Method and a device for maintaining the performance quality of a code-division multiple access system in the presence of narrow band interference

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to use of notch filters to minimize the adverse affect of narrow band interference upon the performance of code-division multiple access systems.

[0004] 2. Background Description

[0005] The worldwide market for wireless phone service is experiencing growth at an accelerated rate. It is well known that service reliability and performance are key competitive criteria in the telecommunications industry. Existing and new 800 MHz Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless sites are in need of a solution to address problems caused by narrow band interfering signals, such as those generated by existing analog sites which continue to provide cellular coverage in urban and non-urban areas.

[0006] When deploying a CDMA telecommunications system within a frequency spectrum traditionally allocated to narrow band systems, such as the Analog Mobile Phone System (AMPS) or Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), a frequency block slightly wider than the bandwidth of the CDMA spectrum is normally cleared, in and around the geographic region of the CDMA coverage, to protect the CDMA system from narrow band interference and hence maintain the performance quality of the system. However, it is not always practicable or economical, and in some cases not possible, to clear all the required spectrum. An example where it may be impossible is in country or state boundary regions. Deleterious effects of narrow band interference on CDMA telecommunication systems include: an increase in blocked call and dropped call rates, disruption of the RF power control system, increase in average mobile station-power consumption, reduction of cell capacity, and shrinkage of cell site coverage area. In the worst case, a high level interferer can jam the entire cell or sector, blocking all CDMA communications which would normally be routed through the location.

[0007] The use of adaptive notch filters in communications is not new. U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,366 to Bagdhady describes a frequency demodulation receiver for separating a stronger and weaker signal, and removing the undesired signal. Baghdady's invention employs a first mixer, a bandpass filter with a fixed tuned trap (notch), and a second mixer, to achieve a frequency variable notch filter. This filter bears some similarities to the frequency variable notch filter employed in this invention, however, Baghdady addresses only two FM signals and does not address scanning of a broadband signal for multiple narrowband interferors or tracking such interferors and notching them after acquisition.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,264 to Gutleber describes a system that scans over the spectral range of an intelligence bearing signal and locks onto and tracks the interfering signal. But the interfering signal is excised by generating a replica and subtracting that replica from the intelligence bearing signal.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,517 to Rich describes an improved adaptive notch filter for removing undesired cochannel FM interference, using an approach similar to that employed by Baghdady. The incoming signal is frequency translated to baseband signals and sent through a high pass filter.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,048 to Wade describes a method for excising narrowband interferors in a spread spectrum signal, wherein the incoming signal is digitized and transformed to the time domain and then the amplitude of the signal is discarded and replaced with a normalized value.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,874 to Schilling describes a spread spectrum CDMA communications system for operation within the same geographic region as occupied by a mobile-cellular system, the spectrum of which overlays the operating frequency of the mobile-cellular system. In this invention, the base station employs a comb filter for attenuating predetermined channels of the mobile-cellular system. It does not seek and attenuate narrowband transmissions at arbitrary frequencies and occurrences.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,385 to Long et al. describes a system for simultaneous wideband and narrowband communication, where the narrowband FM signal is embedded in the wideband signal in the base station transmitter circuitry. A notch filter is employed in the receiving circuitry and simultaneous narrowband and wideband wireless communication is supported, i.e. both the narrowband and wideband signals are recovered. Long et al. describes a system for employing both wideband and narrowband signals in an overlapping spectrum. In particular, the system embeds narrowband signals within the wideband frequency band to form a composite wideband signal, and it is important that narrowband and wideband carriers be transmitted from a common transmitter; the receiver in this system takes this composite signal, digitizes, transforms and frequency filters it so as to separate the individual narrowband and wideband signals contained in the composite. The invention provides means for optimizing the capacity of a system using such composite signals. However, Long et al. does not address the problem of conflicting systems, where a wideband system is faced with interference from narrowband signals from other systems which appear at random within the wideband spectrum.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the adverse effects of narrow band interference on CDMA communication systems, by employing an adaptive notch filter and, in wireless telecommunications applications, thereby restoring blocked call and dropped call rates, reducing or eliminating disruption of the RF power control system, avoiding increases in average mobile station power consumption, maintaining cell capacity, and maintaining cell site coverage area.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to prevent a high level interferer from jamming an entire cell or sector, blocking all CDMA communications which would normally be routed through a location.

[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide a more convenient, less complex and less expensive method for overcoming narrow band interference.

[0016] The invention provides a device for suppressing narrow band interference in a wideband telecommunications system. Means are provided for rapidly analyzing the wide frequency band with respect to signal power levels in specified narrow frequency bands and detecting narrow band signal power levels received within the specified bands. There is shown how to derive an average composite wideband power level from signal power levels in the specified narrow bands, and then how to use these signal power levels to derive an adaptive threshold for identifying the narrow band interference. Finally, means are provided for setting one or more notch filters for suppressing the identified narrow band interference.

[0017] In accordance with the invention as applied to wideband CDMA systems, the spectrum used by the wideband CDMA signal (e.g. having a band of 1.23 MHz) is frequency scanned for narrowband analog signals (e.g. having a band of 30 KHz). An identified frequency band is then assigned to a notch filter and excised. A notable feature of the invention is that this process is fast—in contrast to more generic methods of filtering which take more time to be effective—and appears to a telecommunications user as no more than a brief “click” in reception, if at all, and excises the interferer quickly enough to prevent or greatly reduce the probability of the occurance of a blocked or dropped call due to the interference.

[0018] A further notable feature of the invention is that additional notch filters may be added to allow removal of multiple interferors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, responsive to an environment where there are more interferors than notch filters, those interferors with the largest amplitude are assigned to the notch filters.

[0019] The present invention solves or mitigates the problem of narrow band interference in a manner which is less expensive and more convenient than other methods, and in some cases can complement other methods. The most common alternate method is to employ an Adaptive Antenna Array at the base station or mobile station. These systems are expensive and complex, and require installation of tower top antennas and other equipment

[0020] The present invention requires minimal alteration of existing base station equipment and software. Installation is simple and is not time consuming, and may be accomplished without specialized personnel because it merely requires connecting a device in the receiver RF signal path, preferably after the Low Noise Antenna (LNA). The invention dynamically detects, tracks and filters the interfering signals with sufficient speed and fidelity to eliminate or greatly reduce the deleterious effects of narrow band interfering signals on the CDMA link.

[0021] The solution requires the installation of one Adaptive Notch Filter (ANF) unit on at least one of the CDMA receivers located at each cell site. When inserted in an RF signal path the ANF detects narrow band interferors above a threshold level within the CDMA signal, and then automatically acquires and suppresses the interferors. This is achieved by electronically placing a rejection notch at the frequency of the interferors. Multiple interferors may be simultaneously suppressed depending upon the number of notch filter modules installed in the equipment.

[0022] The invention enables continuous scanning of a preset excision band to detect interferors. In the absence of interferors a bypass mode is selected allowing the RF signal to bypass the notch. Upon detection, the interferer is acquired and in accordance with the invention a switch is made to a suppression mode where the interferer is steered through the first notch section and suppressed. Multiple interferors are sorted according to level and the highest level interferors are selected and suppressed, up to the number of cascaded notch filters. Alternatively, an external control line may be used to select the bypass mode so that the signal is allowed to pass the notch section, regardless of interferer content.

[0023] The invention implements a rapid functional test which has sufficient operational alarms and metrics to allow an operator, either locally or remotely through an RS232 interface, to determine the characteristics of the interferors and averaged received composite CDMA power level Another aspect of the invention is modular construction which allows the rapid removal and replacement of functional circuit elements, i.e. power conditioner, scanner, notch filter, and operational alarms and metrics modules. The invention comprises all four modules, but may readily be expanded by the addition of notch filter modules. At a practical level, of course, if there are a large number of interferors and all of them are notched, there is a point at which there is not enough energy left in the desired signal to be decoded. While the disclosed method is specifically adapted for base station interference control, it can also be adapted to the mobile unit.

[0024] Furthermore, the invention is applicable to a variety of environments where a wideband system looks upon narrowband signals as interferors which must be excised in order to preserve the performance quality of the wideband system. The description herein uses Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) as the source of narrowband signals, but the invention applies equally to other comparable narrowband sources such as GSM (the European Global System for Mobile communications).

[0025] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be. better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of the spectrum of a spread spectrum signal.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a graph showing a spread spectrum signal plus a narrowband interferer.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a graph showing a spread spectrum signal after interferer excision.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the operation of a notch filter.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a notch filter module in accordance with the invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a modification of FIG. 5, adapting the invention for use with multiple notch filters where AMPS signals are interferers of CDMA signals.

[0032] While the concept of employing a notch filter in CDMA communications is not new, the present invention employs an interference tracking system with multiple notch filters. The detection and tracking function of the invention is adapted to provide a number of features and attributes which are advantageous. First, the invention employs a single fast acting scanner and detector which detects and records all the narrowband channel received signal levels within the CDMA spectrum, and derives the average composite CDMA power. Using this power measurement, an adaptive threshold is derived for detecting the presence of narrowband interference. This threshold varies as the composite received CDMA power varies. Such an adaptive threshold has an advantage over a fixed one, since a fixed threshold may result in false detection of interference when the composite received CDMA power is relatively high.

[0033] Second, the largest N channels having levels which exceed the adaptive threshold are identified for setting N cascaded notch filters. The detector features hysteresis, where the ON threshold is set higher than the OFF. This reduces the degree of on/off “chattering” of the notch filter switching function. The received signal level of a mobile interferor will fluactuate due to multipath, therefore, to avoid undesirable switching on and off of the associated notch filter, a count of the consecutive number of times the signal goes below the OFF threshold is made, and the notch filter is switched out only when a predetermined number has been exceeded. Third, the entire process of scanning, identifying interfering signals, and setting the notch filters is accomplished within a time period which is less than one IS-95 CDMA data frame period (20 ms). This minimizes the disruption of the power control system by limiting the escalation of mobile power in an attempt to overcome the interference, and eliminates or greatly reduces the probability that a call will be blocked or dropped due to the interference. The ability of the invention to operate within this time period is due in part to the fact that the narrowband interferors are known to occur in specified narrow frequency bands, e.g. the bands associated with AMPS, which therefore can be discretely assigned to notch filters.

[0034] The invention can optionally provide the following useful information to the cellular system manager: time of occurrence, frequency, and duration of interfering signal presence. In addition, periodic records can be made of the composite received CDMA power level. Also, a laptop or personal computer can collect and process channel level data transmitted from the notch filter system and graphically display the CDMA and guard band spectrum, for base station service personnel and engineers. Furthermore, the scanner and detector can be designed to detect the presence of frequency hopped GSM signals and concurrently dehop multiple GSM interferors, transmitting the appropriate frequency hopping sequence to each of the notch filters.

[0035] The filtering function of the invention is adapted to provide several advantageous performance attributes. First, several notch filters can be cascaded to handle the degree of interference experienced. Time to acquire and notch interfering signals is not directly proportional to the number of interfering signals, and in fact increases negligibly with the number of interferors. Second, each notch filter module consists of a first mixer, a local oscillator (LO), a bandpass filter and notch filter at an intermediate frequency (IF), and a second mixer. The effective center frequency of the notch frequency is set by tuning the LO. Third, each notch filter module also features an RF bypass switch to bypass the RF signal when notching is not required, and the notch filter system has a fail-safe bypass RF switch to bypass the system in the event of power loss or other failure modes in the system. Fourth, each notch filter module provides unity gain, and the overall gain of the adaptive notch filter system is unity. This facilitates the modularity of the system, since notch filter modules can be installed or removed, or switched in or out, or the entire adaptive notch filter system can be bypassed, removed, or re-installed, without changing receiver RF gain. Modularity is further facilitated by setting the bypass delay approximately equal to the notch module delay. Fifth, the control module senses the number of and position of notch modules that are present and operational, and adjusts the control algorithm accordingly. Sixth, the total absolute delay in the cascaded notch filter path is limited to a value which does not result in unanticipated hand-offs due to associated increases in mobile to base station distance estimates.

[0036] Optionally, the notch module can demodulate the narrowband FM interferer and use this signal to modulate the notch module LO, thus tracking the interferor. This technique can be used to reduce the complexity of the notch filter design or avoid excessive filtering of the CDMA signal, since the effective filter bandwidth adapts to the spectral width of the interferor. It allows the use of notch. filters of substantially narrower band than the interferer spectrum. This technique is applicable to CDMA overlay on GSM, since the GSM channel is much wider than the AMPS channel (200 kHz vs 30 kHz).

[0037] The spectrum of a spread spectrum signal 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The basic problem addressed by a notch filter is that this signal 10 and a narrow band interferer signal 21 occupy the same band, as shown in FIG. 2. If the strength of the narrow band. interference 21 is such that it exceeds the signal to jamming ratio of the spread spectrum signal 10, it is capable of deteriorating or eliminating any communication being made in the spread spectrum system.

[0038] If on the other hand, the summed signals of FIG. 2 are passed through a notch filter located at the frequency of the narrow band signal 21 (with a resulting notch 31 as shown in FIG. 3) communication is restored, although there will be deterioration of communication to a degree proportional to the amount of energy removed from the spread signal by the notch filter. That energy removal is a residual interference not eliminated by the notch filter.

[0039] Obviously, the interference can occur anywhere in spread spectrum (SS) band, and it is desirable that the notch filter be tuneable, i.e. that the notch filter be locatable at any frequency on the band where there is a interferer. Notch filters tuneable over a wide band while maintaining consistent attenuation characteristics are very difficult, if not impossible to implement. Rather, it is much more feasible to design narrow band notch filters with high Q elements (Xtals, SAWS, HELICAL FILTERS, etc.) at particular frequencies.

[0040] Turning now to FIG. 4, the tuning action required is achieved by sweeping the spread spectrum signal past the fixed notch and subsequently stopping this sweep when the interfering signal is detected The sweeping action is obtained through the use of a voltage controlled local oscillator 41 and down converter 42. The SS signal is at an intermediate frequency where it is convenient and economical to realise the notch filter 43. After removal of the interferer by the notch filter 43, the resulting “cleaned up” SS signal is returned to its original frequency by the up converter 45 using LO 41.

[0041] The addition of a bandpass filter 44 centered at the IF and somewhat greater in bandwidth than the sweep range of the VCO 41 and the bandwidth of the SS signal is used to select the lower sideband of the down conversion process. Similarly, another band pass filter 46 is used at the output of the up converter to again select the lower sideband of the mixing process. As may be readily seen, the upper sidebands of the respective conversions may also be chosen, as can a choice of F_vco<F_c, with equally valid results. The particular selection of F_vco>F_ceases the realisation of the filtering requirements.

[0042] As yet missing from the process is of course the means by which the VCO sweep is halted at the correct frequency that places the interferer in the notch filter. This function is provided by an adaptation of a signal scanning or searching receiver 57 as shown in FIG. 5. This scanning receiver is comprised of a narrow band, single conversion FM detector with a received signal strength indicator (RSSI)53. The FM detector is used to receive narrowband signals at exactly the same frequency as that of the notch filter. Thus, when an interfering signal is present it is detected and its amplitude level is determined by the RSSI voltage. The RSSI voltage 53 is subsequently compared to some preset threshold 54. The resultant comparator output 52 is used to halt the sweep driving the VCO 41. Simple sample and hold circuitry 55 clamps the DC value of the sawtooth generator 56 sweeping the VCO 41 and correspondingly sets the VCO 41 at the appropriate frequency to receive the interfering signal; and thereby the VCO 41 sets the effective notch filter to excise the interfering signal from the SS signal. Inclusion of discriminator 57 in the scanner output allows an AFC (automatic frequency control) loop 58 to be closed, including the VCO 41. This maintains the notch position as long as the jamming is present. The loop parameters when appropriately chosen also allow the notching action to track FM signal deviations.

[0043] A realisation of the overall circuit appears as in FIG. 5, which can be considered as a module for the removal of one narrow band interferer. Note that the bypass switch 51 has been added to preclude any signal deterioration when no jamming is present. This is controlled by the opposite state to the activated comparator 52. Up to a reasonable point, these modules can be cascaded to remove a number of interferors. This “reasonable point” is related to the bandwidth of the notch filter (i.e. the amount of signal energy removed from the spread spectrum increases with the addition of each notch) and the practical problems of intermodulation products that are generated with a large number of interferors.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a modification of FIG. 5, intended for use in cellular base stations, located in areas where AMPS signals are received and co-located in the band of CDMA signals. The individual notch modules 61 perform the same function as described previously, however they do not contain an FM receiver or a swept VCO. This detection function is now handled in a scanning FM receiver 62. It will be noted that removal of the receiver from each of the notch modules does not permit a frequency tracking function to be obtained. However, because the parameters of the potential interferors (AMPS) are known in both frequency and bandwidth, this capability is not required.

[0045] In FIG. 6, the direct digital synthesiser (DDS) local oscillator 63 repeatedly tunes the narrow band FM receiver 62 through the CDIAA band and in AMPS channel steps (i.e. 30 KHz), each step being generated by a digital word sent to the DDS from a microcontroller 64. The RSSI output 65 of the FM receiver provides a voltage proportional to the power (in dB) in each of the signal channels. This RSSI voltage is analogue to digital converted (at A/D Converter block 66) and stored for processing in microcontroller 64. The RRSI level is compared to the notch filter ON threshold, and if it exceeds it, a notch filter is assigned to the channel, if one is available. If all notch filters are in use, the RSSI level is compared to the lowest level of the notched interferors, and if it exceeds this value, the frequency of this notch will be changed to the new channel. The notch filter center frequency is modified by sending a control word to a phase lock loop (PLL) 67 that sets up the proper LO frequency for the down and up conversions in each notch module. This LO generated by the PLL 67 through the information from the microprocessor 64, places the notch at the appropriate frequency to excise the AMPS channel

[0046] A prioritising function, in the microcontroller 64 software, selects those signals, for elimination by the notch modules 61, which are the strongest and capable of doing the most damage to the composite CDMA signal. Although the number of notch modules 61 which can be used is limited only by the practical considerations of economics and signal path distortions, the number should be matched statistically to the potential threat. The weaker signals that are not notched, if they are not contained by the jamming margin of the CDMA signal, will be ameliorated by the power control link between the base station and the mobile.

[0047] Here the base station circuits determine an increase in errors of the received signal and send a command signal to the mobile transmitter to increase its power.

[0048] The microprocessor 64, in addition to its duties for the notching actions, senses equipment faults enabling a bypass mode should a fault occur. Also, provided is a built in test equipment (BITE) function and a means of averaging the RSSI outputs over the whole CDMA spectrum to assess the received power level of the latter. The data thus obtained is used for threat analysis, signal analysis and housekeeping functions. These are made available locally at the base station and remotely.

[0049] While the invention has been described in terms of a single preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.