Active set management for multiple-input multiple-output communications

A computer-implemented method comprising:

• determining a first metric that is a representation of a first signal strength level associated with a combination of a first active set in a plurality of active sets having a first quality and a second active set in the plurality of active sets, wherein the first active set groups together a node in a plurality of nodes and one or more user equipment (UE) with which the node communicates;
• determining a second metric that is a representation of a second signal strength level associated with a combination of the first active set and a third active set in the plurality of active sets;
• determining that the second metric is higher than the first metric;
• combining the first active set with the third active set to generate a combined active set;
• and
• determining, based at least in part on a number of available multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) dimensions in the combined active set or a level of interference within the combined active set, that the combined active set has a second quality different than the first quality.

Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a baseband unit, cause the baseband unit to:

• determine a number of available multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) dimensions in a first active set in a plurality of active sets, wherein the first active set groups together a node in a plurality of nodes and one or more user equipment (UE) with which the node communicates;
• determine a level of interference within the first active set;
• determine, based at least in part on the number of available MIMO dimensions in the first active set or the level of interference within the first active set, a quality of the first active set;
• determine one or more metrics based on the determined quality of the first active set, each metric associated with the first active set and an active set other than the first active set and that is a representation of a signal strength level;
• combine the first active set with an active set associated with a highest metric in the one or more metrics to generate a combined active set;
• and
• determine, based at least in part on a number of available MIMO dimensions in the combined active set and a level of interference within the combined active set, a quality of the combined active set.