Adaptive MU-MIMO Precoding for Channel Quality Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large-scale MIMO wireless communication systems, accurately estimating channel quality information (CQI) and adaptively selecting precoding methods to mitigate multi-user interference and hardware impairments is challenging due to CSI errors and system limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method for estimating MU-MIMO CQI from SU-MIMO CQI, using formulas for Conjugate Beamforming and Zero-Forcing precoding, and adaptively choosing precoding methods based on estimated CQI values to maximize sum rate, while accounting for CSI errors and hardware impairments through Hardware Impairment Parameters and Current Temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Conjugate Beamforming precoding is applied to improve array gain when channel quality is poor, then receive signal quality is enhanced, but multi-user interference increases and system throughput deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceive signal qualityVSAvoidsystem throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the precoding method based on real-time channel quality conditions. When channel quality is poor, Conjugate Beamforming is applied to enhance array gain and receive signal quality. When channel quality is good, Zero-Forcing precoding is applied to eliminate multi-user interference and maximize throughput. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by selecting the appropriate precoding strategy according to operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If Zero-Forcing precoding is applied to eliminate multi-user interference and enhance system throughput, then system throughput is improved, but receive signal quality deteriorates when channel quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidreceive signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between Zero-Forcing and Conjugate Beamforming precoding based on channel quality assessment. When channel quality is good, Zero-Forcing is employed to maximize throughput by eliminating multi-user interference. When channel quality deteriorates, the system transitions to Conjugate Beamforming to ensure adequate receive signal quality through array gain enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If adaptive precoding selection is implemented to maximize sum rate, then system throughput is enhanced, but system complexity increases due to CQI estimation and comparison requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesum rateVSAvoidprecoding selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where User Equipment reports Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) measurements to the Base Station. The Base Station uses these CQI values to estimate channel quality and determine the appropriate precoding method. This feedback-driven approach enables adaptive precoding selection that maximizes sum rate while managing complexity through structured CQI-based decision rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex real-time channel analysis and simulation with simplified CQI-based threshold comparisons. Instead of performing exhaustive calculations to determine optimal precoding, the system uses pre-defined CQI thresholds and comparison logic to select between Conjugate Beamforming and Zero-Forcing precoding, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If CQI estimation is performed to enable adaptive precoding selection, then precoding accuracy is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase due to CSI errors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCQI estimation accuracyVSAvoidCSI estimation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system compensates for inevitable CSI errors by using robust CQI estimation methods that account for measurement uncertainties. The Base Station receives CQI reports from multiple UEs and uses these to estimate channel quality with built-in margins that cushion against estimation errors. This approach ensures reliable precoding selection even when CSI measurements contain errors due to limited feedback bandwidth or measurement noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3085042B1Adaptive precoding in a MIMO wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 LIANG PING
  • EP3085042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3085042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3085042B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention presents methods for estimating MU-MIMO channel information using SU-MIMO channel information to choose a modulation and channel coding appropriate for the quality of the MU-MIMO channels, for adaptively selecting MU-MIMO precoding methods based on estimations of a plural of UEs and for compensating hardware impairments in MU-MIMO precoding.