Patent ID: 9088443
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a base station as part of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication network having a plurality of mobile terminals arranged in virtual multiple input, multiple output (“V-MIMO”) communication with the base station, the method comprising: receiving a composite signal in response to transmission of uplink reference signals respectively by the mobile terminals, wherein the received composite signal includes a superposition of signal components corresponding respectively to the uplink reference signals the mobile terminals, wherein the mobile terminals are configured to transmit respective sounding reference signals that are different from the uplink reference signals; for each of the plurality of mobile terminals, determining a corresponding first channel estimate based at least on a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmitted by the mobile terminal; for each of the plurality of mobile terminals, generating an initial estimate for the corresponding signal component based on the corresponding uplink reference signal and the corresponding first channel estimate; for each of the plurality of mobile terminals, computing an improved estimate for the corresponding signal component by removing the initial estimate for one or more other mobile terminals from the received composite signal; and for each of the plurality of mobile terminals, determining a corresponding second channel estimate based on the corresponding improved estimate and the corresponding uplink reference signal.