Patent ID: 12250689

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Examples of the disclosure are now described more fully with reference to the accompany drawings. The following description is essentially exemplary, but not intended to limit the disclosure, applications and uses.

Exemplary embodiments are provided to make the disclosure more detailed and sufficiently convey the scope thereof to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details, such as examples of a specific component, a device and a method, are illustrated to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in different ways without using the specific details, and the exemplary embodiments should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known structures and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

In the scenario shown inFIG.1, a macro base station1has a wide coverage area which is referred as to a macro cell, and a low power node2has a narrow coverage area which is referred as to a small cell. The macro base station1has a frequency point of, for example, 2 GHZ, and the low power node2has a frequency point of, for example, 3.5 GHZ. Carrier aggregation may be performed between the macro base station1and the low power node2. The macro base station1may be, for example, directly connected to the low power node2via an optical fiber4, so that the macro base station1and the low power node2are in common baseband. UE (user equipment)3may communicate with both the macro base station1and the low power node2via multiple component carriers.

As an example, the UE3has performed carrier aggregation between nodes of the macro base station1and the low power node2, and the aggregated component carriers include a carrier a and a carrier b. Specifically, the low power node2and the macro base station1perform CoMP (Cooperated Multi-Point) transmission for the UE3on the component carrier a, and the low power node separately serves the UE3on the carrier b.

As another example, the UE3may communicate with the macro base station1via a component carrier c, and communicate with the low power node2via a component carrier d. A carrier aggregation may be performed for the component carrier c and the component carrier d (carrier aggregation between nodes).

In the prior art, in a case where a carrier aggregation is performed between the macro base station1and the low power node2, original primary component carrier setting and the association rules are still valid. For example, in a FDD mode, association with an uplink primary component carrier may be performed via SIB2 transmitted by a downlink primary component carrier. Alternatively, in the absence of SIB2 content, the UE3may acknowledge an uplink primary component carrier via a default frequency point spacing between a downlink primary component carrier and the uplink primary component carrier associated with the downlink primary component carrier. In a TDD (Time Division Duplex) mode, a transmission function of a default downlink primary component carrier and a transmission function of an uplink primary component carrier are performed on a same component carrier.

Since the component carriers of the macro base station1are mainly used for data transmission related to mobility control, the primary component carriers may include a downlink component carrier of the macro base station1. In this way, the primary component carriers will also include an uplink component carrier of the macro base station1based on the original primary component carrier setting and the association rules.

In addition, when the UE3transmits uplink data on two or more component carriers, in a case of limited power, if uplink transmission power exceeds maximum transmission power, then a case of discarding uplink SRS (Sounding Reference Signal)/PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)/PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) information may occur, thereby resulting in loss of the data transmission. Therefore, uplink data transmission is generally performed on the uplink primary component carrier as much as possible. Therefore, in the case that the macro base station1and the low power node2perform common baseband transmission as shown inFIG.1, the low power node cannot assist the macro base station1in performing PUCCH shunting to alleviate the burden for an uplink control channel of a macro cell. Further, a solution that takes the macro base station1as a receiving node to perform uplink power control is not beneficial to reduce energy consumption of the UE3.

In order to alleviate the burden for an uplink control channel of the macro cell and reduce the energy consumption of the UE, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for performing wireless communication in a wireless communication system, as shown inFIG.2. The wireless communication system includes, for example, the low power node2and the macro base station1with common baseband and the UE3as shown inFIG.1, and the UE3communicates with the low power node2and the macro base station1via multiple component carriers.

As shown inFIG.2, at step S210, user equipment receives a downlink signal transmitted by the low power node and the macro base station. InFIG.1, the communication of the UE3with the macro base station1and the low power node2is schematically shown. For example, when the UE3is within the coverage area of the macro base station1and also within the coverage area of the low power node2, communication between the macro base station1and the UE3is performed via a C-plane (control plane), and communication between the low power node2and the UE3is performed via a U-plane (user plane).

Next, at step S220, uplink signals are transmitted to the low power node and the macro base station. For example, as shown inFIG.1, the UE3may transmit an uplink signal to the low power node2, and may also transmit an uplink signal to the macro base station1.

Finally, at step S230, all of first uplink signals of the uplink signals are transmitted to the low power node as a receiving node. The first uplink signals here may include, but are not limited to, a PUCCH signal and/or a PUSCH signal.

Different from a case that the PUCCH signal and the PUSCH signal are only transmitted on a default uplink primary component carrier of the macro base station1in the prior art, the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure transmits all of the first uplink signals, including the PUCCH signal and/or the PUSCH signal, to the low power node2, to achieve shunting of the uplink signals, thereby alleviating the burden for an uplink control channel of the macro cell. In addition, considering that the distance between the UE3and the low power node2is much shorter than the distance between the UE3and the macro base station1in a general case, the low power node2taken as a receiving node of some uplink signals may be beneficial to reduce energy consumption of the UE3.

When the carrier aggregation is performed between nodes of the low power node2and the macro base station1, the macro base station1sets a downlink component carrier thereof as a downlink primary component carrier. In this case, the method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may release the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier. In other words, the original primary component carrier setting and the association rules are released. In this way, the PUCCH signal and the PUSCH signal will not be only transmitted on the default uplink primary component carrier of the macro base station1.

In this case, when the wireless communication system is a FDD system, an uplink component carrier of the low power node2may be set as the uplink primary component carrier. In this way, the PUCCH signal and the PUSCH signal that are only transmitted on the uplink primary component carrier are transmitted to the low power node2, thereby achieving shunting of the uplink signals.

In another aspect, when the wireless communication system is a TDD system, the transmission function of the downlink primary component carrier may be performed by a downlink timeslot of a component carrier of the macro base station1, and the transmission function of the uplink primary component carrier may be performed by an uplink timeslot of a component carrier of the low power node2. In this way, the PUCCH signal and the PUSCH signal may also be transmitted to the low power node2, to achieve shunting of the uplink signals.

In addition, if the UE3aggregates multiple component carriers on the low power node2, and, for example, the macro base station1does not operate on these component carriers, then the macro base station1(or the low power node2) may inform the UE3of the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node2via RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Media Access Control) signaling or DCI (Downlink Control Information) of physical layer. The UE3may know the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node2by receiving the the RRC signaling, the MAC signaling or DCI of the physical layer. Alternatively, the UE3may also select by default a component carrier with highest or lowest frequency point from these component carriers as the uplink primary component carrier of the UE3on the low power node2.

Further, when the carrier aggregation between the nodes of the low power node2and the macro base station1is terminated, the macro base station1(or the low power node2) may inform to recover the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier via the RRC signaling, the MAC signaling or the DCI of the physical layer. The UE3may be informed to recover the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier by receiving the RRC signaling, the MAC signaling or the DCI of the physical layer. Alternatively, the UE3may also recover by default the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier. An uplink component carrier of the macro base station1is set as the uplink primary component carrier after the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier is recovered.

In the following, illustration will be made by takingFIG.1as an example. If the UE3shown inFIG.1aggregates a component carrier of 2 GHz and a component carrier of 3.5 GHz, then since the small cell is mainly responsible for the uplink data transmission, the PUCCH signal and the PUSCH signal are substantially all transmitted on the component carrier of 3.5 GHZ. In this case, the PUCCH signaling for uplink transmission of the macro cell is to be integrated into an uplink component carrier (FDD)/an uplink timeslot (TDD) of 3.5 GHz. Meanwhile, for saving transmission power of the UE3, uplink signaling interaction between the UE3and the macro base station1may also be transmitted on the uplink component carrier of 3.5 GHz. This operation may be performed by default after entering a carrier aggregation state between base stations, and may also be performed by the downlink primary component carrier via RRC/MAC/physical layer signaling.

If the UE3shown inFIG.1aggregates two or more component carriers on a frequency band of 3.5 GHz of the small cell, then the downlink primary component carrier specifies the uplink primary component carrier via the RRC/MAC/physical layer signaling, or the network and the UE3select by default a component carrier with highest or lowest uplink frequency point from the aggregated carriers of the small cell as the uplink primary component carrier.

If the UE3shown inFIG.1terminates the carrier aggregation state between the base stations, then the downlink primary component carrier informs the UE3to recover the SIB2 association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier via the RRC/MAC/physical layer signaling, or the network and the UE3automatically recover this association by fault.

FIG.3shows a topological diagram of common baseband CoMP transmission in a heterogeneous network. In an independent cell ID coordination mode (i.e., a CoMP scenario 3) and a single frequency network coordination mode (i.e. a CoMP scenario 4) as shown inFIG.3, a function of decoupling a downlink transmitting point and an uplink transmitting point is supported. In this case, if the decoupling of the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier is not performed, then the low power node may still be selected as an uplink target receiving node in accordance with accurate power control, to save transmission power of the uplink PUCCH and uplink PUSCH. In this way, when the SRS is transmitted to the low power node and the macro base station, the accurate power control is also required to ensure correctness in data reception and efficiency of the power consumption.

Original uplink power control performs processing based on a path loss of a downlink transmitting point. If it is in the CoMP scenario 4 (same signals from multiple transmitting points are integrated), then it is undoubted that quality estimation of a downlink channel is too high, thereby resulting in that the path loss compensation power is too low, and further resulting in reduction of reception quality of uplink signal. On the other hand, if the uplink transmission power is increased due to downlink interference of the low power node in the CoMP scenario 3, then interference on the low power node will be further increased.

The inventor of the disclosure suggests that uplink power control adjustment parameters of the PUSCH and the PUCCH are derived based on compensation of inter frequency measurement, thereby optimizing transmission result of the whole uplink data.

In addition, in the LTE/LTE-A TDD system, the SRS may be used for determining timing advance of uplink transmission, and may also be used for estimating quality of a downlink channel according to the characteristic of reciprocity between an uplink channel and the downlink channel. The transmission power in the former case depends on the collection of receiving nodes, but the transmission power in the latter case depends on the collection of transmitting nodes. The inventor has known that fine adjustment may be performed by increasing power control numerical range of the SRS, to minimize the risk of standardized work. The inventor considers that a unity solution is required to solve optimization problems of the uplink power control under these scenarios.

FIG.4shows a method for path compensation of uplink power control according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method as shown inFIG.4is applicable for a case that the macro base station and the low power node perform CoMP transmission on at least a first component carrier and the low power node further communicates with the user equipment via at least a second component carrier.

As shown inFIG.4, at step S410, a coordination downlink path loss when the low power node performs the CoMP transmission for the user equipment on the first component carrier is estimated with reference to a separate downlink path loss occurred when the low power node transmits a downlink signal separately for the user equipment on the second component carrier.

The separate downlink path loss may be obtained according to the transmission power when the low power node transmits a CRS (Cell-Specific Reference Signal) separately and linearly detected RSRP (Reference Signal Receiving Power) of the CRS of the low power node.

Next, at step S420, based on the coordination downlink path loss, an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the low power node as a target receiving node on the first component carrier is estimated, to perform uplink signal transmission power compensation.

FIG.5shows an example of a method for estimating an uplink path loss. Specifically, at step S510, linearly detected RSRP of a CRS of the low power node may be subtracted from transmission power when the low power node transmits the CRS separately, to obtain a separate downlink path loss. This may be expressed with the following expression (1).
PLLBNdB=TxPower(LPN_CRS)dB−10 log 10RSRPLPNLinear(CRS)  (1)
wherein PLLPNdBindicates a path loss of the LPN (low power node) in decibels (dB);
TxPower(LPN_CRS)dBindicates the transmission power in dB when the LPN transmits the CRS separately; and
10 log 10RSRPLPNLinear(CRS) indicates the linearly detected RSRP of the CRS of the LPN.

Next, at step S520, considering a frequency interval between a carrier separately transmitted by the low power node and a CoMP carrier, a height of frequency point, a distance between a terminal and the low power node, historical statistics and other factors, a coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) occurring when the low power node transmits a downlink signal in a COMP mode may be estimated based on the separate downlink path loss PLLPNdB. A deviation value between the separate downlink path loss PLLPNdBand the coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) is related to working frequency points of the two carriers, a frequency offset, a transmission environment of the low power node, a specific position of the terminal within the coverage area of the low power node and the like.

Thereafter, at step S530, an uplink path loss may be estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB), for example, according to the characteristic of reciprocity between an uplink channel and a downlink channel. The simplest treatment is that the uplink path loss is considered as being equal to the coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB).

In this way, derivation of the uplink power control adjustment parameters of an uplink signal which takes the low power node as a target receiving node is completed based on the compensation of the inter frequency measurement, thereby optimizing the transmission result of the whole uplink data. The uplink signal here may include a PUSCH signal, a PUCCH signal, or a SRS.

Regarding the specific power compensation method, when the uplink signal is a PUSCH signal, for example, the compensation may be performed with the following expression (2):
P=min{Pmax,10 logM+P0_PUSCH(j)+α(j)PL+ΔLF+f(i)}  (2)
where P indicates closed-loop power of the PUSCH (i.e., power provided by a terminal to transmit a PUSCH signal);
Pmaxindicates maximum power;
M indicates the number of resource blocks (RB);
P0_PUSCH(j) indicates a power reference value set by high-level signaling, for reflecting a noise level of an uplink receiving terminal;
α(j) indicates a path loss compensation coefficient;
P L indicates the uplink path loss estimated by the method of the disclosure;
ΔTFindicates a power offset; and
f(i) indicates an adjustment value.

When the uplink signal is a PUCCH signal, for example, the compensation may be performed with the following expression (3):
P=min{Pmax,P0_PUSCH(j)+PL+h(nCQI,nHARQ)+ΔF_PUCCH(F)+g(i)}  (3)
where P indicates closed-loop power of the PUCCH (i.e., power provided by a terminal to transmit a PUCCH signal);
Pmaxindicates maximum power;
P0_PUSCH(j) indicates a power reference value set by high-level signaling, for reflecting a noise level of an uplink receiving terminal;
PL indicates the uplink path loss estimated by the method of the disclosure;
h(nCQI, nHARQ) indicates an offset of the transmission power of the PUCCH;
ΔF_PUCCH(F) indicates power offset of the transmission power of the PUCCH of another kind; and
g(i) indicates an adjustment value.

When the uplink signal is a SRS, for example, the compensation may be performed with the following expression (4):
P=min{Pmax,PSRS_OFFSET+10 logMSRS+P0_PUSCH(j)+α(j)PL+ΔTF+f(i)}  (4)
where P indicates closed-loop power of the SRS (i.e., power provided by a terminal to transmit a SRS);
Pmaxindicates maximum power;
PSRS_OFFSETindicates a power offset for the SRS;
MSRSindicates the number of resource blocks (RB) required by the SRS;
P0_PUSCH(j) indicates a power reference value set by high-level signaling, for reflecting a noise level of an uplink receiving terminal;
α(j) indicates a path loss compensation coefficient;
PL indicates the uplink path loss estimated by the method of the disclosure;
ΔFindicates a power offset; and
f(i) indicates an adjustment value.

The above expressions (2) to (4) are closed-loop power control formulas for the PUSCH, the PUCCH and the SRS, respectively. For open-loop power control, the power compensation may be performed with the following expression (5):
PSDTx=P0+α·PL(5)
where PSDTXindicates open-loop power;
P0indicates a power reference value set by high-level signaling, for reflecting a noise level of an uplink receiving terminal;
α indicates a path loss compensation coefficient; and
PL indicates the uplink path loss estimated by the method of the disclosure.

The derivation of the uplink power control adjustment parameters of an uplink signal which takes the low power node as the target receiving node has been described above. In a case where the macro base station is taken as the target receiving node, the derivation of the uplink power control adjustment parameters of an uplink signal may also be performed.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a coordination downlink path loss when the macro base station performs the CoMP transmission for the user equipment on the first component carrier may be estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss of the low power node.

Specifically, the receiving power of the low power node may be obtained, for example, according to transmission power when the low power node transmits a CRS (Cell-Specific Reference Signal), data or a CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Reference Signal) in the CoMP transmission mode for the user equipment on the first component carrier and the coordination downlink path loss of the low power node.

Further, the receiving power of the macro base station may be obtained according to the linearly detected RSPS of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station as well as the receiving power of the low power node.

Further, a coordination downlink path loss of the macro base station may be obtained according to the transmission power when the macro base station transmits the CRS in the CoMP transmission mode for the user equipment on the first component carrier and the receiving power of the macro base station.

Next, based on the coordination downlink path loss of the macro base station, an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the macro base station as the target receiving node on the first component carrier may be estimated, to perform uplink signal transmission power compensation.

The uplink signal here may also include a PUSCH signal, a PUCCH signal or a SRS.

Of course, as mentioned above, if the PUCCH signal and the PUSCH signal that are only transmitted on the uplink primary component carrier are all transmitted to the low power node for achieving shunting of the uplink signals, then an uplink signal which takes the macro base station as the target receiving node may only include a SRS, to predict the quality of a downlink channel of the macro base station according to the reciprocity between an uplink channel and the downlink channel.

Regarding the specific method for estimating an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the macro base station as a target receiving node (which is referred to as “an uplink path loss of the macro base station” hereinafter), the expression (1) mentioned above may also be adopted. Specifically, linearly detected RSRP of a CRS of the low power node 10 log 10RSRPLPNLinear(CRS) may be firstly subtracted from transmission power TxPower(LPN_CRS)dBwhen the low power node transmits the CRS separately, to obtain a separate downlink path loss PLLPNdBof the low power node.

Next, considering a frequency interval between a carrier separately transmitted by the low power node and a COMP carrier, a height of frequency point, a distance between a terminal and the low power node, historical statistics and other factors, a coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) occurring when the low power node transmits a downlink signal in a CoMP transmission mode may be estimated based on the separate downlink path loss PLLPNdB.

Thereafter, an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the low power node as the target receiving node (which is referred to as “an uplink path loss of the low power node” hereinafter) may be further estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node, for example, according to the characteristic of reciprocity between an uplink channel and a downlink channel.

In a case where the CoMP transmission mode is the single frequency network coordination mode (i.e. the CoMP scenario 4), further estimation of an uplink path loss of the macro base station based on the estimated coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node may be performed with the following expression (6):
TxPower(Macro_CRS)dB−PLmacrodB+TxPower(LPN_CRS)dB−f(PLLPNdB)=10 log 10(RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS))  (6)
where TxPower(Macro_CRS)dBindicates transmission power in dB when the macro base station cooperatively transmits a CRS;
PLmacrodBindicates a path loss of the macro base station in dB;
TxPower(LPN_CRS)dBindicates transmission power in dB when the LPN (Low Power Node) cooperatively transmits the CRS; and
10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) indicates linearly detected RSRP of the CRS of the macro base station and the low power node.

Specifically, the estimated coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node may be firstly subtracted from transmission power TxPower(LPN_CRS)dBwhen the low power node transmits a CRS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain receiving power of the low power node.

Further, the receiving power of the low power node may be subtracted from the linearly detected RSRP 10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station, to obtain receiving power of the macro base station.

Further, the receiving power of the macro base station may be subtracted from transmission power TxPower(Macro_CRS)dBwhen the macro base station transmits the CRS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain a coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station.

Finally, an uplink path loss of the macro base station may be estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station according to the reciprocity between an uplink channel and a downlink channel. For example, with reference to the expressions (2) to (5) mentioned above, the path loss PL therein is replaced with PLmacrodB, and then an uplink transmission power value of the PUSCH/PUCCH/SRS of the closed-loop power control and an uplink transmission power value of the open-loop power control may be derived.

In a case where the CoMP transmission is the independent cell ID coordination mode (i.e., the CoMP scenario 3), further estimation of an uplink path loss of the macro base station based on the estimated coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node may be performed with the following expression (7):
TxPower(Macro_CRS)dB−PLmacrodB+TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dB−f(PLLPNdB)=10 log 10(RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS))  (7)
where TxPower(Macro_CRS)dBindicates transmission power in dB when the macro base station cooperatively transmits a CRS;
PLmacrodBindicates a path loss of the macro base station in dB;
TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dBindicates transmission power in dB when the LPN (Low Power Node) cooperatively transmits a data signal or a CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Reference Signal); and
10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) indicates linearly detected RSRP of the CRS of the macro base station and the low power node.

Specifically, the estimated coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node may be firstly subtracted from transmission power TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dBwhen the low power node transmits a data signal or a CSI-RS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain receiving power of the low power node.

Further, the receiving power of the low power node may be subtracted from the linearly detected RSRP 10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station, to obtain receiving power of the macro base station.

Further, the receiving power of the macro base station may be subtracted from transmission power TxPower(Macro_CRS)dBwhen the macro base station transmits the CRS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain a coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station.

Finally, an uplink path loss of the macro base station may be estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station according to the reciprocity between an uplink channel and a downlink channel. For example, with reference to the expressions (2) to (5) mentioned above, the path loss PL therein is replaced with PLmacrodB, and then an uplink transmission power value of the PUSCH/PUCCH/SRS of the closed-loop power control and an uplink transmission power value of the open-loop power control may be derived.

It should be understood that, in the above expression (7), TxPower(Macro_CRS)dB−PLmacrodBindicates the power that the macro base station transmits the CRS to a terminal (receiving power of the macro base station), and TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dB−f(PLLPNdB) indicates the power that the low power node transmits the data signal or the CSI-RS to the terminal (receiving power of the low power node). The linearly detected RSRP 10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station may be obtained by adding the two power values described above.

However, in the calculation of the linearly detected RSRP 10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station, the receiving power of the macro base station and the receiving power of the low power node may offset each other, in addition to mutual superimposition. In a case where the receiving power of the macro base station and the receiving power of the low power node offset each other, the uplink path loss of the macro base station may be estimated with the following expression (8):
TxPower(Macro_CRS)dB−PLmacrodB−(TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dB−f(PLLPNdB))=10 log 10(RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS))  (8)

In the above expression (8), nothing changes except that the sign between the receiving power of the macro base station and the receiving power of the low power node is changed from a plus sign to a minus sign.

In specific calculation, the estimated coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node may also be firstly subtracted from transmission power TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dBwhen the low power node transmits a data signal or a CSI-RS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain receiving power of the low power node.

Further, the linearly detected RSRP 10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station may be added the receiving power of the low power node, to obtain receiving power of the macro base station.

Further, the receiving power of the macro base station may be subtracted from transmission power TxPower(Macro_CRS)dBwhen the macro base station transmits the CRS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain a coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station.

Finally, an uplink path loss of the macro base station may be estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station according to the reciprocity between an uplink channel and a downlink channel. For example, with reference to the expressions (2) to (5) mentioned above, the path loss PL therein is replaced with PLmacrodB, and then an uplink transmission power value of the PUSCH/PUCCH/SRS of the closed-loop power control and an uplink transmission power value of the open-loop power control may also be derived.

The above expression (8) describes a case that the receiving power of the macro basc station and the receiving power of the low power node offset each other and the receiving power of the macro base station is larger than the receiving power of the low power node. For a case that the receiving power of the macro base station and the receiving power of the low power node offset each other and the receiving power of the macro base station is not larger than the receiving power of the low power node, the uplink path loss may be estimated with the following expression (9):
TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dB−f(PLLPNdB)−(TxPower(Macro_CRS)dB−PLmacrodB)=10 log 10(RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS))  (9)

In specific calculation, the estimated coordination downlink path loss f(PLLPNdB) of the low power node may also be firstly subtracted from transmission power TxPower(LPN_Data/LPN_CSI)dBwhen the low power node transmits a data signal or a CSI-RS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain receiving power of the low power node.

Further, the linearly detected RSRP 10 log 10RSRPmacro+LPNLinear(CRS) of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station may be subtracted from the receiving power of the low power node, to obtain receiving power of the macro base station.

Further, the receiving power of the macro base station may be subtracted from transmission power TxPower(Macro_CRS)dBwhen the macro base station transmits the CRS in the CoMP transmission mode, to obtain a coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station.

Finally, an uplink path loss of the macro base station may be estimated based on the coordination downlink path loss PLmacrodBof the macro base station according to the reciprocity between an uplink channel and a downlink channel. For example, with reference to the expressions (2) to (5) mentioned above, the path loss PL therein is replaced with PLmacrodB, and then an uplink transmission power value of the PUSCH/PUCCH/SRS of the closed-loop power control and an uplink transmission power value of the open-loop power control may also be derived.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, under the heterogeneous network scenario and in a case where common baseband processing is performed between the low power transmission node and the macro base station, when the carrier aggregation is performed between base stations, the uplink PUCCH/PUSCH transmission is transmitted on the aggregated carriers of the low power transmission node as far as possible. If the CoMP transmission is performed between the macro base station and the low power node and uplink data transmission (including the PUCCH, the PUSCH, the SRS and so on) needs to be performed, then the path loss of the low power node on a multi-point transmission frequency band is predicted with reference to the path loss where the low power node separately transmits a carrier, thereby obtaining path loss compensation values of the uplink power control of a macro base station node and the low power node, to perform more accurate uplink power control.

A wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is described hereinafter in conjunction withFIG.6. As shown inFIG.6, the wireless communication system100according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a macro base station210, a low power node220, and a wireless communication device300. The low power node220and the macro base station210are in common baseband, and the wireless communication device300may communicate with the low power node220and the macro base station210via multiple component carriers.

The wireless communication device300may include a receiving unit310, a transmitting unit320, a control unit330and the like.

The receiving unit310may be used to receive a downlink signal transmitted by the low power node220and the macro base station210.

The transmitting unit320may be used to transmit uplink signals to the low power node220and the macro base station210.

The control unit330may be used to control the transmitting unit320to transmit all of first uplink signals of the uplink signals to the low power node220as a receiving node.

The first uplink signals here may include PUCCH signal and/or PUSCH signal.

Carrier aggregation may be performed between the low power node220and the macro base station210, and the macro base station210may set a downlink component carrier thereof as a downlink primary component carrier.

In a case where the carrier aggregation is performed between the low power node220and the macro base station210, the control unit330may release the association between an uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier.

In the FDD mode, the control unit330may set an uplink component carrier of the low power node220as the uplink primary component carrier.

The wireless communication system100may also be a TDD system. In this case, a transmission function of the downlink primary component carrier may be performed by a downlink timeslot of a component carrier of the macro base station210, and a transmission function of the uplink primary component carrier may be performed by an uplink timeslot of a component carrier of the low power node220.

The macro base station210may inform the wireless communication device300of the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node220or recovery of the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier via RRC signaling, MAC signaling or DCI of physical layer.

The receiving unit310may receive the RRC signaling, the MAC signaling or the DCI of the physical layer, to know the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node220. Alternatively, in a case where the wireless communication device300aggregates multiple component carriers on the low power node220and the macro base station210does not operate on these component carriers, the control unit330may select by default a component carrier with highest or lowest frequency point from these component carriers as the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node220.

When the carrier aggregation between the low power node220and the macro base station210is terminated, the receiving unit310may also receive the RRC signaling, the MAC signaling or the DCI of the physical layer, to know recovery of the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier. Alternatively, the control unit330may also recover by default the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier. After the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier is recovered, an uplink component carrier of the macro base station210may be set as the uplink primary component carrier.

The macro base station210and the low power node220may perform CoMP transmission on a first component carrier, and the low power node220may also communicate with the wireless communication device300via a second component carrier. In this case, the wireless communication device300may further include an estimating unit340to estimate an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the wireless communication device300which takes the low power node220or the macro base station210as a target receiving node, thereby performing uplink signal transmission power compensation.

Specifically, the estimating unit340may be used to estimate a coordination downlink path loss when the low power node220performs the CoMP transmission for the wireless communication device300on the first component carrier, with reference to a separate downlink path loss occurring when the low power node220transmits a downlink signal separately for the wireless communication device300on the second component carrier. Then, based on the coordination downlink path loss of the low power node220, the estimating unit340may also estimate an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the wireless communication device300which takes the low power node220as the target receiving node, to perform the uplink signal transmission power compensation.

Further, the estimating unit340may be used to estimate a coordination downlink path loss when the macro base station210performs the CoMP transmission for the wireless communication device300on the first component carrier based on the coordination downlink path loss of the low power node220. Then, based on the coordination downlink path loss of the macro base station210, the estimating unit340may also estimate an uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the wireless communication device300which takes the macro base station210as a target receiving node, to perform the uplink signal transmission power compensation.

Various specific embodiments of each unit described above of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the disclosure have been described in detail hereinbefore, which are not repeated here.

Obviously, each operation process of the method for performing wireless communication in a wireless communication system according to the disclosure may be implemented with a computer executable program stored in various machine readable storage mediums.

Further, the object of the disclosure may be implemented in a way that: a storage medium storing the above executable program code is directly or indirectly provided to a system or an apparatus, and a computer or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the system or the apparatus reads and performs the above program code. In this case, provided that the system or the apparatus has a function of performing a program, then the embodiment of the disclosure is not limited to the program, and the program may be in any form, such as an object program, a program executed by an interpreter or a script program provided to an operating system.

These machine readable storage mediums described above include but not limited to various memories and memory cells, semiconductor apparatuses, disk units (such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk and a magneto-optical disk), and other mediums suitable for storing information.

In addition, the technical solution of the disclosure may also be implemented by connecting a computer to a corresponding website on internet, loading and mounting a computer program code according to the disclosure into the computer, and then performing the program.

FIG.7is a block diagram of an exemplary structure of a general-purpose personal computer in which a method for performing wireless communication in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented.

As shown inFIG.7, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)1301performs various processing in accordance with a program stored in a ROM (Read-Only Memory)1302or a program loaded from a storage section1308into a RAM (Random Access Memory)1303. In the RAM1303, data required when the CPU1301performs various processing is also stored as necessary. The CPU1301, the ROM1302and the RAM1303are connected with each other via a bus1304. An input/output interface1305is also connected to the bus1304.

The following components are connected to the input/output interface1305: an input section1306(including a keyboard, a mouse and the like), an output section1307(including a display (such as a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) and a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)), a speaker and the like), a storage section1308(including a hard disk and the like) and a communication section1309(including a network interface card such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a modem and the like). The communication section1309performs communication processing via a network such as internet. A driver1310may also be connected to the input/output interface1305as necessary. A removable medium1311, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk and a semiconductor memory, may be mounted onto the driver1310as necessary, so that a computer program read from the removable medium1311may be installed into the storage section1308as necessary.

In a case where a series of processing described above is implemented by software, programs constituting the software may be installed from a network such as internet or a storage medium such as the removable medium1311.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that, the storage medium is not limited to the removable medium1311shown inFIG.7which stores a program thercin and distributes the program separately from the apparatus to provide the program to a user. Examples of the removable medium1311include a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk (registered mark)), an optical disk (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), a magneto-optical disk (including a MD (Mini Disk) (registered mark)) and a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the storage medium may be a hard disk included in the ROM1302or the storage section1308and the like, which stores a program therein and is distributed to the user together with the apparatus in which the storage medium is included.

(1) A method for performing wireless communication in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising a low power node and a macro base station with common baseband and a user equipment, the user equipment communicating with the low power node and the macro base station via a plurality of component carriers, and the method comprising: receiving, by the user equipment, a downlink signal transmitted by the low power node and the macro base station; and transmitting uplink signals to the low power node and the macro base station, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting all of first uplink signals of the uplink signals to the low power node as a receiving node.

(2) The method according to (1), wherein the first uplink signals include a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) signal and/or a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) signal.

(3) The method according to (1) or (2), wherein carrier aggregation is performed between the low power node and the macro base station, and the macro base station sets a downlink component carrier of the macro base station as a downlink primary component carrier.

(4) The method according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising: releasing association between an uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier.

(5) The method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the wireless communication system is a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, and the method further comprises: setting an uplink component carrier of the low power node as the uplink primary component carrier.

(6) The method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the wireless communication system is a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, a transmission function of the downlink primary component carrier is performed by a downlink timeslot of a component carrier of the macro base station, and a transmission function of the uplink primary component carrier is performed by an uplink timeslot of a component carrier of the low power node.

(7) The method according to any one of (4) to (6), further comprising: knowing the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node by receiving Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) signaling or Downlink Control Information (DCI) of physical layer.

(8) The method according to any one of (4) to (7), wherein in a case where the user equipment aggregates the plurality of component carriers on the low power node and the macro base station does not operate on the plurality of component carriers, the method further comprises: knowing the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node by receiving RRC signaling, MAC signaling or DCI of physical layer; or selecting by default a component carrier with highest or lowest frequency point from the plurality of component carriers as the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node.

(9) The method according to any one of (4) to (7), wherein when the carrier aggregation between the low power node and the macro base station is terminated, the method further comprises: knowing recovery of the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier by receiving RRC signaling, MAC signaling or DCI of physical layer; or recovering by default the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier, wherein an uplink component carrier of the macro base station is set as the uplink primary component carrier after the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier is recovered.

(10) The method according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the macro base station and the low power node perform Coordinated Multi-Point (COMP) transmission on at least a first component carrier, and the low power node further communicates with the user equipment via at least a second component carrier.

(11) The method according to any one of (1) to (10), further comprising: estimating a first coordination downlink path loss when the low power node performs the CoMP transmission for the user equipment on the first component carrier, with reference to a separate downlink path loss occurring when the low power node transmits a downlink signal separately for the user equipment on the second component carrier; and estimating, based on the first coordination downlink path loss, a first uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the low power node as a target receiving node on the first component carrier, to perform uplink signal transmission power compensation.

(12) The method according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the separate downlink path loss is obtained in accordance with transmission power when the low power node transmits a Cell-Specific Reference Signal (CRS) separately and a linearly detected Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) of the CRS of the low power node.

(13) The method according to (12), further comprising: estimating a second coordination downlink path loss when the macro base station performs the CoMP transmission for the user equipment on the first component carrier, based on the first coordination downlink path loss; and estimating, based on the second coordination downlink path loss, a second uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the macro base station as a target receiving node on the first component carrier, to perform the uplink signal transmission power compensation.

(14) The method according to (13), wherein first receiving power is obtained in accordance with transmission power when the low power node transmits a CRS, data or a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) in the CoMP transmission mode for the user equipment on the first component carrier and the first coordination downlink path loss, second receiving power is obtained in accordance with linearly detected RSRP of the CRS of the low power node and the macro base station and the first receiving power, and the second coordination downlink path loss is obtained in accordance with transmission power when the macro base station transmits the CRS in the CoMP transmission mode for the user equipment on the first component carrier and the second receiving power.

(15) The method according to (13) or (14), wherein the uplink signal issued by the user equipment which takes the macro base station as the target receiving node includes a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

(16) A wireless communication device, adapted to communicate with a low power node and a macro base station with common baseband via a plurality of component carriers, the wireless communication device comprising: a receiving unit adapted to receive a downlink signal transmitted by the low power node and the macro base station; a transmitting unit adapted to transmit uplink signals to the low power node and the macro base station; and a control unit adapted to control the transmitting unit to transmit all of first uplink signals of the uplink signals to the low power node as a receiving node.

(17) The wireless communication device according to (16), wherein the first uplink signals include a PUCCH signal and/or a PUSCH signal.

(18) The wireless communication device according to (16) or (17), wherein in a case where carrier aggregation is performed between the low power node and the macro base station, the control unit releases association between an uplink primary component carrier and a downlink primary component carrier.

(19) The wireless communication device according to any one of (16) to (18), wherein the control unit sets an uplink component carrier of the low power node as the uplink primary component carrier.

(20) The wireless communication device according to any one of (16) to (19), wherein the receiving unit receives RRC signaling, MAC signaling or DCI of physical layer, to know the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node or recovery of the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier.

(21) The wireless communication device according to any one of (16) to (20), wherein in a case where the wireless communication device aggregates the plurality of component carriers on the low power node and the macro base station does not operate on the plurality of component carriers, the control unit selects by default a component carrier with highest or lowest frequency point from the plurality of component carriers as the uplink primary component carrier on the low power node.

(22) The wireless communication device according to any one of (16) to (20), wherein when the carrier aggregation between the low power node and the macro base station is terminated, the control unit recovers by default the association between the uplink primary component carrier and the downlink primary component carrier.

(23) The wireless communication device according to (16), wherein in a case where the macro base station and the low power node perform COMP transmission on a first component carrier and the low power node further communicates with the wireless communication device via a second component carrier, the wireless communication device further comprises an estimating unit configured to: estimate a first coordination downlink path loss when the low power node performs the CoMP transmission for the wireless communication device on the first component carrier, with reference to a separate downlink path loss occurring when the low power node transmits a downlink signal separately for the wireless communication device on the second component carrier; and estimate, based on the first coordination downlink path loss, a first uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the wireless communication device which takes the low power node as a target receiving node, to perform uplink signal transmission power compensation.

(24) The wireless communication device according to (23), wherein the estimating unit is further configured to: estimate a second coordination downlink path loss when the macro base station performs the CoMP transmission for the wireless communication device on the first component carrier, based on the first coordination downlink path loss; and estimate, based on the second coordination downlink path loss, a second uplink path loss of an uplink signal issued by the wireless communication device which takes the macro base station as a target receiving node, to perform the uplink signal transmission power compensation.

(25) A wireless communication system comprising: a macro base station; a low power node in common baseband with the macro base station; and a wireless communication device according to any one of (16) to (24) which communicates with the low power node and the macro base station via a plurality of component carriers.

(26) The wireless communication system according to (25), wherein the macro base station informs the wireless communication device of an uplink primary component carrier on the low power node or recovery of association between an uplink primary component carrier and a downlink primary component carrier via RRC signaling, MAC signaling or DCI of physical layer.

(1) A communication device operational in a communication system including a first node and a second node in common baseband with each other, the communication device comprising: circuitry configured to cause carrier aggregation between the first node and the second node with the first node and the second node in common baseband with each other, the carrier aggregation including: setting a downlink component carrier associated with the first node as a downlink primary component carrier, and setting an uplink component carrier associated with the second node as an uplink primary component carrier.

(2) The device according to (1), wherein the carrier aggregation includes transmitting, using the circuitry, at least one of uplink control signaling and data packets via the uplink primary component carrier associated with the second node.

(3) The device according to (1) or (2), wherein the carrier aggregation includes, prior to said setting the uplink component carrier, releasing association of the downlink primary component carrier from the uplink primary component carrier.

(4) The device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first node is a macro base station and the second node is a low power node (LPN).

(5) The device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first node operates at a first frequency and the second node operates at a second frequency greater than the first frequency.

(6) The device according to any one of (1) and (3) to (5), wherein the carrier aggregation includes transmitting, using the circuitry, uplink control signaling via the uplink primary component carrier associated with the second node to control transmissions between the device and the first node.

(7) The device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the carrier aggregation includes receiving, by the circuitry, designation information regarding the uplink primary component carrier via one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) signaling, or physical layer signaling.

(8) The device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the carrier aggregation includes aggregating multiple component carriers for the second node, and receiving, by the circuitry, information regarding designation of the uplink primary component carrier via one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) signaling, or physical layer signaling.

(9) The device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the carrier aggregation includes transmitting, using the circuitry, at least one of Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) signals and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) signals via the uplink primary component carrier associated with the second node.

(10) The device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the carrier aggregation includes transmitting, using the circuitry, all uplink control signaling via the uplink primary component carrier associated with the second node.

(11) A wireless communication method comprising: performing carrier aggregation, using a processor, between a first node and a second node with the first node and the second node in common baseband with each other, said carrier aggregation including: setting a downlink component carrier associated with the first node as a downlink primary component carrier, and setting an uplink component carrier associated with the second node as an uplink primary component carrier.

(12) The wireless communication method according to (11), wherein the carrier aggregation includes transmitting uplink control signaling via the uplink primary component carrier associated with the second node to control transmissions between the processor and the first node.

(13) The wireless communication method according to (11) or (12), wherein the carrier aggregation includes receiving designation information regarding the uplink primary component carrier via one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) signaling, or physical layer signaling.

(14) A wireless communication device for controlling uplink transmission power for Coordinate Multi-Point (COMP) transmission of a first node and a second node on a first component carrier at a first frequency, the device comprising: circuitry configured to receive a downlink signal from the second node on a second component carrier at a second frequency different from the first frequency, determine a first downlink path loss associated with receipt of the downlink signal from the second node on the second component carrier at the second frequency, estimate a second downlink path loss associated with the second node performing the CoMP transmission on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on the determined first downlink path loss, and estimate a first uplink path loss of a first uplink signal output from the device to the second node on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on the estimated second downlink path loss, to compensate uplink signal transmission power for the CoMP transmission.

(15) The device according to (14), wherein the uplink signal is one of a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) signal, Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) signal, and a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

(16) The device according to (14) or (15), wherein the circuitry is configured to compensate the uplink signal transmission power for COMP transmission to the second node on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on the first uplink path loss.

(17) The device according to any one of (14) to (16), wherein the circuitry is configured to compensate uplink signal transmission power for COMP transmission to the first node on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on determination of a third downlink path loss associated with receipt of a downlink signal from the first node on the first component carrier at the first frequency, and determination of a second uplink path loss of a second uplink signal output from the device to the first node on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on the third downlink path loss.

(18) The device according to any one of (14) to (17), when the CoMP transmission of the first node and the second node is according to CoMP scenario 4, receiving power associated with the first node is obtained by adding linearly detected reference signal receiving power of cell-specific reference signal of the first and second nodes to receiving power associated with the second node.

(19) The device according to any one of (14) to (17), wherein, when the CoMP transmission of the first node and the second node according to CoMP scenario 3, receiving power associated with the first node is obtained by subtracting linearly detected reference signal receiving power of cell-specific reference signal of the first and second nodes from receiving power associated with the second node.

(20) A wireless communication method for controlling uplink transmission power for Coordinate Multi-Point (COMP) transmission of a first node and a second node on a first component carrier at a first frequency, the method comprising: receiving a downlink signal from the second node on a second component carrier at a second frequency different from the first frequency, determining a first downlink path loss associated with receipt of the downlink signal from the second node on the second component carrier at the second frequency, estimating a second downlink path loss associated with the second node performing the CoMP transmission on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on the determined first downlink path loss, and estimating a first uplink path loss of a first uplink signal output from the device to the second node on the first component carrier at the first frequency based on the estimated second downlink path loss, to compensate uplink signal transmission power for the CoMP transmission.

Obviously, in the system and the method of the disclosure, individual components or individual steps may be decomposed and/or recombined. These decompositions and/or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions of the disclosure. Further, the steps for performing the series of processing described above may be performed naturally in time sequence illustrated herein, but are not necessary to be performed in the time sequence. Some steps may be performed in parallel or independently of each other.

Although the embodiments of the disclosure have been described above in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that, embodiments described above are only used for illustrating the disclosure, rather than limiting the disclosure. Various modifications and variants may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art without deviation from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is only defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.