Performing multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) in wireless networks
AssigneeSprint Spectrum L.P.
InventorsSreekar Marupaduga, Rajveen Narendran
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Abstract
Allocating resources in a wireless network utilizing SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO modes of operation includes determining an increase in a resource usage of MU-MIMO wireless devices and responsive to the determining, reducing an allocation of resources for one or more SU-MIMO wireless devices. These operations may be performed based on determining that a load level associated with a serving access node rises to meet a threshold.
Claims17
A method for performing multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) in a wireless network, the method comprising:
- monitoring one or more transmission characteristics associated with the wireless network, wherein the one or more transmission characteristics comprise at least noise levels associated with one or more existing MU-MIMO groups within a sector of an access node in the wireless network;
- determining a pairing efficiency metric of the sector based at least on the noise levels, wherein the pairing efficiency metric comprises a number representing a plurality of MU-MIMO groups exhibiting a noise level below a predetermined threshold;
- monitoring the pairing efficiency metric at predetermined time intervals;
- and
- adjusting a maximum number of wireless devices within the sector eligible to participate in MU-MIMO at the predetermined time intervals based at least on the noise levels such that the pairing efficiency metric is optimized,
- wherein the maximum number of wireless devices within the sector eligible to participate in MU-MIMO further comprises one or both of a maximum average number of wireless devices per MU-MIMO group or a maximum number of MU-MIMO groups.
A system for performing multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) in a wireless network, the system comprising:
- a processing node;
- and
- a processor coupled to the processing node, the processor being configured to perform operations comprising:
- monitoring one or more transmission characteristics associated with a sector in the wireless network, wherein the one or more transmission characteristics comprise at least noise levels associated with one or more existing MU-MIMO groups within a sector of an access node in the wireless network;
- determining a pairing efficiency metric of the sector based at least on the noise levels, wherein the pairing efficiency metric comprises a number representing a plurality of MU-MIMO groups exhibiting a noise level below a predetermined threshold;
- monitoring the pairing efficiency metric at predetermined time intervals;
- and
- adjusting a maximum number of wireless devices within the sector eligible to participate in MU-MIMO at the predetermined time intervals based at least on the noise levels such that the pairing efficiency metric is optimized,
- wherein the maximum number of wireless devices participating in MU-MIMO further comprises one or both of a maximum average number of wireless devices per MU-MIMO group or a maximum number of MU-MIMO groups.
A processing node for performing multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) in a wireless network, the processing node being configured to perform operations comprising:
- determining a historical trend of MU-MIMO gains within a sector of the wireless network;
- measuring one or more signal characteristics comprising at least noise levels of MU-MIMO signals within the sector;
- determining a pairing efficiency metric of the sector based on the noise levels, wherein the pairing efficiency metric comprises a number representing a plurality of MU-MIMO groups exhibiting a noise level below a predetermined threshold;
- monitoring the pairing efficiency metric at predetermined time intervals;
- and
- based on a combination of the historical trend and the noise levels, adjusting a maximum number of wireless devices located in the sector eligible to participate in MU-MIMO at the predetermined time intervals such that the pairing efficiency metric is optimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.