Hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback in massive MIMO systems

Time, frequency and spatial processing parameters for communications between a base station and a mobile station are selected by transmitting synchronization signals in multiple slices of a wireless transmission sector for the base station, and receiving feedback from the mobile station of at least one preferred slice of the multiple slices. In response to selection of one of the slices as an active slice for communications between the base station and the mobile station, reference signals are transmitted in the selected active slice using a corresponding selected precoder and/or codebook. The mobile station estimates and feeds back channel state information (CSI) based on those reference signals, and the CSI is then employed to determine communication parameters for communications between the base station and mobile station that are specific to the mobile station.

This application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/624,841, filed Apr. 16, 2012, entitled “HIERARCHICAL CHANNEL SOUNDING AND CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION FEEDBACK IN MASSIVE MIMO SYSTEMS.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to channel state information feedback in wireless mobile communication systems and, more specifically, to hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback in massive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication systems.

BACKGROUND

One of the key challenges for improving the capacity of wireless communications systems with large numbers of transmitter and/or receiver antennae is the large amount of channel state information that must be acquired. For example, with a 256-element base station antenna array and a 64-element mobile station antenna array, the channel matrix between the two devices has a dimension of 256×64, which would be practically impossible to estimate if channel estimation were performed on a per element basis.

There is, therefore, a need in the art to develop improved techniques for acquiring channel state information in massive MIMO systems with large numbers of transmitter and receiver antennas.

SUMMARY

Time, frequency and spatial processing parameters for communications between a base station and a mobile station are selected by transmitting synchronization signals in multiple slices of a wireless transmission sector for the base station, and receiving feedback from the mobile station of at least one preferred slice of the multiple slices. In response to selection of one of the slices as an active slice for communications between the base station and the mobile station, reference signals are transmitted in the selected active slice using a corresponding selected precoder and/or codebook. The mobile station estimates and feeds back channel state information (CSI) based on those reference signals, and the CSI is then employed to determine communication parameters for communications between the base station and mobile station that are specific to the mobile station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To satisfy the explosive growth of mobile (wireless) broadband data traffic, next generation wireless communication systems (i.e., 5thGeneration or “5G”) need to provide 100 to 1,000 times more capacity than existing 4thGeneration (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, mobile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) Evolution, etc. Two technologies projected to provide the needed magnitude of capacity improvement are massive MIMO transmission and exploitation of millimeter (mm) wavelength (mm-wave) mobile broadband frequencies (e.g., wavelengths of between 1 mm and 100 mm, corresponding to frequencies of between 3 and 300 gigaHertz (GHz)). The former is described in T. L. Marzetta, “Non-cooperative Cellular Wireless with Unlimited Number of Base Station Antennas,”IEEE Trans. Wireless Communication, vol. 9, no. 11, pp. 3590-3600, November 2010, and the latter in Zhouyue Pi & Farooq Khan, “An Introduction to Millimeter-Wave Mobile Broadband Systems,”IEEE Communications Magazine, June 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. These two technologies are complementary since higher communication frequencies allow for smaller antennas in base stations and mobile stations, which in turn allow greater numbers of antennas in the same area. For example, for a mm-wave mobile communication system deployed in 6 GHz, the wavelength is 5 centimeters (cm) and the size of a half-wavelength dipole antenna is 2.5 cm, making possible a 256-element antenna array at the base station with the total array size less than 40 cm×40 cm and a 16-element antenna array at the mobile station with a total array size of less than 10 cm×10 cm. Further up the spectrum, it becomes possible to put thousands of antennas in a base station and hundreds of antennas in a mobile station, all in practical form factors for mobile communication devices.

Spatial signal processing technologies with large numbers of antennas, including beamforming (BF), spatial division multiple access (SDMA), and massive MIMO are key to enabling mm-wave mobile broadband communication and drastic performance improvements beyond 4G. With large numbers of antennas at base stations and mobile stations, significant transmitter and receiver BF gain can be achieved, overcoming the path loss disadvantage of high frequency propagation and suppressing unwanted interference. Transmitter and receiver BF with large numbers of antennas can achieve wide area coverage and high spectral efficiency for mm-wave mobile communication, with good spatial separation achieved between links from the same base station to different mobile stations in the downlink, and between links from different mobile stations to the same base station in the uplink. Such spatial separation allows a large degree of freedom in SDMA, which in turn significantly improves system capacity. When the communication channel between a base station and a mobile station becomes sufficiently scattered, a large degree of freedom can also be achieved on the point-to-point communications between the base station and the mobile station, in which case MIMO communication with large rank can be achieved to significantly boost the spectral efficiency for the point-to-point communication links.

As noted above, one of the key challenges for efficient implementation of BF/SDMA/MIMO with large numbers of transmitter and/or receiver antennas is the large amount of channel state information that must be acquired. In accordance with the present disclosure, channel sounding signals (or reference signals) are transmitted and channel state information is estimated and reported in massive MIMO systems with large number of antennas.

As used herein, BF, SDMA, and MIMO are generally referred to collectively as members of the category “spatial processing.” For the purpose of illustration, many embodiments are described using transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) BF as examples. However, those embodiments are equally applicable to cases where SDMA and/or MIMO are used (or also used) as spatial processing techniques.

FIG. 1is a high level diagram illustrating an exemplary massive MIMO wireless network implementing hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless network100illustrated inFIG. 1is provided solely for purposes of explaining the subject matter of the present disclosure, and is not intended to suggest any limitation regarding the applicability of that subject matter. Other wireless networks may employ the subject matter depicted in the drawings and described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that the complete structure and operation of a wireless network and the components thereof are depicted in the drawings and described therein. Instead, for simplicity and clarity, only so much of the structure and operation of the wireless network and the components thereof as are unique to the present disclosure or necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure are depicted and described.

In the illustrated embodiment, wireless network100includes a base station (BS)101, BS102, and BS103. Depending on the network type, other well-known terms may be used instead of “base station,” such as “Evolved Node B” (eNB) or “access point” (AP). For simplicity and clarity, the term “base station” will be used herein to refer to the network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote (mobile or fixed) terminals.

The BS101communicates with BS102and BS103via network130operating according to a standardized protocol (e.g., X2 protocol), via a proprietary protocol, or preferably via Internet protocol (IP). IP network130may include any IP-based network or a combination thereof, such as the Internet, a proprietary IP network, or another data network.

The BS102provides wireless broadband access to a first plurality of mobile stations (MSs) within coverage area120of BS102. In the example illustrated, the first plurality of MSs includes MS111, which may be located in a small business; MS112, which may be located in an enterprise; MS113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot; MS114, which may be located in a first residence; MS115, which may be located in a second residence; and MS116, which may be a mobile device, such as a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless-enabled tablet, or the like. For simplicity and clarity, the term “mobile station” or “MS” is used herein to designate any remote wireless equipment that wirelessly accesses or communicates with a BS, whether the MS is a mobile device (e.g., cell phone, wireless-enabled tablet or laptop, etc.) or is normally considered a stationary device (e.g., desktop personal computer, wireless television receiver, etc.). In other systems, other well-known terms may be used instead of “mobile station,” such as “user equipment” (UE), “subscriber station” (SS), “remote terminal” (RT), “wireless terminal” (WT), and the like.

The BS103provides wireless broadband access to a second plurality of MSs within coverage area125of BS103. The second plurality of MSs includes MS115and MS116. In an exemplary embodiment, BSs101-103communicate with each other and with MSs111-116using millimeter wave wireless communications. While only six MSs are depicted inFIG. 1, it will be understood that wireless network100may provide wireless broadband access to additional MSs.

FIG. 1Ais a high level block diagram illustrating further details relating to components within the massive MIMO wireless communication system ofFIG. 1. The wireless communication system component portions150collectively depicted inFIG. 1Ais a portion of the wireless network100ofFIG. 1. As understood by those skilled in the art, each BS101-103and each MS111-116includes an array of antenna or antenna elements, a transmitter and a receiver each separately coupled to the antenna to transmit or receive radio frequency signals, encoding and modulation circuitry within the transmitter chain coupled to the transmitter and demodulation and decoding circuitry within the receiver chain coupled to the receiver, and a programmable processor or controller including and/or connected to memory and coupled to the transmitter and receiver chains for controlling operation of the respective BS or MS.

In the example ofFIG. 1A, wireless communication is effected by at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter chain151coupled to an array of antenna or antenna elements152and controlled by a processor (not shown) and at least one RF receiver chain153coupled to an array of antenna or antenna elements154and also controlled by a processor (also not shown). In the exemplary embodiment, the transmitter chain151forms part of one of BSs101-103and the receiver chain153forms part of one of the MSs111-116in the exemplary embodiment. However, as understood by those skilled in the art, each BS101-103and each MS111-116includes both a transmitter and a receiver each separately coupled to the respective antenna array to transmit or receive radio frequency signals over the channel therebetween, such that the transmitter chain151may alternatively be disposed within one of the MSs111-116and the receiver chain152may alternatively be disposed within one of the BSs101-103.

It should be noted that each BS101-103and each MS111-116may have multiple instances of duplicative RF transmitter and receiver chains151and153each coupled to one or more processor(s) operating cooperatively and each separately processing signals for transmission on antenna array152or signals received on antenna array154. Four transmitter and receiver chains are depicted inFIG. 1A, although a given communications device (one of BSs101-103or MSs111-116) may have either more or fewer such RF chains. The presence of multiple RF chains may be exploited in connection with the present disclosure in the manner discussed in further detail below.

In the example depicted, the transmitter chain151includes encoding and modulation circuitry comprising channel encoder155receiving and encoding data for transmission, an interleaver156coupled to the channel encoder155, a modulator157coupled to the interleaver156, and a demultiplexer158coupled to the modulator157and antenna elements152. In the example depicted, the receiver chain153includes demodulation and decoding circuitry and comprising a demodulator159coupled to the antenna elements154, a deinterleaver160coupled to the demodulator159and a channel decoder161coupled to the deinterleaver160. In addition, transmitter chain151and receiver chain152may each be coupled to or include a programmable processor or controller (not shown) including and/or connected to memory (also not shown) and controlling operation of the respective BS or MS. Using such components, synchronization signals are transmitted by a BS and received by an MS in the manner described in further detail below.

FIG. 2diagrammatically illustrates some spatial processing technologies that may be employed during hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback within a massive MIMO wireless network according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example shown inFIG. 2, the cell201has three sectors each covering 120° of the azimuth, with four 30° slices within each sector, where a “slice” is defined as the coverage area of a set of transmitter spatial processing schemes within a sector. In MIMO systems with large number of antennas, Tx BF and Rx BF are frequently used to improve desired signal strength and reduce unwanted interference. Both the base station and the mobile station can use BF, with different half-power beam widths (HPBWs). For example, for a base station to transmit a control channel message to UEs in a slice, a coarse Tx BF precoder with 30° HPBW can be used so that the resulting transmission covers the whole slice202a. For a base station to transmit to a particular mobile station, a fine Tx BF precoder with smaller HPBW can be used for increased BF gain and reduced interference to other UEs.

Coarse Tx BF has many benefits. Signals202a,202b,202c,202d,202eand202fprecoded using coarse Tx BF precoders are easy to acquire with only a small amount of reference signal overhead. Once identified, the base station can use the respective coarse Tx BF precoder to communicate to a mobile station within the coverage area (preferably a portion of a slice) for a long period of time, since the coverage of a coarse Tx BF precoder signal is generally wide and generally a mobile station takes a long time to move out of the coverage are of a coarse Tx BF precoder signal. However, due to the large HPBW, coarse Tx BF has small Tx BF gain, which means a reduced link budget or data rate and increased interference to other users, slices or sectors. For such reasons, it is generally preferred to use coarse Tx BF precoders for system broadcast, control channel transmission, and data channel communication to high mobility users.

On the other hand, signals203a,203b,203cand203dprecoded using fine Tx BF precoders have large Tx BF gain and can thus increase the desired signal strength and reduce interference significantly, which leads to user throughput and system capacity improvement. However, sophisticated channel state information (CSI) acquisition procedures with extensive reference signal overhead are required to obtain the necessary channel state information for accurate selection or generation of fine Tx BF precoders. Fine Tx BF precoders are also sensitive to channel estimation error and, due to the small HPBW, communications over these precoders are subject to frequent switching since mobile stations easily move out of the coverage of a fine Tx BF precoder. In some situations, even the short-term, small-scale fading (i.e., fast fading) of the channel can cause fine Tx BF precoder change. For such reasons, fine Tx BF precoders are generally preferred for use in data channel communication to low mobility users where closed-loop BF can be established.

Similarly, coarse Rx BF reception patterns204a,204band204cand fine Rx BF reception patterns205aand205bcan be employed at the mobile station side, depending on the channel condition, the signals or channels to be carried, and mobility.

In the illustration ofFIG. 2, coarse Tx BF, fine Tx BF, coarse Rx BF, and fine Rx BF are described and analyzed for the downlink. Similar analysis can be obtained for coarse and fine Tx and Rx BF in the uplink. In addition, there can also be multiple levels of coarse and fine precoders for Tx and Rx BF.

With hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback schemes, the channel state information in a large dimensional channel matrix can be acquired and reported via multiple stages with the initial stages focusing on sounding and feedback of long-term, large-scale CSI and the latter stages focusing on sounding and feedback of short-term, small-scale CSI. Once the long-term and large-scale CSI is acquired, coarse Tx and Rx BF can be established, which improves the performance of communications for certain channels, e.g., packet data control channels. Additionally, the CSI sounding signals (or reference signals) and the codebook for short-term and small-scale CSI can be dependent on the long-term and large-scale CSI. As shown inFIG. 2, a different Tx BF codebook for fine Tx BF can be selected based on the coarse Tx BF (or long-term and large-scale CSI). Different Rx BF codebooks for fine Rx BF can be selected based on the coarse Rx BF (or long-term and large-scale CSI).

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary timing for hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback within a massive MIMO wireless network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For simplicity, the hierarchical channel sounding and CSI feedback are illustrated using examples with two-stage CSI feedback, with the first stage corresponding to coarse Tx and Rx BF based on long-term and large-scale CSI, and the second stage corresponding to fine Tx and Rx BF based on short-term and small-scale CSI. In some examples, the coarse Tx BF in the downlink is further simplified to selecting a preferred or active slice in a sector.

A plurality of sounding signals or reference signals are transmitted to aid the acquisition of CSI in multiple stages. One example is depicted inFIG. 3, which illustrates how CSI can be acquired in the downlink of a massive MIMO system with a large number of transmitter or receiver antennas. The signal sequence300begins with the base station transmitting synchronization (sync) signals (sequence portion301), preferably in a periodic fashion. The mobile station acquires the sync signals from at least one base station, and should preferably acquire time and frequency synchronization with the at least one base station. In a multi-base station environment, the mobile station should also identify the most preferred base station (or base stations) for communication. In addition, the base station and mobile station can also identify long-term and large-scale transmitter and receiver side spatial information, such as the angle of departure (AoD) information at the base station and the angle of arrival (AoA) information at the mobile station. Such spatial information is typically location and environment dependent, and therefore does not change rapidly due to short-term and small-scale fading.

The remaining portions ofFIG. 3will be explained in conjunction withFIGS. 4A-4B and 5-9.FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate time-frequency-space multiplexing of synchronization signals in connection with hierarchical channel sounding and channel state information feedback within a massive MIMO wireless network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment of the disclosure, to allow the base station and/or the mobile station to acquire long-term large-scale spatial information, the base station may transmit multiple sync signals, with each sync signal being spatially processed by a different transmitter spatial processing scheme. For example, the base station may transmit multiple sync signals via multiple antennas, or via multiple angle of departures, or using multiple transmitter BF precoders. Each sync signal may carry an identification of the associated transmitter spatial processing scheme, e.g., antenna ID, transmitter BF precoder ID, or any kind of signature to identify the associated sync signals. Each sync signal may also carry the associated cell index, and the index of the time and frequency resources on which the sync signal is transmitted. An example of carrying the Cell Index, Time Index, Frequency Index, and Spatial Index is shown inFIG. 4B, in which those variables are received as inputs to selection of a sync sequence and generation of the sync signal (block401). In this example, these indices are carried implicitly by selecting different sync sequences and/or generating different sync signals for different values of the indices. These multiple copies of sync signals can be multiplexed in different time symbols, or different frequency subcarriers, or different spatial directions.

One example of how base station transmits (and how mobile station receives) sync signals is shown inFIG. 4A. As illustrated, the base station transmits multiple sync signals in time, frequency, and space domains. Here the space domain can be interpreted as different antennas, or different BF precoders, or different angles of departure, or different coverage area (“slices”) within a cell or sector. For illustration purpose, different sync signals are presumably transmitted in different slices in a sector: Sync A, Sync B, Sync E and Sync F in Slice 0, Sync C, Sync D, Sync G and Sync H in Slice 1, etc. For convenience, we use the notation of (time, frequency, space) triplets to describe the time-frequency resource allocation and the associated spatial processing for a signal. Thus, in this example, base station transmits Sync A using (Slot 0, Subband 0, Slice 0), transmits Sync B using (Slot 0, Subband 1, Slice 0), transmits Sync C using (Slot 0, Subband 0, Slice 1), transmits Sync D using (Slot 0, Subband 1, Slice 1), transmits Sync E using (Slot 1, Subband 0, Slice 0), transmits Sync F using (Slot 1, Subband 1, Slice 0), transmits Sync G using (Slot 1, Subband 0, Slice 1), and transmits Sync H using (Slot 1, Subband 1, Slice 1). In order to distinguish the sync signals from different cells (or sectors) at different times, frequencies, or slices, the sync sequence selection or sync signal generation can be dependent on some or all of cell index, time index, frequency index, and spatial index, as shown inFIG. 4B. For example, to distinguish sync signals for different slices, different sync sequences may be selected for the different slices; and to distinguish sync signals for different cells, different sync sequences may be selected for each cell. After the sync signals are generated, the sync signals are mapped to the corresponding time frequency resources (block402) and are subject to the corresponding spatial processing (block403) before being transmitted (block404).

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile station can also attempt to receive the sync signal using different receiver spatial processing schemes. For example, the mobile station may attempt to receive the sync signals via multiple receiver antennas, or via multiple angle of arrivals, or using multiple receiver BF precoders. Upon successful detection of the sync signals from at least one base station, the mobile station can identify at least one preferred transmitter spatial processing scheme (e.g., at least one preferred long-term large-scale Tx BF precoder), and at least one preferred receiver spatial processing scheme (e.g., at least one preferred long-term large-scale Rx BF precoder). The identification of these preferred base stations for a mobile station, and the associated preferred long-term large-scale transmitter and receiver spatial processing, can greatly help the base station and the mobile station narrow down the space for further sounding and estimation of short-term small-scale channel state information. At least one (long-term large-scale BS Tx Spatial Processing, long-term large-scale MS Rx Spatial Processing) pair can be identified as the preferred spatial processing scheme for the link between the base station and the mobile station. The mobile station can report the detected at least one base station, the identified at least one preferred long-term large-scale transmitter spatial processing, and the identified at least one preferred long-term large-scale receiver spatial processing back to the network. The network, which includes the at least one preferred base station, determines at least one active transmitter (or active slice) spatial processing scheme for communications with the MS. Preferably, the at least one active transmitter (or active slice) spatial processing scheme should be selected from the Tx BF schemes of the at least one preferred (Tx BF, Rx BF) pair that is indicated by the MS. The BS should also signal the selected at least one active transmitter (or active slice) spatial processing scheme to the MS, among other spatial processing configuration parameters.

FIG. 5illustrates one example of the BS and MS operation for acquiring long-term large-scale channel state information via sync signals according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary process500for acquiring long-term, large-scale spatial CSI information using sync signals begins with the base station(s) transmitting sync signals with multiple Tx precoders (step501). The MS receives the transmitted sync signals with multiple Rx precoders (step502), identifies the preferred Tx BF, Rx BF pair(s) for at least one of the base stations that transmitted sync signals (step503), and feeds back at least one of the identified preferred, Tx BF, Rx BF pair(s) to the at least one preferred base station (step504). The mobile station may identify and feedback more than one preferred Tx BF, Rx BF pair (with an indication of an order of preference, such as an order of listing) for each base station that transmitted sync signals detected by the MS, and may identify and feedback preferred Tx BF, Rx BF pair(s) for more than one base station that transmitted sync signals detected by the MS (again, with some indication of an order of preference, such as an order of listing). In identifying “preferred” Tx BF, Rx BF pair(s), the MS may employ threshold criteria, which may differ for different base stations that transmitted sync signals detected by the MS, or may identify only a predetermined total number of preferred Tx BF, Rx BF pair(s), either per base station or for all of the base stations in the aggregate. The preferred base station(s) determine at least one active Tx BF scheme (or active slice) for the MS (step505), and signal(s) the at least one active Tx BF scheme (or active slice) to the MS (step506).

Referring back toFIG. 3, in CSI acquisition steps subsequent to the sequence portion301discussed above, the base station selects short-term small-scale transmitter beamforming precoders (or other transmitter spatial processing schemes) that are strongly correlated with the long-term large-scale Tx BF precoders determined based upon the previously transmitted signals (e.g., sequence301in this example), and the mobile station selects short-term small-scale Rx BF precoders (or other receiver spatial process schemes) that are strongly correlated with the long-term large-scale Rx BF precoders determined in earlier steps (e.g., based upon sequence301in this example). In other words, the reference signals, and the search space for short-term small-scale transmitter spatial processing schemes (e.g., the transmitter BF/SDMA/MIMO codebook), and the search space for short-term small-scale receiver spatial processing schemes (e.g., the receiver BF/SDMA/MIMO codebook), and the MS feedback of the short-term small-scale transmitter and/or receiver spatial processing schemes, can be dependent on the long-term large-scale transmitter and receiver spatial processing schemes determined earlier.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the dependency can be manifested as choosing a different transmitter BF/SDMA/MIMO codebook (or a different set of transmitter BF/SDMA/MIMO precoders) for different long-term, large-scale transmitter spatial processing schemes, when selected.

The different codebooks may be derived in many ways. For instance, assuming that the base station and the mobile station select a first slice as the preferred slice for the mobile station, the base station and the mobile station can select a first codebook as the codebook for feedback of short-term small-scale CSI. If the base station and the mobile station alternatively select a second slice as the preferred slice for the mobile station, the base station and the mobile station can select a second codebook for the second slice as the codebook for feedback of short-term small-scale CSI. The selection of the codebook for short-term small-scale CSI feedback can be explicitly signaled between the base station and the mobile station. For example, the base station may send a message to a mobile station to assign a codebook for the mobile station to use for CSI feedback. Alternatively, a slice-to-codebook mapping can be established in advance, such that once the preferred slice for a mobile station is selected, both the base station and the mobile station know what codebook should be used for short-term small-scale CSI feedback according to the slice-to-codebook mapping.

Similarly, the base station and the mobile station may select a different subset in a codebook subset for different slices, when selected. The selection of the subset can be signaled explicitly, or can be established via a slice-to-subset mapping established in advance.

The base station and the mobile station may choose a different method of transformation (e.g., a transformation matrix) for a different slice. The selection of the transformation can be signaled explicitly, or can be established via a slice-to-transformation mapping.

The base station and the mobile station may choose a different method of construction for a slice or for different slices among a plurality of slices. The selection of the codebook construction can be signaled explicitly, or can be established via a slice-to-construction mapping.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the dependency can be manifested as choosing a different receiver BF/SDMA/MIMO codebook (or a different set of receiver BF/SDMA/MIMO precoders) for a different long-term large-scale receiver spatial processing scheme (e.g., determined in step201). Like the different transmitter codebook, the different receiver codebook can be derived in many ways, e.g., using codebook selection, or codebook subset selection, or codebook transformation, or codebook construction. And the selection of the codebook, or codebook subset, or codebook transformation, or codebook construction can be signaled explicitly from the base station to the mobile station (or vice versa), or be established as an implicit mapping from the selected long-term large-scale receiver spatial processing scheme.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the dependency can also be manifested as mapping an index of a MS feedback field to different transmitter BF/SDMA/MIMO precoders for different long-term large-scale transmitter spatial processing scheme (e.g., as determined based upon sequence301). For example, if a mobile station selects a first slice as the active slice for that mobile station at a current location under current conditions, a first index of a MS feedback field can be mapped to a first Tx precoder; however if the mobile station instead selects a second slice as the active slice, the first index of the MS feedback field can be mapped to a second Tx precoder. The different index-to-precoder mapping can be either signaled explicitly, or may be determined implicitly according to the selected long-term large-scale transmitter spatial processing scheme.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the dependency can also be manifested as mapping an index of a MS feedback field to different receiver BF/SDMA/MIMO precoders for different long-term large-scale receiver spatial processing scheme (e.g., as determined based upon sequence301). For example, if a mobile station selects a first wide-beam receiver precoder as the preferred long-term large-scale receiver precoder for that mobile station at a current location under current conditions, a first index of a MS feedback field can be mapped to a first Rx precoder; however if the mobile station instead selects a second wide-beam receiver precoder as the preferred long-term large-scale receiver precoder, the first index of the MS feedback field can be mapped to a second Rx precoder. The different index-to-precoder mapping can be either signaled explicitly, or may be determined implicitly according to the selected long-term large-scale receiver spatial processing scheme.

FIG. 6is a process flow diagram of an example of base station and mobile station operation with short-term CSI feedback depending on long-term CSI feedback according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the long-term large-scale CSI is represented by the active slice of a mobile station. Depending on which slice is active for a mobile station, the mobile station may use different codebooks for its CSI feedback. Thus the process600begins with the BS transmitting sync signals in multiple slices (step601), which are received in multiple slices by the MS (step602). The MS identifies at least one preferred slice (step603) and feeds back the identity of the at least one preferred slice to the BS (step604). Upon receiving the MS feedback of the at least one preferred slice from the MS (step605), the BS and MS negotiate at least one actual slice to be active for the MS, and select the CSI feedback codebook for the MS based on the selected at least one active slice and the MS feedback (step606).

Referring back toFIG. 3, the base station can transmit sector-level common reference signals (sector-level CRS) in signal sequence302. These sector-level CRS can be transmitted via multiple antennas or using multiple transmitter BF precoders. These sector-level CRS can be multiplexed in time, frequency, and space. Different sequences can be used for different sector-level CRS for identification, interference randomization and suppression purposes. As a result, sector-level CSI or sub-sector-level CSI can be acquired using these reference signals. The base station may broadcast certain common control signals (e.g., Broadcast Control Channel) to the whole sector together with the sector-level CRS. The mobile stations can use the sector-level CRS to estimate the channel for demodulation of these common control signals. At the same time, the mobile station receiving the sector-level CRS signals can use these sector-level CRS to improve the accuracy and granularity of CSI for feedback purpose. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the mobile station utilizes the sector-level CRS to improve the sector-level and sub-sector-level spatial CSI. If the sector-level CRS provides sufficient coverage and density in both time and frequency, higher resolution and accuracy of the CSI in time and frequency (e.g., sub-band CSI feedback for closed-loop BF/SDMA/MIMO operation) can also be obtained.

In signal sequence302, the base station can also transmit sector-level CSI reference signals (sector-level CSI-RS). These sector-level CSI-RS can be transmitted via multiple antennas or using multiple transmitter BF precoders. These sector-level CSI-RS can be multiplexed in time, frequency, and space. Different sequences can be used for different sector-level CSI-RS for identification, interference randomization, and interference suppression purposes. Compared with sector-level CRS, the sector-level CSI-RS received by the MS primarily serve the purpose of assisting CSI estimation at the mobile station for CSI feedback. Therefore, the time-frequency density (and thus the overhead) of the sector-level CSI-RS can be made lower than that of the sector-level CRS. On the other hand, in order to improve the spatial resolution of the sector-level CSI-RS in a MIMO system with large number of transmitter and receiver antennas, the sector-level CSI-RS may provide higher spatial sounding capability than the sector-level CRS. For example, the base station can transmit the sector-level CSI-RS using a larger number of transmitter BF precoders than the number of transmitter BF precoders used to transmit sector-level CRS. In order to achieve higher spatial sounding capability, the transmitter BF precoders for sector-level CSI-RS should also have higher BF gain, and thus smaller half-power beam width (HPBW), than the transmitter BF precoders for sector-level CRS. The mobile station can use these sector-level CSI-RS to improve the accuracy and granularity of CSI estimation for CSI feedback. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the mobile station utilizes the sector-level CSI-RS to improve the sector-level and sub-sector-level spatial CSI. If the sector-level CSI-RS provide sufficient coverage and density in both time and frequency domain, higher resolution and accuracy of the CSI in time and frequency (e.g., sub-band CSI feedback for closed-loop BF/SDMA/MIMO operation) can also be obtained.

In signal sequence303, the base station can transmit slice-level CRS (step607). Like the sector-level CRS, these slice-level CRS can be transmitted via multiple antennas or using multiple transmitter BF precoders. These slice-level CRS can be multiplexed in time, frequency, and space. Different sequences can be used for different slice-level CRS for identification, interference randomization, and interference suppression purposes. As a result, slice-level CSI or sub-slice level CSI can be acquired using these reference signals (step608). Once the BS receives CSI feedback from the MS (step610), the BS transmits scheduling grants and data packets to the MS based on the feedback (steps611and612). Different from the sector-level CRS, the slice-level CRS of a slice are transmitted using transmitter BF precoders that have strong spatial correlation with the slice. In other words, the slice-level CRS of a slice stay “within” or “close to” the spatial coverage of a slice in a sector. As such, the interference between a first slice-level CRS in a first slice of a sector and a second slice-level CRS in a second slice of that sector is likely to be small.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a base station can spatially multiplex the slice-level CRS of different slices in the same time and frequency resources. Different sequences should be used for these reference signals to achieve identification, interference randomization, and interference suppression. The base station may broadcast certain common control signals (e.g., Packet Data Control Channel) to the whole slice together with the slice-level CRS. The mobile stations can use the slice-level CRS to estimate the channel for demodulation of these common control signals. At the same time, the mobile station can use these slice-level CRS to improve the accuracy and granularity of CSI for feedback purpose (step608). In the example shown inFIG. 3, the mobile station utilizes the slice-level CRS to improve the slice-level and sub-slice-level spatial CSI. If the slice-level CRS provides sufficient coverage and density in both time and frequency, higher resolution and accuracy of the CSI in time and frequency (e.g., sub-band CSI feedback for closed-loop BF/SDMA/MIMO operation) can also be obtained.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration of slice-level CRS can be dynamically adjusted. For example, base station may turn off the slice-level CRS of a slice if there is no mobile station in connected state currently located in that slice. The base station may subsequently turn on the slice-level CRS of a slice if at least one mobile station in the connected state enters into that slice. More generally, the base station can dynamically configure the density of slice-level CRS of a slice depending on the load in that slice. Upon reconfiguring the slice-level CRS, the base station should transmit a message to the mobile stations in the slice to inform those mobile stations of the change. The message can be either a broadcast message or a uni-cast message. Upon receiving the message of slice-level CRS configuration, each mobile station should reconfigure its CSI channel estimator to utilize the new configuration of slice-level CRS for CSI channel estimation purposes.

In signal sequence303, the base station can also transmit slice-level CSI-RS (also step607). Like the sector-level CSI-RS, these slice-level CSI-RS can be transmitted via multiple antennas or using multiple transmitter BF precoders. These slice-level CSI-RS can be multiplexed in time, frequency, and space. Different sequences can be used for different slice-level CSI-RS for identification, interference randomization and interference suppression purposes. As a result, slice-level CSI or sub-slice level CSI can be acquired using these reference signals (step608).

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the slice-level CSI-RS of a slice are transmitted using transmitter BF precoders that have strong spatial correlation with the slice. In other words, the slice-level CSI-RS of a slice stay “within” or “close to” the spatial coverage of a slice in a sector. As such, the interference between a first slice-level CSI-RS in a first slice of a sector and a second slice-level CSI-RS in a second slice of that sector is likely to be small.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a base station spatially multiplexes the slice-level CSI-RS of different slices in the same time and frequency resources. The base station may use different sequences for the slice-level CSI-RS in different slices to achieve identification, interference randomization, and interference suppression.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration of slice-level CSI-RS can be dynamically adjusted. For example, base station may turn off the slice-level CSI-RS of a slice if there is no mobile station in a connected state currently located within that slice. The base station may subsequently turn on the slice-level CSI-RS of a slice if at least one mobile station in a connected state enters into that slice. More generally, the base station can dynamically configure the density of slice-level CSI-RS of a slice depending on the load in that slice. Upon reconfiguring the slice-level CSI-RS, the base station should transmit a message to the mobile stations in the slice to inform those mobile stations of the changes. The message can be either a broadcast message or a uni-cast message. Upon receiving the message of slice-level CSI-RS configuration, the mobile station should reconfigure its CSI channel estimator to utilize the new configuration of slice-level CSI-RS for CSI channel estimation purpose.

FIG. 7is a process flow diagram of an example of channel sounding and CSI feedback with configurable slice-level CSI-RS (or CRS) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Steps701through704of the process700are substantially identical in purpose and effect to steps601through605of process600illustrated inFIG. 6, and steps708through713are substantially identical in purpose and effect to steps607through612. In process700, however, after long-term large-scale CSI is acquired, a codebook for short-term small-scale feedback is determined as part of the selection of an active slice for the MS (step705). In addition, the configuration and transmission of slice-level CSI-RS (or CRS) also depends on the long-term large-scale CSI. The BS may turn on, or turn off, or change the configuration of slice-level CSI-RS (or CRS), and communicates this change to the intended MS (steps706and707). By doing so, the BS can allow the MS to use more CSI-RS (or CRS) for better CSI estimation when needed, while at the same time limiting the overhead of CSI-RS (or CRS) by turning off transmission of such signals or by reducing the density when those signals are not needed.

Compared with slice-level CRS, the slice-level CSI-RS primarily serves the purpose of assisting CSI estimation at the mobile station for CSI feedback purpose (step709). Therefore, the time-frequency density (and thus the overhead) of the slice-level CSI-RS can be made lower than that of the slice-level CRS. On the other hand, in order to improve the spatial resolution of the slice-level CSI-RS in a MIMO system with large number of transmitter and receiver antennas, the slice-level CSI-RS may provide higher spatial sounding capability than the slice-level CRS. For example, the base station can transmit the slice-level CSI-RS using a larger number of transmitter BF precoders than the number of transmitter BF precoders used to transmit slice-level CRS. In order to achieve higher spatial sounding capability, the transmitter BF precoders for slice-level CSI-RS should also have higher BF gain, and thus smaller half-power beam width (HPBW), than the transmitter BF precoders for slice-level CRS. The mobile station can use these slice-level CSI-RS to improve the accuracy and granularity of CSI estimation for CSI feedback. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the mobile station utilizes the slice-level CSI-RS to improve the slice-level and sub-slice-level spatial CSI. If the slice-level CSI-RS provide sufficient coverage and density in both time and frequency domain, higher resolution and accuracy of the CSI in time and frequency (e.g., sub-band CSI feedback for closed-loop BF/SDMA/MIMO operation) can also be obtained.

FIG. 8is an example of slice-level CSI-RS transmission for use in channel sounding and CSI feedback with configurable slice-level CSI-RS (or CRS) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, there are four slices, S0, S1, S2, and S3, within the sector. A first codebook with four beams, B0, B1, B2, and B3, is used for the slice-level CSI-RS transmission in slice S0; a second codebook with four beams, B4, B5, B6, and B7, is used for the slice-level CSI-RS transmission in slice S1; a third codebook with four beams, B8, B9, B10, and B11, is used for the slice-level CSI-RS transmission in slice S2; and a fourth codebook with four beams, B12, B13, B14, and B15, is used for the slice-level CSI-RS transmission in slice S3. Note these beams, B0through B15, can be subsets of a larger codebook, and that such subsets may have overlap, i.e., having one or multiple common or overlapped beams.

The slice-level CSI-RS transmission is also shown inFIG. 8. In each slice S0through S3, slice-level CSI-RS can be transmitted in different time-frequency resources using different beams. For example, in slice S0, slice-level CSI-RS is transmitted using B0in resources with (time, frequency) indices of (0, 0), (0, 4), (4, 2), and (4, 6), and is also transmitted using B1in resources with (time, frequency) indices of (0,1), (0,5), (4,3), and (4,7), and is additionally transmitted using B2in resources with (time, frequency) indices of (0,2), (0,6), (4,0), and (4,4), and still further is transmitted using B3in resources with (time, frequency) indices of (0,3), (0,7), (4,1), and (4,5). These transmissions allow sufficient sounding of the channel in each beam on the whole time-frequency space. As also as shown inFIG. 8, similar transmission schemes can be used in other slices as well.

SDMA can be used for slice-level CSI-RS transmission, i.e., slice-level CSI-RS on two different beams can be transmitted in the same time-frequency resources. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, CSI-RS for B0and CSI-RS for B8are transmitted in different slices (S0, S2) using the same set of resources with (time, frequency) indices of (0,0), (0,4), (4,2), and (4,6). Similarly, CSI-RS for B1and CSI-RS for B9are transmitted in those slices using the same set of time-frequency resources, while CSI-RS for B2and CSI-RS for B10are transmitted in the same set of time-frequency resources, etc. In like manner, CSI-RS for B7and CSI-RS for B15(for example) are transmitted in different slices (S1, S3) using the same set of time-frequency resources. The CSI-RS for different beams that are transmitted on the same time-frequency resources should be carefully chosen such that inter-beam interference is minimized. Additionally, different scrambling sequences or spreading sequences can be used for each beam such that inter-beam interference can be further suppressed.

Again referring back toFIG. 3, in signal sequence304, the base station transmits MS-specific demodulation reference signals (DMRS) to assist mobile station demodulation of data channel transmissions. The base station generally only allocates a portion of the time frequency resources for a data channel transmission to a mobile station. The DMRS signals, which assist the mobile station in demodulation of the data channel transmissions, should therefore only be transmitted within the allocated time frequency resources for the respective mobile station. The DMRS signals are used to acquire CSI for demodulation within the reduced CSI space as a result of acquiring the long-term and large-scale CSI. Note that even within this reduced CSI space, there can still be multiple degrees of freedom in the spatial domain. In other words, MIMO transmission with rank greater than 1, i.e., multi-layer MIMO transmission, can still occur. As such, there can also be multiple layers of DMRS signals. The multiple layers of DMRS signals and the multiple layers of data channel transmissions can go through the same spatial processing. In this case, the mobile station can acquire the CSI needed for data channel demodulation by estimating the channel coefficients directly from the DMRS signals. Alternatively, additional precoding can be applied to transform from the precoder of the DMRS signals to the precoder of the data channel MIMO transmissions. In this case, the base station needs to explicitly signal the additional precoding to the mobile station.

In signal sequence304, the base station also transmits MS-specific CSI-RS. Like the slice-level CSI-RS, these MS-specific CSI-RS signals can be transmitted via multiple antennas or using multiple transmitter BF precoders. These MS-specific CSI-RS signals can be multiplexed in time, frequency, and space. Different sequences can be used for different MS-specific CSI-RS for identification, interference randomization, and interference suppression purposes.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the MS-specific CSI-RS for a mobile station are transmitted using transmitter BF precoders that have strong spatial correlation with the channel from the base station to the mobile station. In other words, the MS-specific CSI-RS of a MS stay “within” or “close to” the channel from the BS to the MS. Like slice-level CSI-RS, a base station can spatially multiplex the MS-specific CSI-RS of different mobile stations in the same time and frequency resources. The configuration of MS-specific CSI-RS can be dynamically adjusted. For example, base station may turn off the MS-specific CSI-RS if there is no need for the MS to measure CSI using the MS-specific CSI-RS. The base station may turn on the MS-specific CSI-RS for a mobile station if there is a need for that MS to measure CSI using the MS-specific CSI-RS. More generally, the base station can dynamically configure the density of MS-specific CSI-RS for a mobile station. Upon reconfiguring the MS-specific CSI-RS, the base station should transmit a message to the mobile station to inform the mobile station of the reconfiguration. The message can be either a broadcast message or a uni-cast message. The BS can send the MS-specific CSI-RS configuration information together with a request for the MS to feedback CSI measured from the MS-specific CSI-RS.

FIG. 9is a process flow diagram for one example of MS-specific CSI-RS transmission and the associated CSI feedback according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the process900of this example, the base station initiates the transmission of MS-specific CSI-RS (step901), which is received by the MS (step902). The base station can send a request to mobile station for CSI feedback (step903). Preferably at the same time of the request, the base station configures MS-specific CSI-RS to assist the MS in CSI feedback, and transmits that MS-specific CSI-RS to the MS (step905). Upon receiving the CSI feedback request (step904) and the configuration of MS-specific CSI-RS (step906), the mobile station knows the resource allocation for the MS-specific CSI-RS and can thus use that resource allocation for CSI feedback (step907). Steps908through910of the process900are substantially identical in purpose and effect to steps610through612of process600illustrated inFIG. 6.

Notably, the CSI feedback request can also be made implicit. For example, if mobile station detects the message that carries a valid MS-specific CSI-RS configuration, the valid MS-specific CSI-RS configuration can be used as an indication that the BS is requesting a CSI feedback. The configuration of MS-specific CSI-RS can be valid for only one transmission, or multiple transmissions, or periodic, or remain valid until the next configuration.

FIG. 10is a process flow diagram for another example of MS-specific CSI-RS transmission and the associated CSI feedback according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this process example1000, the mobile station requests the transmission of MS-specific CSI-RS from the base station (steps1001and1002). If the request is allowed by the base station, the base station configures MS-specific CSI-RS to assist the MS in CSI feedback, and transmits the configuration (step1003). Upon receiving the configuration of MS-specific CSI-RS (step1004), the mobile station knows the resource allocation for the MS-specific CSI-RS and can thus use that resource allocation for CSI feedback (step1007). Steps1008through1010of the process1000are substantially identical in purpose and effect to steps610through612of process600illustrated inFIG. 6.

In summary, using the sync and reference signals transmitted in sequences301and302ofFIG. 3, the mobile station should be able to identify the long-term large-scale CSI with good fidelity. The selection of preferred sectors and preferred slices also reduces the channel state information space in which short-term and small-scale CSI remains to be resolved, with finer granularity and accuracy. This reduction of channel state information space by resolving long-term and large-scale CSI makes it practically possible to estimate short-term and small-scale CSI within a small channel state information space using reasonable amount of reference signals in sequences303304.

FIG. 11is an alternative illustration of the hierarchical CSI acquisition depicted inFIG. 3. Different reference signals are utilized in each step to achieve different level of CSI acquisition. As the mobile station goes through the multiple CSI acquisition steps, finer and finer granularity of CSI acquisition is achieved.

Note that although an extensive procedure is described for illustration purpose as shown inFIG. 3, not all reference signals or CSI acquisition steps are needed for all systems. In some systems or scenarios, certain steps may be skipped.

FIG. 12depicts one example of a simplified hierarchical channel sounding and CSI estimation scheme hierarchical channel sounding and CSI estimation scheme according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this exemplary simplified signal sequence1200, sync signals1201are transmitted as inFIG. 3and CRS and CSI-RS1202are likewise transmitted at the sector-level as inFIG. 3, while MS-specific DMRS1203are used for demodulation as inFIG. 3. Upon acquiring the coarse (long-term) transmitter and receiver BF information, however, the MS can use sector-level CSI-RS1202to estimate fine (short-term) CSI information and generate CSI feedback directly. The codebook used by the MS for CSI feedback depends on the coarse transmitter and receiver BF information acquired based on sync signals1201. This simplified scheme1200will help reduce the CSI feedback overhead and improve the CSI feedback granularity.

Although downlink CSI acquisition was used an example to illustrate hierarchical channel sounding and CSI estimation inFIG. 3, the techniques are equally applicable in the uplink.FIG. 13depicts an example of hierarchical uplink channel sounding and CSI estimation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As evident from comparison withFIG. 3, the signal sequence1300ofFIG. 13follows similar steps as the example of a hierarchical downlink channel sounding and CSI estimation signal sequence300described above, except that a Random Access Channel (RACH) uplink transmission by the MS may occur concurrent with the transmission of sync signals1301, the MS-specific UL DMRS1304is transmitted by mobile station instead of the MS-specific DL DMRS transmitted by base station, and mobile station also transmits the MS-specific UL sounding reference signal (SRS)1304in place of the MS-specific CSI-RS. The signal sequences1302-1303parallel the counterpart signal sequences302-303inFIG. 3. This scheme1300works well if downlink-uplink channel reciprocity can be assumed, at least for long-term large-scale channel state information, since the long-term large-scale CSI is resolved using downlink reference signals1301-1302, while short-term small-scale CSI is resolved using uplink reference signals1303-1304.

FIG. 14depicts another example of a hierarchical uplink CSI acquisition scheme according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the signal sequence1400of this example, downlink-uplink channel reciprocity is not assumed. Time and frequency synchronization and serving sector identification are achieved via detection of sync signals1401. Upon completing the random access procedure (RACH), the sequence timing advances to uplink transmissions, and coarse transmitter and receiver BF can also be achieved for uplink transmissions. The MS transmits UL DMRS1402to assist the BS demodulation of uplink data channel transmissions. The MS-specific UL SRS1403is transmitted for the BS to acquire CSI for uplink scheduling. Since coarse transmitter and receiver BF information is acquired based on the signals1401, the CSI space for CSI estimation based on1402and1403is reduced, reducing the reference signal overhead needed to achieve accurate CSI for demodulation and scheduling purpose.

While each process flow and signal sequence depicted in the figures and described above depicts a sequence of steps and/or signals, either in series or in tandem, unless explicitly stated or otherwise self-evident (e.g., a signal cannot be received before being transmitted) no inference should be drawn from that sequence regarding specific order of performance, performance of steps or portions or transmission of signals thereof serially rather than concurrently or in an overlapping manner, or performance the steps or transmission of signals depicted exclusively without the occurrence of intervening or intermediate steps or signals. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize that complete processes and signal sequences are not illustrated or described. Instead, for simplicity and clarity, only so much of the respective processes and signal sequences as is unique to the present disclosure or necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure is depicted and described.