Approaches for Spatial Beamforming

A method for spatial beamforming using a time-domain beamformer, the method comprising:

• sending a request for narrowband reference signaling having a bandwidth suitable for a narrowband receiver used for the time-domain beamformer;
• determining frequency-domain channel estimates per antenna port of the time-domain beamformer based on narrowband reference signaling received in accordance with the request, wherein:
• the received narrowband reference signaling comprises a plurality of reference signaling occasions distributed over a reference signaling time window,
• each reference signaling occasion comprises reference signaling with a reference signaling bandwidth and a respective center frequency, and
• the reference signaling bandwidth is more narrow than a communication bandwidth for the spatial beamforming;
• and
• determining beamforming weights of the time-domain beamformer based on the frequency-domain channel estimates per antenna port of the time-domain beamformer.

An apparatus configured to perform spatial beamforming using a time-domain beamformer, the apparatus comprising controller circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to:

• send a request for narrowband reference signaling having a bandwidth suitable for a narrowband receiver used for the time-domain beamformer;
• determine frequency-domain channel estimates per antenna port of the time-domain beamformer based on narrowband reference signaling received in accordance with the request, wherein:
• the received narrowband reference signaling comprises a plurality of reference signaling occasions distributed over a reference signaling time window,
• each reference signaling occasion comprises reference signaling with a reference signaling bandwidth and a respective center frequency, and
• the reference signaling bandwidth is more narrow than a communication bandwidth for the spatial beamforming;
• and
• determine beamforming weights of the time-domain beamformer based on the frequency-domain channel estimates per antenna port of the time-domain beamformer.