Methods and communication systems having adaptive mode selection

A method for selecting a transmission mode for a transceiver in a communications system, the method comprising:

• calculating a first transmission rate for data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of the communications system based, at least in part, on an energy-optimized rate for data in the MIMO mode, wherein the energy-optimized rate is based, at least in part, on a power consumption of circuitry coupled to a plurality of antennas at the transceiver when the communications system is configured to transmit in the MIMO mode, wherein the energy-optimized rate is further based, at least in part, on a power consumption of the transceiver during an idle time;
• calculating a second transmission rate for the data in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode of the communications system;
• and
• selecting the transmission mode based, at least in part, on an energy consumption of the transceiver associated with the first and second transmission rates, wherein the selected transmission mode corresponds to either the MIMO mode or the SIMO mode.

A method for selecting a transmission mode for a transceiver in a communications system, the method comprising:

• calculating a first transmission rate for data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of the communications system based, at least in part, on an energy-optimized rate for data in the MIMO mode, wherein the energy-optimized rate is based, at least in part, on a power consumption of circuitry coupled to a plurality of antennas at the transceiver when the communications system is configured to transmit in the MIMO mode, wherein calculating the first transmission rate comprises selecting a maximum rate from the energy-optimized rate and a target rate, wherein the target rate is based, at least in part, on an average throughput for the communications system;
• calculating a second transmission rate for the data in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode of the communications system;
• and
• selecting the transmission mode based, at least in part, on an energy consumption of the transceiver associated with the first and second transmission rates, wherein the selected transmission mode corresponds to either the MIMO mode or the SIMO mode.

A method for selecting a transmission mode for a transceiver in a communications system, the method comprising:

• calculating a first transmission rate for data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of the communications system;
• calculating a second transmission rate for the data in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode of the communications system, wherein calculating the second transmission rate comprises calculating the second transmission rate based, at least in part, on an energy-optimized rate for data in the SIMO mode, wherein calculating the second transmission rate comprises selecting a maximum rate from the energy-optimized rate and a target rate, wherein the target rate is based, at least in part, on an average throughput for the communications systems;
• and
• selecting the transmission mode based, at least in part, on an energy consumption of the transceiver associated with the first and second transmission rates, wherein the selected transmission mode corresponds to either the MIMO mode or the SIMO mode.

A method for selecting a transmission mode for a transceiver in a communications system, the method comprising:

• calculating a first transmission rate for data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of the communications system;
• calculating a second transmission rate for the data in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode of the communications system;
• selecting the transmission mode based, at least in part, on an energy consumption of the transceiver associated with the first and second transmission rates, wherein the transmission mode corresponds to either the MIMO mode or the SIMO mode;
• and
• selecting an identity of a single antenna at the transceiver for use in the SIMO mode when the selected transmission mode corresponds to the SIMO mode.

A base station for use in communicating over a communications channel, the base station comprising:

• a rate selector configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a first transmission rate for data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of the communications system, wherein the rate selector is further configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a second transmission rate for data in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode of the communications system;
• a mode selector coupled to the rate selector, wherein the mode selector is configured to receive the first and second signals, and select a transmission mode based, at least in part, on an energy consumption of a transmitter associated with the first and second transmission rates, wherein the transmission mode corresponds to either the MIMO mode or the SIMO mode;
• and
• the transmitter coupled to the mode selector, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a third signal to a transceiver in the communications system, wherein the third signal identifies the selected transmission mode for the transceiver, wherein, when the selected mode is the SIMO mode, the transmitter is further configured to transmit a fourth signal corresponding to an identity of a single antenna for use in the SIMO mode.

A base station for use in communicating over a communications channel, the base station comprising:

• a rate selector configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a first transmission rate for data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode of the communications system, wherein the rate selector is further configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a second transmission rate for data in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode of the communications system, wherein the rate selector comprises a MIMO rate selector configured to calculate the first transmission rate based, at least in part, on an energy-optimized rate for data in the MIMO mode wherein the MIMO rate selector is configured to receive a signal indicative of a power consumption of circuitry coupled to a plurality of antennas at the transceiver, and wherein the MIMO rate selector is further configured to receive a signal indicative of a power consumption of the transceiver during an idle time;
• a mode selector coupled to the rate selector, wherein the mode selector is configured to receive the first and second signals, and select a transmission mode based, at least in part, on an energy consumption of a transmitter associated with the first and second transmission rates, wherein the transmission mode corresponds to either the MIMO mode or the SIMO mode, wherein the energy-optimized rate is based, at least in part, on the power consumption of circuitry coupled to the plurality of antennas at the transceiver configured to transmit in the MIMO mode, and wherein the energy-optimized rate is further based, at least in part, on the power consumption of the transceiver during the idle time;
• and
• the transmitter coupled to the mode selector, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a third signal to a transceiver in the communications system, wherein the third signal identifies the selected transmission mode for the transceiver.

A mobile station for use in a communications system comprising:

• a first antenna and a second antenna;
• first circuitry coupled to the first antenna and configured to process signals for transmission by the first antenna;
• second circuitry coupled to the second antenna and configured to process signals for transmission by the second antenna;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first and second circuitry, wherein the controller is configured to receive a control signal and, in accordance with the control signal, to select between a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode wherein both the first and second antennas transmit data over a communications channel and a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode wherein only one of the first and second antennas transmit data over a communications channel, wherein the control signal is based, at least in part, on a power consumption of the first and second circuitry, wherein the control signal is based, at least in part, on an idle power consumption of the mobile station.

A mobile station for use in a communications system comprising:

• a first antenna and a second antenna;
• first circuitry coupled to the first antenna and configured to process signals for transmission by the first antenna;
• second circuitry coupled to the second antenna and configured to process signals for transmission by the second antenna;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first and second circuitry, wherein the controller is configured to receive a control signal and, in accordance with the control signal, to select between a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode wherein both the first and second antennas transmit data over a communications channel and a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode wherein only one of the first and second antennas transmit data over a communications channel, wherein the control signal is based, at least in part, on a power consumption of the first and second circuitry, wherein the control signal is based, at least in part, on a number of users of the communications system.