Antenna Array Pilot Mapping for Reduced Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active antenna systems for 3D beamforming in 4G systems face increased pilot signal overhead due to a large number of antennas, which hampers the efficiency of channel state information acquisition and throughput improvement.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station maps specific preset antennas to pilot signals and sends antenna configuration information to a terminal, allowing the terminal to calculate and feed back channel state information of second preset antennas, reducing the need to map all antennas to pilot signals and thereby decreasing pilot overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all antennas in the antenna array are mapped to pilot signals, then channel state information can be obtained for all antennas, but pilot signal overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into two groups: first preset antennas that are mapped to pilot signals, and second preset antennas that are not directly mapped. This segmentation allows the system to obtain channel state information for all antennas through a combination of direct measurement (first group) and calculation/interpolation (second group), thereby reducing pilot overhead while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces antenna configuration information as an intermediary element that contains pattern information of both first and second preset antennas. This intermediary allows the terminal to calculate channel state information for second preset antennas based on pilot signals received from first preset antennas, eliminating the need for direct pilot mapping to all antennas while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If a large quantity of antennas is used in the antenna array, then 3D beamforming performance is improved, but pilot signal overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large antenna array into first preset antennas (mapped to pilots) and second preset antennas (not mapped). This allows the system to maintain a large number of antennas for improved 3D beamforming and throughput while reducing pilot overhead by only mapping a subset of antennas to pilot signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the terminal to calculate channel state information for second preset antennas by copying/interpolating from the channel state information obtained from first preset antennas. This copying approach allows the system to effectively utilize all antennas for beamforming without requiring direct pilot signals for each antenna, thus maintaining productivity while reducing overhead.
3Loss of information
If all antennas are mapped to pilot signals, then complete channel state information is obtained, but system overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments antenna mapping into two parts: first preset antennas mapped to pilots for direct measurement, and second preset antennas not mapped for calculated information. This segmentation ensures channel state information completeness for all antennas while reducing system overhead by avoiding redundant pilot mappings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses antenna configuration information as an intermediary that provides pattern information enabling the terminal to calculate channel state information for second preset antennas. This intermediary mechanism ensures information completeness without requiring direct pilot mapping to all antennas, thereby reducing system overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for acquiring channel information, an apparatus, and a system, relate to the communications field, and can reduce overhead of pilot signals in a process of acquiring channel state information. Specific solutions are as follows: A base station selects first preset antennas from an antenna array, maps the first preset antennas to pilot signals, and sends the pilot signals and antenna configuration information to a terminal, and the terminal obtains channel state information of second preset antennas by means of calculation according to the pilot signals and the antenna configuration information. The present invention is specifically used for acquiring channel state information.