Antenna Selection Using Frequency-Hopped Sounding Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna selection methods in wireless communication networks, particularly in LTE, face challenges in efficiently estimating channels for optimal antenna subsets due to rapid channel variations and interference, especially in frequency-hopped variable bandwidth scenarios, leading to limited performance improvement.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting frequency-hopped sounding reference signals (SRS) from subsets of antennas in a pattern that alternates periodically, allowing the base station to determine the type of training transmission based on the number of subbands and subsets, enabling effective channel estimation and reducing interference across the entire frequency domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequency-hopped sounding reference signals are transmitted from multiple antenna subsets simultaneously, then channel estimation accuracy improves, but interference between transceivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing alternating transmission patterns where different antenna subsets transmit SRS signals in alternating time periods rather than simultaneously. The base station configures transceivers to switch between different SRS transmission patterns (e.g., full-bandwidth vs. partial-bandwidth hopping) in an alternating manner, which reduces interference while maintaining channel estimation accuracy across frequency hops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and assigns different SRS transmission patterns to different antenna subsets. Each transceiver transmits SRS signals on specific frequency bands during specific time periods, creating a segmented transmission structure that reduces inter-transceiver interference while enabling comprehensive channel estimation across the entire frequency domain.
2Measurement precision
If channel estimation is performed rapidly to track fast fading channels, then channel estimation accuracy improves, but measurement time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous channel estimation by implementing frequency-hopped SRS transmission patterns that continuously probe different frequency bands over time. Instead of performing discrete, periodic channel estimates, the system continuously updates channel information across frequency hops, maintaining accurate channel knowledge for fast fading channels without requiring excessive measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs preliminary configuration of SRS transmission patterns and frequency hop sequences before actual channel estimation. This preliminary setup optimizes the measurement process by pre-determining which antenna subsets transmit on which frequency bands, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining rapid tracking capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna selection is performed frequently to adapt to channel variations, then system adaptability improves, but processing complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna selection where the base station adaptively configures SRS transmission patterns based on current channel conditions. The system dynamically switches between different antenna subsets and frequency hop patterns in response to fading conditions, achieving high adaptability while the base station centralizes the complexity of decision-making to reduce distributed processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention describe a method for antenna selection (AS) in a wireless communication network. The network includes a base station and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver has a set of antennas, and wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit a frequency-hopped sounding reference signal (SRS) from a subset of antennas at a time. The base station determines a type of a training transmission based on a number of the subbands and a number of subsets in the set of antennas, and transmits an instruction including the type to the transceiver.