Link Adaptation for Non-Collocated Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-access wireless communication networks, particularly in LTE standards, face suboptimal link adaptation due to the assumption of equal transmit powers from non-collocated and power-imbalanced base station antennas, leading to inefficient data rate selection for user equipment.

Innovation Solution

The network signals the actual signal powers of non-collocated and power-imbalanced base station antennas to the user equipment, allowing it to determine a modified transmit precoder and Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) for improved link adaptation, accounting for power imbalances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the network assumes equal transmit powers from non-collocated base station antennas, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but link adaptation accuracy deteriorates and data rate optimization is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidlink adaptation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter assumption from equal transmit powers to actual measured transmit powers. The network signals actual power values P1 and P2 to the UE, which then uses these parameters in CQI calculation to determine accurate link adaptation, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the network signals actual signal powers of non-collocated base station antennas to user equipment, then link adaptation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink adaptation accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary action by signaling the actual transmit power values P1 and P2 to the UE before the UE performs CQI calculation. This allows the UE to use pre-provided power parameters rather than performing complex power measurements or calculations, reducing device complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network uses non-collocated and power-imbalanced base station antennas, then network coverage and flexibility are improved, but link adaptation performance deteriorates due to power imbalance assumptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidlink adaptation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different transmit power characteristics for different base station antennas (P1 for first antenna, P2 for second antenna). The UE receives and uses these location-specific power values in its CQI determination, enabling accurate link adaptation for each antenna's local characteristics while maintaining overall network flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2750316B1Efficient link adaptation for non-collocated antennas
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD
  • EP2750316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2750316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for efficient link adaptation in multi-access wireless communication networks, including link adaptation in scenarios with non-collocated and/or power imbalanced base station transmit antennas are provided. In an embodiment, an indication of signal powers of the transmit antennas is signaled by the network to the user equipment (UE) when the UE is configured for logical antenna ports using non-collocated and/or power imbalanced transmit antennas. The UE can use the indication of signal powers in determining the Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) and the Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), resulting in higher accuracy link adaptation.