Communication on multiple beams between stations

• US 20040214606A1
• Filed: 08/13/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Kashaev, Rinat, Tirkkonen, Olav, Wichman, Risto
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,537 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/061 using feedback from receiving side
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0619 using feedback from receiving side feedback signaling for adaptive modulation/coding H04L1/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0695 using beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a communication system wherein stations communicate on a wireless interface. The method includes the steps of including beam identity information into signals transmitted on multiple beams provided by a first station, receiving at a second station signals transmitted from the first station, and identifying beams via which the second station received signals from the first station based on said identity information. At least one beam for transmission on the wireless interface between the stations is then selected. A station configured for the communication comprises antenna means for receiving signals transmitted from the other station on multiple beams and a controller for identifying beams based on beam identity information associated with signals received from the other station.

Claims

1. A method in a communication system configured for communication on a wireless interface between a first station and a second station, the method comprising the steps of:

including beam identity information into signals transmitted on multiple beams provided by the first station;

receiving at the second station signals transmitted from the first station;

identifying beams via which the second station received signals from the first station based on said identity information; and

selecting at least one beam for transmission on the wireless interface between the first and second stations.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of selecting at least one beam comprises selecting a set of beams that are geometrically distinguished from each other.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, comprising a further step of determining an angle of arrival of signals at the second station.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of selecting the at least one beam at the second station and informing the first station of said selected at least one beam by sending corresponding beam identity information from the second station to the first station.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the further step of sending the beam identity information in a sequence of information bits.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam identity information is included in pilot signals sent via the beams provided by the first station.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the further step of performing adaptive beamforming at the first station.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising the step of identifying the beams based on a time of transmission of the signals on the beams.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first station comprises a base station of a cellular telecommunication network and the second station comprises a mobile station.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second station comprises a base station of a cellular telecommunication network and the first station comprises a mobile station.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of selecting beams for transmission at the first station.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining geometrical relationships between the beams based on the beam identity information.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising transmitting a connection request from the second station to the first station via the selected beams.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising selecting one of neighboring beams based on the beam identity information.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, comprising selecting neighboring beams based on the beam identity information and transmitting unrelated information on the selected neighboring beams.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising dynamically selecting an appropriate set of beams.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising using at least one additional criterion in the selection of the beams.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein an additional criterion comprises quality of service.

19. The method as claimed in claims 1, wherein the multiple beams are provided based on a Multiple Input/Multiple Output arrangement.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the beams selection is used adaptively with at least one Multiple Input/Multiple Output algorithm.

21. A communication system configured for communication on a wireless interface between a first station and a second station, the communication system comprising:

an antenna array at the first station configured to provide multiple beams, the beams being distinguishable based on beam identity information;

a controller for identifying beams via which the second station received signals from the first station based on the beam identity information; and

means for selecting at least one beam for transmission of signals between the first and second stations based on information of the identified beams.

22. The communication system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the means for selecting are configured to select a set of geometrically distinguished beams.

23. The communication system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the means for selecting are provided in the second station.

24. The communication system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the means for selecting are provided in the first station.

25. The communication system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the antenna array is configured for adaptive beamforming.

26. The communication system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the stations of the first station and the second station comprises a base station of a cellular telecommunication network and another station of the first station and the second station comprises a mobile station.

27. A station configured for communication of signals with another station via multiple beams, the station comprising:

antenna means for receiving signals transmitted from the other station on multiple beams; and

a controller for identifying beams based on beam identity information associated with signals received from the other station.

28. The station as claimed in claim 27, further comprising means for selecting a set of geometrically distinguished beams.

29. The station as claimed in claim 27, comprising a mobile station.