Antenna Selection for Channel Sounding in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiple antenna systems using the Time Division Duplex (TDD) scheme, user terminals typically transmit channel sounding signals through a single antenna, limiting the base station's ability to acquire complete downlink channel information, which reduces data reception rates for user terminals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where user terminals estimate channels for each antenna, calculate received signal power, and select the antenna with the highest power to transmit channel sounding signals, allowing the base station to estimate channels and calculate beamforming weights for improved data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If user terminal transmits channel sounding signal through only one TX antenna, then power consumption is reduced, but channel information accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the user terminal transmit channel sounding signals through only one selected TX antenna rather than all available antennas. This reduces power consumption while still acquiring sufficient channel information for beamforming operations, accepting partial channel state feedback in exchange for energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of antenna selection by introducing RX signal power as a selection criterion. The user terminal estimates channels for each antenna, calculates RX signal power, and selects the antenna with highest RX signal power for transmitting the channel sounding signal, thereby optimizing the trade-off between power consumption and channel information quality.
2Device complexity
If user terminal uses only one TX antenna, then device complexity is reduced, but data reception rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from arbitrary or random antenna selection to antenna selection based on RX signal power metrics. This enables the system to identify and use the optimal antenna for channel sounding, improving the quality of channel information feedback and thereby enhancing data reception rate despite using only one TX antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The user terminal autonomously performs channel estimation, RX signal power calculation, and antenna selection without requiring complex base station coordination. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective channel information acquisition for beamforming operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting a channel sounding signal from a user terminal in a multiple antenna system. In the method, a channel for each of a plurality of antennas is estimated. The receiving signal power of each of the antennas is calculated using the channel information obtained through the channel estimation. The antenna with the highest RX signal power is selected. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the signal reception performance of the user terminal.