3D MIMO Channel Quality Reporting via Vertical Cycling Beamforming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently reporting channel quality information for three-dimensional (3D) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmissions, particularly in managing vertical beamforming and precoding in LTE systems, which affects data transmission quality and diversity gain.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to calculate and report channel quality information by receiving information for vertical cycling beamforming, assuming different vertical beamforming is circularly applied in a predetermined resource unit, and processing this information to efficiently determine channel quality for 3D MIMO transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vertical beamforming and precoding are implemented for 3D MIMO transmissions, then data transmission quality and diversity gain are improved, but the complexity of calculating and reporting channel quality information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidchannel quality information processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel quality information reporting into multiple components: separate reporting of channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and rank indicator (RI) for different vertical beamforming scenarios. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex 3D MIMO channel quality assessment by breaking it down into manageable reporting elements that can be processed independently and then combined.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends traditional 2D MIMO channel quality reporting to 3D MIMO by adding the vertical dimension. It introduces vertical beamforming indices and vertical precoding matrix indicators alongside traditional horizontal dimensions, creating a three-dimensional channel quality information structure that captures channel characteristics in elevation, azimuth, and spatial dimensions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple vertical beamforming schemes are cycled through in predetermined resource units, then diversity gain is improved, but the time and computational resources required for channel quality reporting increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediversity gainVSAvoidchannel quality information processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic cycling through multiple vertical beamforming schemes within predetermined resource units. The system cycles through different vertical precoding matrices and beamforming vectors in a periodic manner, allowing the receiver to assess channel quality under multiple beamforming conditions systematically. This periodic action ensures diversity gain while maintaining a structured and predictable reporting rhythm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary channel quality assessments for multiple vertical beamforming schemes before final reporting. The receiver pre-calculates channel quality metrics for different vertical beamforming configurations and stores them for comparison, selecting the best configuration for reporting. This preliminary action reduces real-time processing requirements during actual data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3269049B1Method and apparatus for reporting channel quality information for 3D MIMO in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3269049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3269049B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3269049B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein a method of, at a user equipment (UE), reporting channel quality information for three-dimensional (3D) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission to a base station in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving information for vertical cycling beamforming from the base station, calculating the channel quality information using the information for the vertical cycling beamforming, on the assumption that different vertical beamforming is circularly applied in a predetermined resource unit to receive a downlink signal, and reporting the calculated channel quality information to the base station.