US 2016/0365902 A1 · METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANNEL ESTIMATION IN MASSIVE MIMO SYSTEMS WITH DYNAMIC TRAINING DESIGN

Abstract

This invention is concerned with estimating a massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel. In one embodiment, the transmit antennas are first partitioned into antenna groups each comprising a subset of the transmit antennas such that a pre-determined level of channel-estimation accuracy is attainable. For each antenna group, training signals for estimating a group of channels associated with the antenna group are determined. In particular, the number of the antenna groups, the subset of the transmit antennas for forming the antenna group, and the training signals for the antenna group are determined based on spatial correlations of the massive MINO channel, a maximum allowable total number of training signals and a transmit signal-to-noise ratio such that the pre-determined level of channel-estimation accuracy is achievable. Advantageously, the number of antenna groups is determined by identifying a highest number of antenna groups under a constraint that the pre-determined level is achievable.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for estimating a massive MIMO channel on which a first communication device having plural transmit antennas communicates with a second communication device having a single receive antenna, the massive MIMO channel having a channel covariance matrix that characterizes spatial correlations among the transmit antennas, the method comprising:

partitioning, by the first communication device, the transmit antennas into plural antenna groups each comprising a subset of the transmit antennas such that a pre-determined level of channel-estimation accuracy is attained;
and
for an individual antenna group, determining, by the first communication device, one or more training signals for estimating a group of channels associated with the subset of the transmit antennas belonging to the individual antenna group;
wherein the number of the antenna groups, the subset of the transmit antennas for forming the individual antenna group, and the one or more training signals for the individual antenna group are determined based on the spatial correlations, a maximum allowable total number of training signals and a transmit signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) such that the pre-determined level of channel-estimation accuracy is achieved.

1 more element

A base station (BS) for communicating with a user equipment (UE), the BS comprising plural radio antennas, a radio transceiving unit coupled to the radio antennas, and one or more processors configured to execute a process for estimating a massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel when the radio antennas are configured to be transmit antennas to enable the BS to communicate with the UE and when the UE is configured to have one receive antenna, the process comprising:

partitioning the transmit antennas into plural antenna groups each comprising a subset of the transmit antennas such that a pre-determined level of channel-estimation accuracy is attained;
and
for an individual antenna group, determining one or more training signals for estimating a group of channels associated with the subset of the transmit antennas belonging to the individual antenna group;
wherein the number of the antenna groups, the subset of the transmit antennas for forming the individual antenna group, and the one or more training signals for the individual antenna group are determined based on the spatial correlations, a maximum allowable total number of training signals and a transmit signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) such that the pre-determined level of channel-estimation accuracy is achieved.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for channel estimation in massive mimo systems with dynamic training design

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for channel estimation in massive mimo systems with dynamic training design

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19