broadcasting and television signals.

Here we will analyzes various types of interference and proposes several measures for satellite earth stations to avoid interference with combined with specific cases and processing methods in actual work.

Interference types

1.1 Co-frequency interference

In some cases, 5G base stations may use a frequency range similar to that of C-band antennas. If the frequency planning is not reasonable, 5G signals may cause co-frequency interference to the signals received by C-band antennas. This will cause the quality of the signals received by C-band antennas to deteriorate, and there will be problems such as increased noise and higher bit error rates.

For example, in satellite communications, C-band satellite antennas may be subject to co-frequency interference from nearby 5G base stations, affecting the reception and transmission of satellite signals.

1.2 Adjacent frequency interference

Even if the operating frequencies of the 5G base station and the C-band antenna are not exactly the same, adjacent frequency interference may occur if the frequency interval is close. Adjacent frequency interference will distort the signal spectrum received by the C-band antenna and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.

For example, when the transmission frequency of the 5G base station is adjacent to the receiving frequency of the C-band antenna, the out-of-band radiation of the 5G base station may interfere with the C-band antenna.

1.3 Blocking interference

When receiving weak satellite signals, the satellite receiver is interfered by a strong 5G signal next to the receiving frequency, causing the LNB of the satellite receiving link to saturate, resulting in nonlinear distortion and blocking communications.

In view of the above interference, the effect of reducing C-band antenna interference in 5G network construction can be evaluated from the following aspects:

Signal quality

-（SNR）Signal-to-noise ratio

The signal-to-noise ratio is an important indicator for measuring signal quality. When evaluating the effect of interference reduction, you can compare the changes in the signal-to-noise ratio of the C-band antenna receiving signal before and after the interference reduction measures are implemented. If the signal-to-noise ratio is significantly improved, it means that the interference reduction measures have effectively improved the signal quality.

For example, use professional signal testing equipment to measure the signal-to-noise ratio of the C-band antenna in different time periods and analyze the differences before and after interference reduction.

-Bit Error Ratio

The bit error rate reflects the error rate in data transmission. A lower bit error rate indicates a higher reliability of signal transmission. By monitoring the bit error rate changes of the C-band antenna before and after the construction of the 5G network, the degree of interference on data transmission and the effectiveness of interference reduction measures can be evaluated.

Long-term data transmission tests can be conducted to statistically analyze the changes in the bit error rate to determine whether the interference reduction measures have effectively reduced the bit error rate.

-Signal strength

Signal strength directly affects the performance of the receiving device. When evaluating the interference reduction effect, the strength changes of the received signal of the C-band antenna can be measured. If the signal strength increases or remains stable after the interference reduction, it means that the interference reduction measures have played a positive role in signal reception.

Using a signal strength measuring instrument, the signal strength of the C-band antenna is measured at different locations and time points to analyze the signal strength distribution before and after the interference reduction.

2. System performance

– Communication capacity

Communication capacity is an indicator of the transmission capacity of a communication system. If the interference of 5G network construction to C-band antennas is reduced, the communication capacity of C-band communication systems may be improved. Changes in communication capacity can be evaluated by monitoring parameters such as data transmission rate and channel utilization.

For example, conduct actual file transfer tests and compare the transmission speed and time before and after interference reduction to determine whether communication capacity has been improved.

– System stability

System stability is critical to the normal operation of a communication system. Interference may cause system instability, signal interruption, equipment failure and other problems. By observing the operating stability of the C-band communication system before and after 5G network construction, the effect of interference reduction measures can be evaluated.

Record indicators such as the number of system failures and interruption time, and analyze the changes in system stability before and after interference reduction.

– Compatibility

Evaluating the compatibility of 5G network construction and C-band antennas is also an important aspect. If the interference reduction measures can enable the two to coexist better and achieve good compatibility, then the interference reduction effect can be considered good.

Check whether there is mutual interference between C-band devices and 5G devices, and whether they can work together normally.

3. Technical indicator evaluation

-Interference power measurement

Use professional interference measurement equipment to measure the interference power level around the C-band antenna. Comparing the changes in interference power before and after the implementation of interference reduction measures, the effect of interference reduction can be intuitively evaluated.

Determine the location and number of measurement points, and take the average value of multiple measurements to improve the accuracy of the measurement results.

-Frequency characteristic analysis

Perform frequency characteristic analysis on the signal received by the C-band antenna to observe the frequency distribution of the interference signal. If the interference reduction measures can effectively suppress interference within a specific frequency range, then a significant improvement can be seen in the frequency characteristic analysis.

Use equipment such as a spectrum analyzer to draw a spectrum diagram of the signal and analyze the changes in frequency characteristics before and after interference reduction.

5G base station

Earth station /ground station

Above is the brief introduction of the impact of 5G base stations on C-band earth station antennas. Hope it is helpful for you in the future use. If you are looking for such portable flyaway antenna or any other satellite communication dish, please send Antesky an inquiry via sales@antesky.com. Thanks!