Systems and Methods for Scheduling Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Pilot Channels
Transitioning from basic higher order MIMO channel estimation to enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation (and vice-versa) can be accomplished through the signaling of high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) orders to next-generation user equipments (UEs). A base station can be configured to send an HS-SCCH order indicating activation of scheduled pilot channels, and then begin transmitting the scheduled pilot channels after receiving an ACK message from at least one next-generation UE. A base station can also be configured to send an HS-SCCH order indicating de-activation of scheduled pilot channels to next-generation UEs scheduled for downlink transmission, and then stop transmitting the scheduled pilot channels after receiving ACK messages from each next-generation UE. Alternatively, scheduled pilot channels may be activated/de-activated without receiving an ACK message from some or all of the next-generation UEs scheduled for downlink transmission.
This application is a Continuation U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/523,316 filed on Oct. 27, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,461,795 titled “Systems and Methods for Scheduling Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Pilot Channels,” which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/629,280 filed on Sep. 27, 2012, titled “Systems and Methods for Scheduling Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Pilot Channels,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,885,590, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/648,961 filed on May 18, 2012, titled “Systems and Methods for Scheduling MIMO HSDPA Pilot Channels,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to systems and methods for wireless communications, and, in particular embodiments, to systems and methods for scheduling multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) pilot channels.
BACKGROUNDIn high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) release eleven (rel-11), a 4-branch multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) transmission scheme is introduced at the Node B (NB) to support transmission of multiple data streams over multiple antennas. Specifically, the 4-branch MIMO transmission scheme multiplexes multiple transport blocks into two data streams, which are transmitted over four spatial layers. The NB will also transmit four common pilots (CPICH1, CPICH2, CPICH3 and CPICH4) over the four transmit antennas to provide 4-branch MIMO channel estimation for 4-branch MIMO capable user equipments (UEs). UEs configured for higher order MIMO (e.g., higher than 2-branch MIMO) are referred to herein as next-generation UEs. As discussed herein, the terms ‘higher order MIMO’ and ‘multi-branch MIMO’ are used synonymously, and refer to any MIMO technique utilizing more than two transmission branches.
One consideration for the higher order MIMO transmission scheme is the increased inter-channel interference experienced by legacy user equipments (UEs) as a result of transmitting the multiple common pilots. Specifically, UEs lacking higher order MIMO functionality (referred to herein as legacy UEs) may not possess the means (e.g., Walsh codes, sufficient number of receive antennas, etc.) for demodulating the multiple common pilots, and consequently may view the common pilots as interference in the code division multiple access (CDMA) downlink channel. To mitigate the interference experienced by legacy UEs, the multiple common pilots may maintain a low transmit-power level. However, in some instances, the low-transmit power of the multiple common pilot channels will not provide sufficiently accurate higher order MIMO channel estimation for the next-generation UEs. Since increasing the transmit-power of the common pilots is undesirable in so far as it would increase the interference experienced by legacy UEs, other mechanisms for improving higher order MIMO channel estimation for next-generation UEs without significantly increasing the interference experienced by legacy UEs are desired.
SUMMARYTechnical advantages are generally achieved, by embodiments of the present invention which describe systems and methods for scheduling MIMO HSDPA pilot channels.
In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, a method for facilitating channel estimation is provided. In this example, the method comprises transmitting multiple common pilot channels over multiple transmit antennas to one or more next-generation user equipments (UEs). The method further includes sending a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the one or more next-generation UEs, where the HS-SCCH order signals transmission of one or more scheduled pilot channels. In one embodiment, the method transmitting the one or more scheduled pilot channels upon receiving a first acknowledgement (ACK) message from a first one of the next-generation UEs. In another embodiment, the method includes transmitting the one or more scheduled pilots when no ACK messages are received after expiration of a timeout period. The one or more scheduled pilots may be transmitted upon scheduling at least one of the one or more next-generation UEs to receive a downstream transmission after expiration of the timeout period. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the one or more scheduled pilot channels are transmitted concurrently with the multiple common pilot channels. Apparatus for performing the above-mentioned methods are also provided.
In accordance with other embodiments, a method for transitioning from enhanced multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) channel estimation to basic MIMO channel estimation is provided. In this example, the method comprises simultaneously transmitting multiple common pilot channels and one or more scheduled pilot channels to one or more next-generation UEs. The method further includes sending an HS-SCCH order to the one or more next-generation UEs. The HSDPA order signals de-activation of the one or more scheduled pilot channels. In one embodiment, the method further includes de-activating transmission of the one or more scheduled pilot channels upon receiving ACK messages from each of the one or more next-generation UEs. In another embodiment, the method further includes de-activating transmission of the one or more scheduled pilot channels when downstream data transmission to any of the next-generation UEs stops. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes dis-continuing transmission of the one or more scheduled pilot channels upon expiration of a timeout period. Apparatus for performing the above-mentioned methods are also provided.
In select embodiments, power allocation for the common pilots may be lower than power allocation for the scheduled pilots. The scheduled pilots may be selectively transmitted when enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation for demodulation is desired. Enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation may enable next-generation UEs to perform demodulation, thereby allowing downlink MIMO transmission and increasing the bit-rate of the downlink transmission. The scheduled pilots may be selectively not transmitted when enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation for demodulation is not desired, or when higher order MIMO channel estimation obtained from processing the common pilots only is sufficient for demodulation. Channel estimation derived from the common pilots only is referred to as basic higher order MIMO channel estimation. Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) MIMO systems and devices, such as UMTS NodeBs and UEs that support HSDPA higher-order MIMO, where higher-order MIMO refers to more than 2 transmission branches.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the various embodiments of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTSThe making and using of the presently presented embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.
One alternative to increasing the transmit power of the common pilots is to transmit one or more additional pilot channels contemporaneously with the common pilots, while continuing to maintain the common pilots at a low-transmit power. These additional pilot channels are commonly known as scheduled common pilot channels (or demodulation pilots), and are referred to herein as scheduled pilots (for short). Hence, the terms ‘scheduled common pilot channels’, ‘demodulation pilots’, and ‘scheduled pilots’ may be used synonymously herein. These one or more scheduled pilots are transmitted over the same transmit antennas used to transmit the common pilots, and serve to augment the higher order MIMO channel estimation provided by the common pilots.
Sufficiently accurate higher order MIMO channel estimation may be provided by transmitting the scheduled pilots together with the common pilots, even while maintaining a relatively low transmit power level for the common pilots (e.g., in order to mitigate the interference experience by legacy UEs). The scheduled pilots are selectively transmitted by the NB to provide accurate channel estimation by next-generation UEs, while the common pilots are transmitted by the NB continuously to allow migrating UEs to perform channel estimation upon entering the NB's coverage area. Selectively transmitting the scheduled pilots includes activating (i.e., transmitting) the scheduled pilots during some periods (e.g., when next-generation UEs are scheduled to receive downlink transmissions, etc.), while deactivating the scheduled pilots during other periods (e.g., to mitigate the interference experienced by legacy UEs when next-generation UEs are not receiving data or are not present in the NB s coverage area, etc.).
Before activating/de-activating the scheduled pilots, the NB may need to send downlink control signaling to next-generation UEs so that the next-generation UEs can modify their channel estimation/de-modulation settings accordingly. For instance, if the scheduled pilots are being activated, then the next-generation UE may need to re-configure its channel estimation technique to one that utilizes both common and scheduled pilots. Conversely, if the scheduled pilots are being deactivated, then the next-generation UE may need to re-configure its channel estimation technique to one that utilizes the common pilots (but does not rely on the scheduled pilots). The NB may elect to activate/de-activate the scheduled pilots in accordance with one or more factors. For instance, the NB may activate the scheduled pilots only when next-generation UEs are scheduled for downstream data transmission, or when transmitting at a certain data rate and/or with certain modulation.
However, there may be some instances where de-activating (i.e., not transmitting) the scheduled pilots is desirable even when the next-generation UEs are present in the NB's coverage area. For instance, if the ratio of legacy UEs to next-generation UEs is high, then the performance benefits derived from improved higher order MIMO channel estimation may be outweighed by the interference costs borne by the legacy UEs as a result of transmitting the scheduled pilots. Accordingly, a mechanism for selectively de-activating scheduled pilots when next-generation UEs are scheduled to receive downlink transmissions is desired.
Aspects of this disclosure provide mechanisms for selectively activating and de-activating scheduled pilots, as well as signaling protocol for supporting the selective activation and de-activation of pilots. Advantageously, the mechanisms allow for scheduled pilots to be transmitted or not transmitted at the discretion of the NB. Further, the signaling protocol ensures that higher order MIMO service is not interrupted, by requiring one or a series of acknowledgements (ACKs) before activating or deactivating the transmission of the scheduled pilots.
Aspects of the disclosure provide a mechanism (and supporting signaling) for activating the scheduled pilots while next-generation UEs are scheduled to receive downlink transmissions, when doing so is considered advantageous by the network. Other aspects of the disclosure provide a mechanism (and supporting signaling) for de-activating the scheduled pilots. Situations in which de-activating scheduled pilots is advantageous may include situations where the performance benefits derived from improved higher order MIMO channel estimation are outweighed by the interference costs borne by the legacy UEs. For instance, the scheduled pilots may be de-activated to maximize network throughput, or to provide better cell-edge coverage to legacy UEs.
Markedly, the scheduled pilots are selectively activated/de-activated, meaning that they are transmitted (or not-transmitted) depending on network conditions (e.g., load, downlink service requirements, channel conditions, etc.).
Signaling for suppression (or introduction) of the scheduled pilots may be performed via the HSDPA Shared Control CHannel (HS-SCCH).
In an embodiment, the NB 702 may not receive an ACK from each next-generation UE. In such embodiments, the NB 702 may continue to transmit the scheduled pilots so long as at least one next-generation UE is scheduled to receive downlink data transmissions. Once all next-generation UEs have either provided an ACK, or stopped receiving downlink data transmissions, the NB 702 may de-activate the scheduled pilots.
In an embodiment, the NB 802 may not receive an ACK from each next-generation UE to which an HS-SCCH order was sent. This does not affect the NB's 802 activation of the scheduled pilots because the NB is configured to begin transmitting the scheduled pilots as soon as the first ACK is received, and therefore does not need to receive an ACK from every next-generation UE before activating the scheduled pilots. In another embodiment, the NB 802 may not receive an ACK from any of the next-generation UEs to which an HS-SCCH order was sent. In such embodiments, the NB will wait for ACK reception, and after a certain configurable time period (e.g., a time-out period), the NB will activate the scheduled pilots when starting the transmission of the downlink data channels.
HS-SCCH orders may be defined in 3GPP Technical Specifications 25.212, and may be used by the NB to order a UE action. Tables 1 and 2 illustrate examples of HS-SCCH orders that may be used to signal the change in the transmission of the pilot channels.
Table 1 provides a first example of an HS-SCCH order to be used for pilot channel signaling. Some orders may be presently used to achieve uplink (UL) closed-loop transmit diversity (CLTD), and can be also re-used for scheduled pilot activation/de-activation signaling. Unused orders may be used for scheduled pilot activation/de-activation signaling. Table 2 provides a second example of HS-SCCH order to be used for pilot channel signaling. In Table 2 a new order type is used, and any of the unused orders can be used for scheduled pilot activation/de-activation signaling.
In an embodiment, a NB may transmit common pilot channels at all times. In the same or other embodiments, the NB may stop transmitting scheduled pilots and the next-generation UEs perform basic higher order MIMO channel estimation; and the NB may transmit scheduled pilots when the next-generation UEs perform enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation. Signaling related to transitioning to/from enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation is discussed above. In such signaling, the ACK messages and the HS-SCCH orders may generally have arbitrary timings.
In some embodiments, some scheduled pilots may be non-precoded pilots, and may be controlled by the network. HS-SCCH orders may be used to change the activation status of scheduled pilots (including scheduled non-precoded pilots). If activated, scheduled pilots may be scheduled together with HS-PDSCH of a UE configured for 4 branch MIMO. In some embodiments, a NB may wait to receive ACKs of the HS-SCCH order before activating/deactivating the scheduled pilots. In some embodiments, at least one scheduled non-precoded pilots are supported. In other embodiments, two or more scheduled non-precoded pilots are supported. In embodiments, the spreading code indices and power offsets for newly defined pilots are configured using RRC signaling. In embodiments, a third and fourth common pilot may use a common power offset, and the two scheduled non-precoded pilots may also use a common power offset. Although aspects of this disclosure are generally discussed in the context of higher order or higher order MIMO (e.g., 4-branch MIMO, etc.), principles discussed herein may also be applicable to other types of network configurations where additional pilot channels are activated/de-activated by means of HS-SCCH orders.
The mass storage device may comprise any type of storage device configured to store data, programs, and other information and to make the data, programs, and other information accessible via the bus. The mass storage device may comprise, for example, one or more of a solid state drive, hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, or the like. The video adapter and the I/O interface provide interfaces to couple external input and output devices to the processing unit. As illustrated, examples of input and output devices include the display coupled to the video adapter and the mouse/keyboard/printer coupled to the I/O interface. Other devices may be coupled to the processing unit, and additional or fewer interface cards may be utilized. For example, a serial interface such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) (not shown) may be used to provide an interface for a printer.
The processing unit also includes one or more network interfaces, which may comprise wired links, such as an Ethernet cable or the like, and/or wireless links to access nodes or different networks. The network interface allows the processing unit to communicate with remote units via the networks. For example, the network interface may provide wireless communication via one or more transmitters/transmit antennas and one or more receivers/receive antennas. In an embodiment, the processing unit is coupled to a local-area network or a wide-area network for data processing and communications with remote devices, such as other processing units, the Internet, remote storage facilities, or the like.
While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.
Claims
1. A method for communicating pilot signaling, the method comprising:
- transmitting, by an node B (NodeB), common pilots to at least one user equipment (UE) on a plurality of first antenna ports;
- transmitting, by the NodeB, a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the at least one UE, the HS-SCCH order indicating that the NodeB will begin transmitting scheduled pilots;
- receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the at least one UE; and
- responsive to receiving the ACK message, transmitting, by the NodeB, the scheduled pilots on at least one second antenna port to the at least one UE.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- ceasing, by the NodeB, transmission of the scheduled pilots when pilot channel signaling has been de-activated through the HS-SCCH orders.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the scheduled pilots comprises:
- transmitting de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling on the at least one second antenna port.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the HS-SCCH order includes orders for activating or deactivating de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the HS-SCCH orders for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling are UE-specific.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling comprises:
- sending, by the NodeB, an HS-SCCH frame containing an order for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling.
7. A node B (NodeB) adapted to operate in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) mode with four transmit antennas operating in a High-Speed Downlink Shared channel (HS-DSCH) a cell, the NodeB comprising:
- a processor; and
- a computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions for: transmitting common pilots to at least one user equipment (UE) on a plurality of first antenna ports; transmitting a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the at least one UE, the HS-SCCH order indicating that the NodeB will begin transmitting scheduled pilots; receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the at least one UE; and responsive to receiving the ACK message, transmitting the scheduled pilots on at least one second antenna port to the at least one UE.
8. The NodeB of claim 7, wherein the programming further comprises instructions for:
- ceasing, by the NodeB, transmission of the scheduled pilots when pilot channel signaling has been de-activated through the HS-SCCH orders.
9. The NodeB of claim 7, wherein transmitting the scheduled pilots comprises:
- transmitting de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling on the at least one second antenna port.
10. The NodeB of claim 7, wherein the HS-SCCH order includes orders for activating or deactivating de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling.
11. The NodeB of claim 10, wherein the HS-SCCH orders for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling are UE-specific.
12. The NodeB of claim 11, wherein activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling comprises:
- sending, by the NodeB, an HS-SCCH frame containing an order for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions for execution in a an node B (NodeB), that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
- transmitting common pilots to at least one user equipment (UE) on a plurality of first antenna ports;
- transmitting a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the at least one UE, the HS-SCCH order indicating that the NodeB will begin transmitting scheduled pilots;
- receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the at least one UE; and
- responsive to receiving the ACK message, transmitting the scheduled pilots on at least one second antenna port to the at least one UE.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
- ceasing, by the NodeB, transmission of the scheduled pilots when pilot channel signaling has been de-activated through the HS-SCCH orders.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13, wherein transmitting the scheduled pilots comprises:
- transmitting de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling on the at least one second antenna port.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13, wherein the HS-SCCH order includes orders for activating or deactivating de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein the HS-SCCH orders for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling are UE-specific.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling comprises:
- sending, by the NodeB, an HS-SCCH frame containing an order for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 3, 2016
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2017
Inventors: Carmela Cozzo (San Diego, CA), Zongjie Wang (Shanghai)
Application Number: 15/283,640