MIMO Downlink Mode Switching via Channel Fading Rate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current MIMO downlink scheduling algorithms fail to adequately account for user mobility and feedback delay, limiting the effectiveness of closed-loop systems and preventing the intermixing of open-loop and closed-loop coding modes in multi-user MIMO systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for MIMO downlink transmission control that calculates the channel fading change rate and feedback delay to determine a closed-loop MIMO throughput gain, allowing for dynamic switching between closed-loop and open-loop modes based on this gain, thereby supporting intermixing of open-loop and closed-loop modes and improving multi-user joint transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If closed-loop MIMO technology is used to achieve better link reliability and higher system throughput, then precoding performance is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to feedback delay and user mobility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink reliabilityVSAvoidfeedback delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching between closed-loop and open-loop MIMO based on real-time assessment of feedback delay and channel fading change rate. The system transitions from a static closed-loop configuration to a dynamic system that adapts its operating mode according to current channel conditions, resolving the contradiction between relying on feedback for precoding and suffering from feedback delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter (transmission mode) based on the feedback delay parameter and channel fading change rate parameter. By monitoring these parameters and switching between closed-loop and open-loop modes accordingly, the system optimizes performance under varying feedback delay conditions while maintaining link reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If closed-loop MIMO is used to achieve higher system throughput, then precoding improves link reliability, but mobility causes CSI quantization errors that degrade performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidCSI quantization error
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between closed-loop and open-loop modes based on the channel fading change rate, which reflects user mobility. When mobility is high, the system transitions to open-loop mode to avoid CSI quantization errors. When mobility is low, it uses closed-loop mode to maximize throughput, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback about channel conditions (fading change rate and feedback delay) to adjust the transmission mode. This feedback mechanism allows the system to recognize when CSI quantization errors become significant due to mobility and switch to open-loop mode accordingly, maintaining accurate channel knowledge when needed while avoiding errors when mobility is high.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing MIMO scheduling algorithms are used, then user CSI is considered for scheduling, but they cannot reflect user mobility properly and do not support intermixing of open-loop and closed-loop modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode intermixing capabilityVSAvoidmobility reflection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal MIMO transmission system that can operate in both closed-loop and open-loop modes and switch between them based on channel conditions. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle both low-mobility scenarios (closed-loop) and high-mobility scenarios (open-loop), as well as mix the two modes for different users, thereby achieving mode intermixing capability and proper mobility reflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2416502B1Method and apparatus for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) downlink transmission control
Publication Date: 2014.06.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2416502B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2416502B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2416502B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) downlink transmission control method that is related to communications technologies is disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: obtaining a channel fading change rate and a feedback delay of a user; calculating out a closed-loop MIMO throughput gain according to the channel fading change rate and the feedback delay; and determining a downlink transmission mode according to the closed-loop MIMO throughput gain, wherein the downlink transmission mode includes a closed-loop mode or an open-loop mode. A MIMO downlink transmission control apparatus is also disclosed. In the embodiments of the present invention, a downlink transmission mode is selected according to the channel fading change rate (namely, mobility) and the feedback delay of the user, and therefore, different operation modes (an open-loop mode and a closed-loop mode) are supported simultaneously to facilitate multi-user joint transmission, and the downlink throughput is increased by using mobility difference between users.