U.S. patent application number 17/168707 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-27 for communication system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Mitsuru MOCHIZUKI, Hiroyuki SHOJI, Kuniyuki SUZUKI, Toshiki TANAKA.
Application Number | 20210160725 17/168707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005387134 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210160725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHOJI; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
May 27, 2021 |
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Abstract
Provided is a communication system capable of suppressing, under
communication environment including a plurality of cells,
degradation in communication quality and decrease in communication
rate and communication capacity due to interference from the other
cells. Each of the cells includes a plurality of antenna elements,
and performs radio communication with a communication terminal
device through the antenna elements. Each of the cells notifies the
other cells of settings for measuring channel information on a
channel for performing radio communication of its own cell. Each of
the cells may notify a communication terminal device being served
thereby of the settings for measuring the channel information of
its own cell. Here, the communication terminal device measures the
channel information based on the settings notified from each of the
cells, and reports a result of the measured channel information to
a corresponding one of the cells when the result satisfies a
predetermined reporting condition.
Inventors: |
SHOJI; Hiroyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; TANAKA; Toshiki; (Tokyo, JP) ;
MOCHIZUKI; Mitsuru; (Tokyo, JP) ; SUZUKI;
Kuniyuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005387134 |
Appl. No.: |
17/168707 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16097901 |
Oct 31, 2018 |
10952089 |
|
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PCT/JP2017/017367 |
May 8, 2017 |
|
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17168707 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 74/0833 20130101;
H04B 7/0626 20130101; H04B 7/04 20130101; H04B 17/336 20150115;
H04W 92/20 20130101; H04B 7/0452 20130101; H04W 76/27 20180201;
H04W 24/10 20130101; H04W 16/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/10 20060101
H04W024/10; H04W 16/28 20060101 H04W016/28; H04W 92/20 20060101
H04W092/20; H04B 7/04 20060101 H04B007/04; H04B 17/336 20060101
H04B017/336; H04W 76/27 20060101 H04W076/27; H04B 7/0452 20060101
H04B007/0452; H04B 7/06 20060101 H04B007/06; H04W 74/08 20060101
H04W074/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2016 |
JP |
2016-095467 |
Sep 20, 2016 |
JP |
2016-182987 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A communication system comprising a plurality of cells
configuring one or more base station devices, a communication
terminal device capable of radio communication with each of the
cells, and a concentrator capable of radio communication with each
of the cells, wherein each of the cells notifies the other cells
and the communication terminal device of settings for measuring
channel information on a channel for performing the radio
communication of its own cell, the communication terminal device
measures the channel information based on the settings for
measuring the channel information that have been notified from each
of the cells, and reports a result of the measured channel
information to a corresponding one of the cells, and when the
result of the channel information measured by the communication
terminal device satisfies a predetermined condition, each of the
cells notifies the concentrator of the result of the channel
information measured by the communication terminal device and
identification information of the communication terminal
device.
3. A communication system comprising a plurality of cells
configuring one or more base station devices, a communication
terminal device capable of radio communication with each of the
cells, and a concentrator capable of radio communication with each
of the cells, wherein each of the cells notifies the other cells
and the communication terminal device of settings for measuring
channel information on a channel for performing the radio
communication of its own cell, the communication terminal device
measures the channel information based on the settings for
measuring the channel information that have been notified from each
of the cells, and reports a result of the measured channel
information to a corresponding one of the cells, each of the cells
notifies the concentrator of the result of the channel information
measured by the communication terminal device, and the concentrator
derives a precoding weight of the communication terminal device
that performs MU-MIMO.
4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein each of
the cells notifies the concentrator of the identification
information of the communication terminal device whose result of
the measured channel information satisfies a predetermined
condition.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/097,901, filed Oct. 31, 2018, which is a '371 National Stage
Entry of PCT/JP2017/017367, filed May 8, 2017, and claims priority
from Japanese Patent Applications JP 2016-182987 filed Sep. 20,
2016 and JP 2016-095467, filed May 11, 2016, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a communication system in
which radio communication is performed between a communication
terminal device such as a user equipment device and a base station
device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), the standard
organization regarding the mobile communication system, is studying
communication systems referred to as long term evolution (LTE)
regarding radio sections and system architecture evolution (SAE)
regarding the overall system configuration including a core network
and a radio access network, which will be hereinafter collectively
referred to as a network as well (for example, see Non-Patent
Documents 1 to 12). This communication system is also referred to
as 3.9 generation (3.9 G) system.
[0004] As the access scheme of the LTE, orthogonal frequency
division multiplexing (OFDM) is used in a downlink direction and
single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) is used
in an uplink direction. Further, differently from the wideband code
division multiple access (W-CDMA), circuit switching is not
provided but a packet communication system is only provided in the
LTE.
[0005] The decisions by 3GPP regarding the frame configuration in
the LTE system described in Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 5) will
be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram
illustrating the configuration of a radio frame used in the LTE
communication system. With reference to FIG. 1, one radio frame is
10 ms. The radio frame is divided into ten equally sized subframes.
The subframe is divided into two equally sized slots. The first and
sixth subframes contain a downlink synchronization signal per radio
frame. The synchronization signals are classified into a primary
synchronization signal (P-SS) and a secondary synchronization
signal (S-SS).
[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 5) describes the decisions by
3GPP regarding the channel configuration in the LTE system. It is
assumed that the same channel configuration is used in a closed
subscriber group (CSG) cell as that of a non-CSG cell.
[0007] A physical broadcast channel (PBCH) is a channel for
downlink transmission from a base station device (hereinafter may
be simply referred to as a "base station") to a communication
terminal device (hereinafter may be simply referred to as a
"communication terminal") such as a user equipment device
(hereinafter may be simply referred to as a "user equipment"). A
BCH transport block is mapped to four subframes within a 40 ms
interval. There is no explicit signaling indicating 40 ms
timing.
[0008] A physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) is a
channel for downlink transmission from a base station to a
communication terminal. The PCFICH notifies the number of
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols used for
PDCCHs from the base station to the communication terminal. The
PCFICH is transmitted per subframe.
[0009] A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is a channel for
downlink transmission from a base station to a communication
terminal. The PDCCH notifies of the resource allocation information
for downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) being one of the transport
channels described below, resource allocation information for a
paging channel (PCH) being one of the transport channels described
below, and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information
related to DL-SCH. The PDCCH carries an uplink scheduling grant.
The PDCCH carries acknowledgement (Ack)/negative acknowledgement
(Nack) that is a response signal to uplink transmission. The PDCCH
is referred to as an L1/L2 control signal as well.
[0010] A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is a channel for
downlink transmission from a base station to a communication
terminal. A downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) that is a transport
channel and a PCH that is a transport channel are mapped to the
PDSCH.
[0011] A physical multicast channel (PMCH) is a channel for
downlink transmission from a base station to a communication
terminal. A multicast channel (MCH) that is a transport channel is
mapped to the PMCH.
[0012] A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is a channel for
uplink transmission from a communication terminal to a base
station. The PUCCH carries Ack/Nack that is a response signal to
downlink transmission. The PUCCH carries a channel quality
indicator (CQI) report. The CQI is quality information indicating
the quality of received data or channel quality. In addition, the
PUCCH carries a scheduling request (SR).
[0013] A physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) is a channel for
uplink transmission from a communication terminal to a base
station. An uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) that is one of the
transport channels is mapped to the PUSCH.
[0014] A physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH) is a channel
for downlink transmission from a base station to a communication
terminal. The PHICH carries Ack/Nack that is a response signal to
uplink transmission. A physical random access channel (PRACH) is a
channel for uplink transmission from the communication terminal to
the base station. The PRACH carries a random access preamble.
[0015] A downlink reference signal (RS) is a known symbol in the
LTE communication system. The following five types of downlink
reference signals are defined: a cell-specific reference signal
(CRS), an MB SFN reference signal, a data demodulation reference
signal (DM-RS) being a UE-specific reference signal, a positioning
reference signal (PRS), and a channel state information reference
signal (CSI-RS). The physical layer measurement objects of a
communication terminal include reference signal received power
(RSRP).
[0016] The transport channels described in Non-Patent Document 1
(Chapter 5) will be described. A broadcast channel (BCH) among the
downlink transport channels is broadcast to the entire coverage of
a base station (cell). The BCH is mapped to the physical broadcast
channel (PBCH).
[0017] Retransmission control according to a hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is
applied to a downlink shared channel (DL-SCH). The DL-SCH can be
broadcast to the entire coverage of the base station (cell). The
DL-SCH supports dynamic or semi-static resource allocation. The
semi-static resource allocation is also referred to as persistent
scheduling. The DL-SCH supports discontinuous reception (DRX) of a
communication terminal for enabling the communication terminal to
save power. The DL-SCH is mapped to the physical downlink shared
channel (PDSCH).
[0018] The paging channel (PCH) supports DRX of the communication
terminal for enabling the communication terminal to save power. The
PCH is required to be broadcast to the entire coverage of the base
station (cell). The PCH is mapped to physical resources such as the
physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) that can be used
dynamically for traffic.
[0019] The multicast channel (MCH) is used for broadcast to the
entire coverage of the base station (cell). The MCH supports SFN
combining of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) services
(MTCH and MCCH) in multi-cell transmission. The MCH supports
semi-static resource allocation. The MCH is mapped to the PMCH.
[0020] Retransmission control according to a hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is
applied to an uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) among the uplink
transport channels. The UL-SCH supports dynamic or semi-static
resource allocation. The UL-SCH is mapped to the physical uplink
shared channel (PUSCH).
[0021] A random access channel (RACH) is limited to control
information. The RACH involves a collision risk. The RACH is mapped
to the physical random access channel (PRACH).
[0022] The HARQ will be described. The HARQ is the technique for
improving the communication quality of a channel by combination of
automatic repeat request (ARQ) and error correction (forward error
correction). The HARQ is advantageous in that error correction
functions effectively by retransmission even for a channel whose
communication quality changes. In particular, it is also possible
to achieve further quality improvement in retransmission through
combination of the reception results of the first transmission and
the reception results of the retransmission.
[0023] An example of the retransmission method will be described.
If the receiver fails to successfully decode the received data, in
other words, if a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error occurs
(CRC=NG), the receiver transmits "Nack" to the transmitter. The
transmitter that has received "Nack" retransmits the data. If the
receiver successfully decodes the received data, in other words, if
a CRC error does not occur (CRC=OK), the receiver transmits "AcK"
to the transmitter. The transmitter that has received "Ack"
transmits the next data.
[0024] The logical channels described in Non-Patent Document 1
(Chapter 6) will be described. A broadcast control channel (BCCH)
is a downlink channel for broadcast system control information. The
BCCH that is a logical channel is mapped to the broadcast channel
(BCH) or downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) that is a transport
channel.
[0025] A paging control channel (PCCH) is a downlink channel for
transmitting paging information and system information change
notifications. The PCCH is used when the network does not know the
cell location of a communication terminal. The PCCH that is a
logical channel is mapped to the paging channel (PCH) that is a
transport channel.
[0026] A common control channel (CCCH) is a channel for
transmission control information between communication terminals
and a base station. The CCCH is used in the case where the
communication terminals have no RRC connection with the network. In
the downlink direction, the CCCH is mapped to the downlink shared
channel (DL-SCH) that is a transport channel. In the uplink
direction, the CCCH is mapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH)
that is a transport channel.
[0027] A multicast control channel (MCCH) is a downlink channel for
point-to-multipoint transmission. The MCCH is used for transmission
of MBMS control information for one or several MTCHs from a network
to a communication terminal. The MCCH is used only by a
communication terminal during reception of the MBMS. The MCCH is
mapped to the multicast channel (MCH) that is a transport
channel.
[0028] A dedicated control channel (DCCH) is a channel that
transmits dedicated control information between a communication
terminal and a network on a point-to-point basis. The DCCH is used
when the communication terminal has an RRC connection. The DCCH is
mapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) in uplink and mapped
to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) in downlink.
[0029] A dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point
communication channel for transmission of user information to a
dedicated communication terminal. The DTCH exists in uplink as well
as downlink. The DTCH is mapped to the uplink shared channel
(UL-SCH) in uplink and mapped to the downlink shared channel
(DL-SCH) in downlink.
[0030] A multicast traffic channel (MTCH) is a downlink channel for
traffic data transmission from a network to a communication
terminal. The MTCH is a channel used only by a communication
terminal during reception of the MBMS. The MTCH is mapped to the
multicast channel (MCH).
[0031] CGI represents a cell global identifier. ECGI represents an
E-UTRAN cell global identifier. A closed subscriber group (CSG)
cell is introduced in the LTE, and the long term evolution advanced
(LTE-A) and universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS)
described below.
[0032] The closed subscriber group (CSG) cell is a cell in which
subscribers who are allowed use are specified by an operator
(hereinafter, also referred to as a "cell for specific
subscribers"). The specified subscribers are allowed to access one
or more cells of a public land mobile network (PLMN). One or more
cells to which the specified subscribers are allowed access are
referred to as "CSG cell(s)". Note that access is limited in the
PLMN.
[0033] The CSG cell is part of the PLMN that broadcasts a specific
CSG identity (CSG ID) and broadcasts "TRUE" in a CSG indication.
The authorized members of the subscriber group who have registered
in advance access the CSG cells using the CSG ID that is the access
permission information.
[0034] The CSG ID is broadcast by the CSG cell or cells. A
plurality of CSG IDs exist in the LTE communication system. The CSG
IDs are used by communication terminals (UEs) for making access
from CSG-related members easier.
[0035] The locations of communication terminals are tracked based
on an area composed of one or more cells. The locations are tracked
for enabling tracking the locations of communication terminals and
calling communication terminals, in other words, incoming calling
to communication terminals even in an idle state. An area for
tracking locations of communication terminals is referred to as a
tracking area.
[0036] 3GPP is studying base stations referred to as Home-NodeB
(Home-NB; HNB) and Home-eNodeB (Home-eNB; HeNB). HNB/HeNB is a base
station for, for example, household, corporation, or commercial
access service in UTRAN/E-UTRAN. Non-Patent Document 2 discloses
three different modes of the access to the HeNB and HNB.
Specifically, an open access mode, a closed access mode, and a
hybrid access mode are disclosed.
[0037] Further, 3GPP is pursuing specifications standard of long
term evolution advanced (LTE-A) as Release 10 (see Non-Patent
Documents 3 and 4). The LTE-A is based on the LTE radio
communication system and is configured by adding several new
techniques to the system.
[0038] Carrier aggregation (CA) is studied for the LTE-A system, in
which two or more component carriers (CCs) are aggregated to
support wider transmission bandwidths up to 100 MHz. Non-Patent
Document 1 describes the CA.
[0039] In the case where CA is configured, a UE has a single RRC
connection with a network (NW). In RRC connection, one serving cell
provides NAS mobility information and security input. This cell is
referred to as a primary cell (PCell). In downlink, a carrier
corresponding to PCell is a downlink primary component carrier (DL
PCC). In uplink, a carrier corresponding to PCell is an uplink
primary component carrier (UL PCC).
[0040] A secondary cell (SCell) is configured to form a pair of a
PCell and a serving cell, in accordance with the UE capability. In
downlink, a carrier corresponding to SCell is a downlink secondary
component carrier (DL SCC). In uplink, a carrier corresponding to
SCell is an uplink secondary component carrier (UL SCC).
[0041] A pair of one PCell and a serving cell configured by one or
more SCells is configured for one UE.
[0042] The new techniques in the LTE-A include the technique of
supporting wider bands (wider bandwidth extension) and the
coordinated multiple point transmission and reception (CoMP)
technique. The CoMP studied for LTE-A in 3GPP is described in
Non-Patent Document 1.
[0043] The traffic flow of a mobile network is on the rise, and the
communication rate is also increasing. It is expected that the
communication rate will be further increased when the operations of
the LTE and the LTE-A are fully initiated.
[0044] Furthermore, 3GPP is studying the use of small eNBs
(hereinafter also referred to as "small-scale base station
devices") configuring small cells to satisfy tremendous traffic in
the future. In an example technique under study, etc., a large
number of small eNBs will be installed to configure a large number
of small cells, thus increasing spectral efficiency and
communication capacity. The specific techniques include dual
connectivity (abbreviated as DC) in which a UE communicates with
two eNBs through connection thereto. Non-Patent Document 1
describes the DC.
[0045] Among eNBs that perform dual connectivity (DC), one of them
may be referred to as a master eNB (abbreviated as MeNB), and the
other may be referred to as a secondary eNB (abbreviated as
SeNB).
[0046] For increasingly sophisticated mobile communications, the
fifth generation (hereinafter also referred to as "5G") radio
access system is studied, whose service is aimed to be launched in
2020 and afterward. For example, in the Europe, an organization
named METIS summarizes the requirements for 5G (see Non-Patent
Document 5).
[0047] Among the requirements in the 5G radio access system are a
system capacity 1000 times as high as, a data transmission rate 100
times as high as, a data latency one tenth ( 1/10) as low as, and
simultaneously connected communication terminals 100 times as many
as those in the LTE system, to further reduce the power consumption
and device cost.
[0048] To satisfy such requirements, increasing the transmission
capacity of data using broadband frequencies, and increasing the
transmission rate of data through increase in the spectral
efficiency are being studied. To realize these, the techniques
enabling the spatial multiplexing such as the Multiple Input
Multiple Output (MIMO) and the beamforming using a multi-element
antenna are being studied.
[0049] The MIMO also continues to be studied under the LTE-A. Full
Dimension (FD)-MIMO using two dimensional antenna arrays are under
study from the Release 13 as an extension of the MIMO. Non-Patent
Document 7 describes the FD-MIMO.
PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS
Non-Patent Documents
[0050] Non-Patent Document 1: 3GPP TS36.300 V13.0.0 [0051]
Non-Patent Document 2: 3GPP S1-083461 [0052] Non-Patent Document 3:
3GPP TR 36.814 V9.0.0 [0053] Non-Patent Document 4: 3GPP TR 36.912
V10.0.0 [0054] Non-Patent Document 5: "Scenarios, requirements and
KPIs for 5G mobile and wireless system", [online], Apr. 30, 2013,
ICT-317669-METIS/D1.1, [Searched on Jan. 25, 2016], Internet
<https://www.metis2020.com/documents/deliverables/> [0055]
Non-Patent Document 6: 3GPP TS36.211 V13.0.0 [0056] Non-Patent
Document 7: 3GPP TS36.897 V13.0.0 [0057] Non-Patent Document 8:
3GPP R2-162573 [0058] Non-Patent Document 9: 3GPP TS36.842 V12.0.0
[0059] Non-Patent Document 10: 3GPP R2-162499 [0060] Non-Patent
Document 11: "Recommendation ITU-R M.2083-0 (September 2015)",
[online], September, 2015, [Searched on Apr. 27, 2016], Internet
<https://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/m/R-REC-M.2083-0-201509-I!!P-
DF-E.pdf> [0061] Non-Patent Document 12: 3GPP RWS-150006
SUMMARY
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0062] With the conventional technique of the MIMO, a cell
determines a codebook in consideration of only an antenna port of
its own cell to perform the MIMO with the UE. Here, a cell to which
the UE is not connected or a cell that is not communicating is not
considered. Thus, under a communication environment in the presence
of a plurality of cells, interference occurs from the cell to which
the UE is not connected or the cell that is not communicating.
[0063] Since the MIMO is performed within the same cell by
assigning the presumably optimal transmission weight to the UEs
being served by the cell, the UEs being served by the other cells
may receive intense interference. Thus, the interference from the
other cells degrades the communication quality, and reduces the
communication rate. Moreover, the communication capacity for a
system will decrease.
[0064] The object of the present invention is to provide a
communication system capable of suppressing, under a communication
environment in the presence of a plurality of cells, degradation in
the communication quality and decrease in the communication rate
and in the communication capacity due to interference from the
other cells.
Means to Solve the Problems
[0065] A communication system according to the present invention
includes a plurality of cells configuring one or more base station
devices, and a communication terminal device capable of radio
communication with each of the cells, wherein each of the cells
includes a plurality of antenna elements, and performs the radio
communication with the communication terminal device through the
plurality of antenna elements, and each of the cells notifies the
other cells of settings for measuring channel information on a
channel for performing the radio communication of its own cell.
Effects of the Invention
[0066] The communication system according to the present invention
includes a plurality of cells configuring one or more base station
devices, and a communication terminal device capable of radio
communication with each of the cells. Each of the cells performs
the radio communication with the communication terminal device
through a plurality of antenna elements included in the cell. Each
of the cells notifies the other cells of settings for measuring
channel information of its own cell. Consequently, each of the
cells can recognize the settings for measuring the channel
information of the other cells. Since each of the cells can reduce
interference from the other cells, the cell can suppress
degradation in the communication quality and decrease in the
communication rate and in the communication capacity due to the
interference from the other cells.
[0067] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of the present invention when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0068] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a
radio frame for use in an LTE communication system.
[0069] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration
of an LTE communication system 200 under discussion of 3GPP.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
user equipment 202 shown in FIG. 2, which is a communication
terminal according to the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
base station 203 shown in FIG. 2, which is a base station according
to the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
MME according to the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline from a cell search
to an idle state operation performed by a communication terminal
(UE) in the LTE communication system.
[0074] FIG. 7 shows the concept of a cell configuration when macro
eNBs and small eNBs coexist.
[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates an example structure of a communication
system when the SU-MIMO is performed with a UE 1-1 being served by
a cell 1.
[0076] FIG. 9 illustrates an example structure of the communication
system when the SU-MIMO is performed with a UE 1-3 being served by
the cell 1.
[0077] FIG. 10 illustrates an example structure of the
communication system when the SU-MIMO is performed with a UE 2-3
being served by a cell 2.
[0078] FIG. 11 illustrates an example sequence on a method for
performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells.
[0079] FIG. 12 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the SU-MIMO using the plurality of cells.
[0080] FIG. 13 illustrates another example sequence on a method for
performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells.
[0081] FIG. 14 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the SU-MIMO using the plurality of cells.
[0082] FIG. 15 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the SU-MIMO using the plurality of cells.
[0083] FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the SU-MIMO only with a UE where interference is a
problem.
[0084] FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the method for
performing the SU-MIMO only with a UE where interference is a
problem.
[0085] FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the method for
performing the SU-MIMO only with a UE where interference is a
problem.
[0086] FIG. 19 illustrates another example sequence on the method
for performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells.
[0087] FIG. 20 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the SU-MIMO using the plurality of cells.
[0088] FIG. 21 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the SU-MIMO using the plurality of cells.
[0089] FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with UEs being served by a plurality of
cells in consideration of the plurality of cells.
[0090] FIG. 23 illustrates an example sequence on a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem
inclusive, using a plurality of cells.
[0091] FIG. 24 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem
inclusive, using the plurality of cells.
[0092] FIG. 25 is an example conceptual diagram illustrating a
method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0093] FIG. 26 is an example conceptual diagram illustrating a
method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0094] FIG. 27 is an example conceptual diagram illustrating a
method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0095] FIG. 28 illustrates an example sequence on a method for
performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is a
problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0096] FIG. 29 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is a
problem, using the plurality of cells.
[0097] FIG. 30 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is a
problem, using the plurality of cells.
[0098] FIG. 31 is another example conceptual diagram illustrating
the method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0099] FIG. 32 is another example conceptual diagram illustrating
the method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0100] FIG. 33 illustrates another example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is
a problem, using a plurality of cells.
[0101] FIG. 34 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is
a problem, using the plurality of cells.
[0102] FIG. 35 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is
a problem, using the plurality of cells.
[0103] FIG. 36 illustrates an example sequence on a method for
performing the SU-MIMO in a channel estimating method according to
the sixth modification of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0104] FIG. 37 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method according
to the sixth modification of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0105] FIG. 38 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method according
to the sixth modification of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0106] FIG. 39 schematically illustrates correlations between UE
antennas.
[0107] FIG. 40 illustrates a method performed by the UE for
detecting whether interference is a problem.
[0108] FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating operations to be
performed in blocks in an interference determining unit.
[0109] FIG. 42 illustrates an example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method according to the eighth
modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0110] FIG. 43 illustrates the example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method according to the eighth
modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0111] FIG. 44 illustrates the example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method according to the eighth
modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0112] FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0113] FIG. 46 illustrates a sequence on a method for performing
the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells where
interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0114] FIG. 47 illustrates the sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0115] FIG. 48 illustrates an outline of a method for performing
the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem inclusive
for each cell and forming beams from a non-serving cell.
[0116] FIG. 49 illustrates an example sequence on a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem
inclusive for each cell and forming beams from the non-serving cell
through the HO.
[0117] FIG. 50 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem
inclusive for each cell and forming beams from the non-serving cell
through the HO.
[0118] FIG. 51 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem
inclusive for each cell and forming beams from the non-serving cell
through the HO.
[0119] FIG. 52 illustrates another example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a
problem inclusive for each cell and forming beams from the
non-serving cell through the HO.
[0120] FIG. 53 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a
problem inclusive for each cell and forming beams from the
non-serving cell through the HO.
[0121] FIG. 54 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a
problem inclusive for each cell and forming beams from the
non-serving cell through the HO.
[0122] FIG. 55 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0123] FIG. 56 illustrates an example sequence on a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0124] FIG. 57 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0125] FIG. 58 illustrates the example sequence on the method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
[0126] FIG. 59 illustrates another example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other
cells where interference from its own cell is a problem
inclusive.
[0127] FIG. 60 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other
cells where interference from its own cell is a problem
inclusive.
[0128] FIG. 61 illustrates the other example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other
cells where interference from its own cell is a problem
inclusive.
[0129] FIG. 62 illustrates an example structure of a communication
system when the MU-MIMO is performed with the UEs being served by
the other cells inclusive for each cell.
[0130] FIG. 63 illustrates an example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO with feedback of downlink channel information from the
UEs.
[0131] FIG. 64 illustrates the example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO with feedback of the downlink channel information from the
UEs.
[0132] FIG. 65 illustrates an example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO by obtaining uplink channel information from a SRS to
estimate a downlink channel using a duality.
[0133] FIG. 66 illustrates the example sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO by obtaining the uplink channel information from the SRS to
estimate the downlink channel using a duality.
[0134] FIG. 67 illustrates an example structure in which at least
one of a synchronization signal and a shared channel is provided
for each frame format and is mapped to resources for the frame
format.
[0135] FIG. 68 illustrates an example structure in which at least
one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared channel
in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to common
resources.
[0136] FIG. 69 illustrates another example structure in which at
least one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared
channel in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the
common resources.
[0137] FIG. 70 illustrates another example structure in which at
least one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared
channel in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the
common resources.
[0138] FIG. 71 illustrates another example structure in which at
least one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared
channel in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the
common resources.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0139] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration
of an LTE communication system 200, which is under discussion of
3GPP. FIG. 2 will be described. A radio access network is referred
to as an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network
(E-UTRAN) 201. A user equipment device (hereinafter, referred to as
a "user equipment (UE)") 202 that is a communication terminal
device is capable of radio communication with a base station device
(hereinafter, referred to as a "base station (E-UTRAN Node B:
eNB)") 203 and transmits and receives signals through radio
communication.
[0140] Here, the "communication terminal device" covers not only a
user equipment device such as a movable mobile phone terminal
device, but also an unmovable device such as a sensor. In the
following description, the "communication terminal device" may be
simply referred to as a "communication terminal".
[0141] The E-UTRAN is composed of one or a plurality of base
stations 203, provided that a control protocol for the user
equipment 202 such as a radio resource control (RRC), and user
planes such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio
link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), or physical layer
(PHY) are terminated in the base station 203.
[0142] The control protocol radio resource control (RRC) between
the user equipment 202 and the base station 203 performs broadcast,
paging, RRC connection management, and the like. The states of the
base station 203 and the user equipment 202 in RRC are classified
into RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED.
[0143] In RRC_IDLE, public land mobile network (PLMN) selection,
system information (SI) broadcast, paging, cell re-selection,
mobility, and the like are performed. In RRC_CONNECTED, the user
equipment has RRC connection and is capable of transmitting and
receiving data to and from a network. In RRC_CONNECTED, for
example, handover (HO) and measurement of a neighbor cell are
performed.
[0144] The base stations 203 are classified into eNBs 207 and
Home-eNBs 206. The communication system 200 includes an eNB group
203-1 including a plurality of eNBs 207 and a Home-eNB group 203-2
including a plurality of Home-eNBs 206. A system, composed of an
evolved packet core (EPC) being a core network and an E-UTRAN 201
being a radio access network, is referred to as an evolved packet
system (EPS). The EPC being a core network and the E-UTRAN 201
being a radio access network may be collectively referred to as a
"network".
[0145] The eNB 207 is connected to an MME/S-GW unit (hereinafter,
also referred to as an "MME unit") 204 including a mobility
management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), or an MME and an
S-GW by means of an S1 interface, and control information is
communicated between the eNB 207 and the MME unit 204. A plurality
of MME units 204 may be connected to one eNB 207. The eNBs 207 are
connected to each other by means of an X2 interface, and control
information is communicated between the eNBs 207.
[0146] The Home-eNB 206 is connected to the MME unit 204 by means
of an S1 interface, and control information is communicated between
the Home-eNB 206 and the MME unit 204. A plurality of Home-eNBs 206
are connected to one MME unit 204. Or, the Home-eNBs 206 are
connected to the MME units 204 through a Home-eNB gateway (HeNBGW)
205. The Home-eNB 206 is connected to the HeNBGW 205 by means of an
S1 interface, and the HeNBGW 205 is connected to the MME unit 204
by means of an S1 interface.
[0147] One or a plurality of Home-eNBs 206 are connected to one
HeNBGW 205, and information is communicated therebetween through an
S1 interface. The HeNBGW 205 is connected to one or a plurality of
MME units 204, and information is communicated therebetween through
an S1 interface.
[0148] The MIME units 204 and HeNBGW 205 are entities of higher
layer, specifically, higher nodes, and control the connections
between the user equipment (UE) 202 and the eNB 207 and the
Home-eNB 206 being base stations. The MME units 204 configure an
EPC being a core network. The base station 203 and the HeNBGW 205
configure the E-UTRAN 201.
[0149] Further, 3GPP is studying the configuration below. The X2
interface between the Home-eNBs 206 is supported. In other words,
the Home-eNBs 206 are connected to each other by means of an X2
interface, and control information is communicated between the
Horne-eNBs 206. The HeNBGW 205 appears to the MME unit 204 as the
Home-eNB 206. The HeNBGW 205 appears to the Home-eNB 206 as the MME
unit 204.
[0150] The interfaces between the Home-eNBs 206 and the MME units
204 are the same, which are the S1 interfaces, in both cases where
the Home-eNB 206 is connected to the MME unit 204 through the
HeNBGW 205 and it is directly connected to the MME unit 204.
[0151] The base station device 203 may configure a single cell or a
plurality of cells. Each cell has a range predetermined as a
coverage in which the cell can communicate with the user equipment
202 and performs radio communication with the user equipment 202
within the coverage. In the case where one base station device 203
configures a plurality of cells, every cell is configured so as to
communicate with the user equipment 202.
[0152] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
user equipment 202 of FIG. 2 that is a communication terminal
according to the present invention. The transmission process of the
user equipment 202 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. First, a
transmission data buffer unit 303 stores the control data from a
protocol processing unit 301 and the user data from an application
unit 302. The data stored in the transmission data buffer unit 303
is passed to an encoding unit 304 and is subjected to an encoding
process such as error correction. There may exist the data output
from the transmission data buffer unit 303 directly to a modulating
unit 305 without the encoding process. The data encoded by the
encoding unit 304 is modulated by the modulating unit 305. The
modulated data is converted into a baseband signal, and the
baseband signal is output to a frequency converting unit 306 and is
then converted into a radio transmission frequency. After that, a
transmission signal is transmitted from an antenna 307 to the base
station 203.
[0153] The user equipment 202 executes the reception process as
follows. The radio signal from the base station 203 is received
through the antenna 307. The received signal is converted from a
radio reception frequency into a baseband signal by the frequency
converting unit 306 and is then demodulated by a demodulating unit
308. The demodulated data is passed to a decoding unit 309 and is
subjected to a decoding process such as error correction. Among the
pieces of decoded data, the control data is passed to the protocol
processing unit 301, and the user data is passed to the application
unit 302. A series of processes by the user equipment 202 is
controlled by a control unit 310. This means that, though not shown
in FIG. 3, the control unit 310 is connected to the individual
units 301 to 309.
[0154] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
base station 203 of FIG. 2 that is a base station according to the
present invention. The transmission process of the base station 203
shown in FIG. 4 will be described. An EPC communication unit 401
performs data transmission and reception between the base station
203 and the EPC (such as the MME unit 204), HeNBGW 205, and the
like. A communication with another base station unit 402 performs
data transmission and reception to and from another base station.
The EPC communication unit 401 and the communication with another
base station unit 402 each transmit and receive information to and
from a protocol processing unit 403. The control data from the
protocol processing unit 403, and the user data and the control
data from the EPC communication unit 401 and the communication with
another base station unit 402 are stored in a transmission data
buffer unit 404.
[0155] The data stored in the transmission data buffer unit 404 is
passed to an encoding unit 405 and is then subjected to an encoding
process such as error correction. There may exist the data output
from the transmission data buffer unit 404 directly to a modulating
unit 406 without the encoding process. The encoded data is
modulated by the modulating unit 406. The modulated data is
converted into a baseband signal, and the baseband signal is output
to a frequency converting unit 407 and is then converted into a
radio transmission frequency. After that, a transmission signal is
transmitted from an antenna 408 to one or a plurality of user
equipments 202.
[0156] The reception process of the base station 203 is executed as
follows. A radio signal from one or a plurality of user equipments
202 is received through the antenna 408. The received signal is
converted from a radio reception frequency into a baseband signal
by the frequency converting unit 407, and is then demodulated by a
demodulating unit 409. The demodulated data is passed to a decoding
unit 410 and is then subjected to a decoding process such as error
correction. Among the pieces of decoded data, the control data is
passed to the protocol processing unit 403, the EPC communication
unit 401, or the communication with another base station unit 402,
and the user data is passed to the EPC communication unit 401 and
the communication with another base station unit 402. A series of
processes by the base station 203 is controlled by a control unit
411. This means that, though not shown in FIG. 4, the control unit
411 is connected to the individual units 401 to 410.
[0157] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
MME according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the
configuration of an MME 204a included in the MME unit 204 shown in
FIG. 2 described above. A PDN GW communication unit 501 performs
data transmission and reception between the MME 204a and the PDN
GW. A base station communication unit 502 performs data
transmission and reception between the AWE 204a and the base
station 203 by means of the S1 interface. In the case where the
data received from the PDN GW is user data, the user data is passed
from the PDN GW communication unit 501 to the base station
communication unit 502 via a user plane communication unit 503 and
is then transmitted to one or a plurality of base stations 203. In
the case where the data received from the base station 203 is user
data, the user data is passed from the base station communication
unit 502 to the PDN GW communication unit 501 via the user plane
communication unit 503 and is then transmitted to the PDN GW.
[0158] In the case where the data received from the PDN GW is
control data, the control data is passed from the PDN GW
communication unit 501 to a control plane control unit 505. In the
case where the data received from the base station 203 is control
data, the control data is passed from the base station
communication unit 502 to the control plane control unit 505.
[0159] A HeNBGW communication unit 504 is provided in the case
where the HeNBGW 205 is provided, which performs data transmission
and reception between the MME 204a and the HeNBGW 205 by means of
the interface (IF) according to an information type. The control
data received from the HeNBGW communication unit 504 is passed from
the HeNBGW communication unit 504 to the control plane control unit
505. The processing results of the control plane control unit 505
are transmitted to the PDN GW via the PDN GW communication unit
501. The processing results of the control plane control unit 505
are transmitted to one or a plurality of base stations 203 by means
of the S1 interface via the base station communication unit 502,
and are transmitted to one or a plurality of HeNBGWs 205 via the
HeNBGW communication unit 504.
[0160] The control plane control unit 505 includes a NAS security
unit 505-1, an SAE bearer control unit 505-2, and an idle state
mobility managing unit 505-3, and performs an overall process for
the control plane. The NAS security unit 505-1 provides, for
example, security of a non-access stratum (NAS) message. The SAE
bearer control unit 505-2 manages, for example, a system
architecture evolution (SAE) bearer. The idle state mobility
managing unit 505-3 performs, for example, mobility management of
an idle state (LTE-IDLE state, which is merely referred to as idle
as well), generation and control of a paging signal in the idle
state, addition, deletion, update, and search of a tracking area of
one or a plurality of user equipments 202 being served thereby, and
tracking area list management.
[0161] The MME 204a distributes a paging signal to one or a
plurality of base stations 203. In addition, the MME 204a performs
mobility control of an idle state. When the user equipment is in
the idle state and an active state, the MME 204a manages a list of
tracking areas. The MME 204a begins a paging protocol by
transmitting a paging message to the cell belonging to a tracking
area in which the UE is registered. The idle state mobility
managing unit 505-3 may manage the CSG of the Home-eNBs 206 to be
connected to the MME 204a, CSG IDs, and a whitelist.
[0162] An example of a cell search method in a mobile communication
system will be described next. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an
outline from a cell search to an idle state operation performed by
a communication terminal (UE) in the LTE communication system. When
starting a cell search, in Step ST601, the communication terminal
synchronizes slot timing and frame timing by a primary
synchronization signal (P-SS) and a secondary synchronization
signal (S-SS) transmitted from a neighbor base station.
[0163] The P-SS and S-SS are collectively referred to as a
synchronization signal (SS). Synchronization codes, which
correspond one-to-one to PCIs assigned per cell, are assigned to
the synchronization signals (SSs). The number of PCIs is currently
studied in 504 ways. The 504 ways of PCIs are used for
synchronization, and the PCIs of the synchronized cells are
detected (specified).
[0164] In Step ST602, next, the user equipment detects a
cell-specific reference signal (CRS) being a reference signal (RS)
transmitted from the base station per cell and measures the
reference signal received power (RSRP). The codes corresponding
one-to-one to the PCIs are used for the reference signal RS.
Separation from another cell is enabled by correlation using the
code. The code for RS of the cell is derived from the PCI specified
in Step ST601, so that the RS can be detected and the RS received
power can be measured.
[0165] In Step ST603, next, the user equipment selects the cell
having the best RS received quality, for example, the cell having
the highest RS received power, that is, the best cell, from one or
more cells that have been detected up to Step ST602.
[0166] In Step ST604, next, the user equipment receives the PBCH of
the best cell and obtains the BCCH that is the broadcast
information. A master information block (MIB) containing the cell
configuration information is mapped to the BCCH over the PBCH.
Accordingly, the MIB is obtained by obtaining the BCCH through
reception of the PBCH. Examples of the MIB information include the
downlink (DL) system bandwidth (also referred to as a transmission
bandwidth configuration (dl-bandwidth)), the number of transmission
antennas, and a system frame number (SFN).
[0167] In Step ST605, next, the user equipment receives the DL-SCH
of the cell based on the cell configuration information of the MIB,
to thereby obtain a system information block (SIB) 1 of the
broadcast information BCCH. The SIB1 contains the information about
the access to the cell, information about cell selection, and
scheduling information on another SIB (SIBk; k is an integer equal
to or greater than two). In addition, the SIB1 contains a tracking
area code (TAC).
[0168] In Step ST606, next, the communication terminal compares the
TAC of the SIB1 received in Step ST605 with the TAC portion of a
tracking area identity (TAI) in the tracking area list that has
already been possessed by the communication terminal. The tracking
area list is also referred to as a TAI list. TAI is the
identification information for identifying tracking areas and is
composed of a mobile country code (MCC), a mobile network code
(MNC), and a tracking area code (TAC). MCC is a country code. MNC
is a network code. TAC is the code number of a tracking area.
[0169] If the result of the comparison of Step ST606 shows that the
TAC received in Step ST605 is identical to the TAC included in the
tracking area list, the user equipment enters an idle state
operation in the cell. If the comparison shows that the TAC
received in Step ST605 is not included in the tracking area list,
the communication terminal requires a core network (EPC) including
MME and the like to change a tracking area through the cell for
performing tracking area update (TAU).
[0170] The device configuring a core network (hereinafter, also
referred to as a "core-network-side device") updates the tracking
area list based on an identification number (such as UE-ID) of a
communication terminal transmitted from the communication terminal
together with a TAU request signal. The core-network-side device
transmits the updated tracking area list to the communication
terminal. The communication terminal rewrites (updates) the TAC
list of the communication terminal based on the received tracking
area list. After that, the communication terminal enters the idle
state operation in the cell.
[0171] Widespread use of smartphones and tablet terminal devices
explosively increases traffic in cellular radio communications,
causing a fear of insufficient radio resources all over the world.
To increase spectral efficiency, thus, it is studied to downsize
cells for further spatial separation.
[0172] In the conventional configuration of cells, the cell
configured by an eNB has a relatively-wide-range coverage.
Conventionally, cells are configured such that
relatively-wide-range coverages of a plurality of cells configured
by a plurality of macro eNBs cover a certain area.
[0173] When cells are downsized, the cell configured by an eNB has
a narrow-range coverage compared with the coverage of a cell
configured by a conventional eNB. Thus, in order to cover a certain
area as in the conventional case, a larger number of downsized eNBs
than the conventional eNBs are required.
[0174] In the description below, a "macro cell" refers to a cell
having a relatively wide coverage, such as a cell configured by a
conventional eNB, and a "macro eNB" refers to an eNB configuring a
macro cell. A "small cell" refers to a cell having a relatively
narrow coverage, such as a downsized cell, and a "small eNB" refers
to an eNB configuring a small cell.
[0175] The macro eNB may be, for example, a "wide area base
station" described in Non-Patent Document 7.
[0176] The small eNB may be, for example, a low power node, local
area node, or hotspot. Alternatively, the small eNB may be a pico
eNB configuring a pico cell, a femto eNB configuring a femto cell,
HeNB, remote radio head (RRH), remote radio unit (RRU), remote
radio equipment (RRE), or relay node (RN). Still alternatively, the
small eNB may be a "local area base station" or "home base station"
described in Non-Patent Document 7.
[0177] FIG. 7 shows the concept of the cell configuration in which
macro eNBs and small eNBs coexist. The macro cell configured by a
macro eNB has a relatively-wide-range coverage 701. A small cell
configured by a small eNB has a coverage 702 whose range is
narrower than that of the coverage 701 of a macro eNB (macro
cell).
[0178] When a plurality of eNBs coexist, the coverage of the cell
configured by an eNB may be included in the coverage of the cell
configured by another eNB. In the cell configuration shown in FIG.
7, as indicated by a reference "704" or "705", the coverage 702 of
the small cell configured by a small eNB may be included in the
coverage 701 of the macro cell configured by a macro eNB.
[0179] As indicated by the reference "705", the coverages 702 of a
plurality of, for example, two small cells may be included in the
coverage 701 of one macro cell. A user equipment (UE) 703 is
included in, for example, the coverage 702 of the small cell and
performs communication via the small cell.
[0180] In the cell configuration shown in FIG. 7, as indicated by a
reference "706", the coverage 701 of the macro cell configured by a
macro eNB may overlap the coverages 702 of the small cells
configured by small eNBs in a complicated manner.
[0181] As indicated by a reference "707", the coverage 701 of the
macro cell configured by a macro eNB may not overlap the coverages
702 of the small cells configured by small eNBs.
[0182] Further, as indicated by a reference "708", the coverages
702 of a large number of small cells configured by a large number
of small eNBs may be configured in the coverage 701 of one macro
cell configured by one macro eNB.
[0183] The conventional LTE and LTE-A define the Multiple Input
Multiple Output (MIMO) systems. The MIMO is known as a technique
for enabling a plurality of signals to be transmitted at the same
frequency and with the same timing through spatial multiplexing of
the signals to increase the spectral efficiency. There are various
methods for calculating a transmission weight. For example, the LTE
and the LTE-A introduce a method in which a cell side holds, in
advance, a table for transmission weights that is called a codebook
to select one of the transmission weights from the codebook with
reference to the feedback information from a communication
terminal.
[0184] Aside from the method, a study has been conducted on
introduction of a method for measuring channel information between
a cell and a communication terminal and calculating a transmission
weight from the channel information as necessary without using the
codebook, as the next generation communication systems. The method
enables derivation of a transmission weight with higher precision
through calculation thereof from the channel information obtained
from a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) received
by the communication terminal or a sounding reference signal (SRS)
received by a base station. This transmission weight will be
referred to as a precoding weight.
[0185] A method for selecting a codebook is determined by a
one-to-one correspondence between a cell and a communication
terminal. Thus, a problem with influence of interference with
communication terminals served by the other cells will arise. Table
6.3.4.2.3-2 in chapter 6.3.4 of Non-Patent Document 6 shows an
example of the codebook. This table shows the example when the cell
has 4 antenna ports. A precoding matrix indicator (PMI) and a rank
indicator (RI) are found based on the CSI measured by the
communication terminal. The transmission weight to be applied to
the MIMO is determined through feedback of the found table to the
cell side.
[0186] In the conventional MIMO, the cell determines a codebook for
the UEs being served thereby in consideration of the antenna port
solely for its own cell. Here, a cell to which the UE is not
connected or a cell that is not communicating is not considered.
Thus, under a communication environment in the presence of a
plurality of cells, interference occurs from the cell to which the
UE is not connected or the cell that is not communicating. When the
presumably optimal transmission weight is assigned to the UEs being
served by a cell within the same cell, the UEs being served by the
other cells may receive intense interference. Thus, the
interference from the other cells degrades the communication
quality, and reduces the communication rate. Moreover, the
communication capacity for a system will decrease. The first
embodiment will disclose a method for solving such problems.
[0187] The MIMO is performed using a plurality of cells. The MIMO
is performed between a plurality of cells and the UEs being served
by the cells. When the MIMO is performed, the precoding is
performed with the UEs being served by a plurality of cells using
the plurality of cells. According to the first embodiment, single
user-MIMO (SU-MIMO) is performed as the MIMO.
[0188] FIGS. 8 to 10 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method
for performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells. FIGS. 8 to
10 illustrate the adoption of two cells of a cell 1 and a cell 2. A
UE 1-n (n is a natural number) is a UE being served by the cell 1,
and a UE 2-m (m is a natural number) is a UE being served by the
cell 2. The MIMO is performed with each of the UEs being served by
the cells 1 and 2, using the cells 1 and 2. Different resources on
the frequency axis and the time axis (hereinafter may be referred
to as "f-t resources") are allocated to the UEs. When the f-t
resources allocated to the UEs are different, the UEs may be
allocated to the same time.
[0189] FIG. 8 illustrates an example structure of a communication
system when the SU-MIMO is performed with the UE 1-1 being served
by the cell 1. The precoding is performed with the UE 1-1 on a
plurality of layers using the cells 1 and 2 to form beams. A
different stream is transmitted to the UE 1-1 for each of the
layers. Since the precoding maintains the orthogonality between the
beams formed for each of the layers, the UE 1-1 can receive a
plurality of the transmitted streams. Thus, the SU-MIMO is
performed with the UE 1-1 using the cells 1 and 2.
[0190] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the SU-MIMO is
performed using the cells 1 and 2. Consequently, the precoding is
performed with the UE 1-1 in consideration of the transmission not
only from the cell 1 but also from the cell 2. Since the
interference from the cell 2 to the UE 1-1 can be reduced more than
that when the SU-MIMO is performed only with the cell 1, the
interference from the non-serving cell to the UE can be
reduced.
[0191] FIG. 9 illustrates an example structure of the communication
system when the SU-MIMO is performed with the UE 1-3 being served
by the cell 1. FIG. 10 illustrates an example structure of the
communication system when the SU-MIMO is performed with the UE 2-3
being served by the cell 2. Performing the SU-MIMO with each of the
UEs using the cells 1 and 2 enables reduction in the interference
from a non-serving cell to the UE.
[0192] A specific example structure of the communication system
when the SU-MIMO is performed using a plurality of cells will be
disclosed. A cell notifies the surrounding cells of settings for
measuring the channel information of its own cell (hereinafter may
be referred to as "CSI settings"). The cell may notify the
identifier of its own cell together with the CSI settings, or
include the identifier of its own cell in the CSI settings to
notify the identifier. This enables the cell upon receipt of the
CSI settings to recognize for which cell the CSI settings are.
Consequently, the cell can recognize the CSI settings of the
surrounding cells.
[0193] The CSI settings are, for example, information on a signal
for measuring the channel information for each cell. The signal for
measuring the channel information for each cell may be a signal
with a known sequence. The CSI settings may be information on the
known sequence of the signal for measuring the channel information
for each cell. The CSI settings may be, for example, information on
a reference signal (CSI-RS) for each antenna port of a cell.
[0194] The CSI settings may include mapping information on the
signal for measuring the channel information for each cell.
Examples of the mapping information include an insertion position
and an insertion period of a frequency and a time, etc., a
transmission power, and an offset power value relative to a
reference transmission power value.
[0195] The CSI settings may include information for measuring the
channel information (hereinafter may be referred to as "channel
measuring information"). Examples of the channel measuring
information include the number of filtering operations, a filtering
duration, and a measuring period.
[0196] The CSI settings may include information for reporting a
result of the measured channel information. Examples of the
information for reporting the result of the measured channel
information include report timing and a reporting period.
[0197] The CSI settings may include information on a method for
estimating a channel. The information on a method for estimating a
channel that is included in the CSI settings may include
information on an estimate to be used for the estimation. The
estimate may be an instantaneous value. The estimate may be an
average for a constant duration during which filtering has been
performed. The CSI settings may include information on
cross-correlation with signals of a serving cell. The CSI settings
may include information indicating which one of the CSI-RS and the
SRS is used. The information on cross-correlation with signals of
the serving cell that is found from the measurement result may be
replaced with an estimate for a channel.
[0198] The method for estimating a channel is a method for
estimating the channel information. Here, the channel information
is distortion information on phase and amplitude of a signal given
in a space between a cell and a communication terminal. The channel
information is derived using a signal with a known sequence, for
example, a reference signal such as the CSI-RS and the SRS. Methods
for deriving the channel information include two methods: a
measuring method using the CSI-RS (downlink) and a measuring method
using the SRS (uplink). Out of these, Patent Document 6 describes
the measuring method using the CSI-RS. Non-Patent Document 13
describes the measuring method using the SRS.
[0199] A serving cell is a system cell that establishes a radio
link with a radio communication terminal. The signals of the
serving cell are signals generally received from the serving cell.
The signals include data channels, control channels, RSs, and all
the signals. The signals are RSs if nothing is particularly
specified. In FIGS. 8 to 10, a serving cell of the UE 1-n (n is a
natural number) is the cell 1. A serving cell of the UE 2-m (m is a
natural number) is the cell 2.
[0200] The information on cross-correlation with signals of the
serving cell is information indicating a cross-correlation between
the channel information between a serving cell and a communication
terminal connected to the serving cell and the channel information
between a non-serving cell and the communication terminal. For
example, the information on cross-correlation with signals of the
serving cell in FIGS. 8 to 10 is a correlation value between the
channel information between the cell 1 and the UE 1-1 and the
channel information between the cell 2 and the UE 1-1.
[0201] When the channel information is estimated using the RS, the
information on cross-correlation with signals of the serving cell
corresponds to correlation information between a receiving vector
of the RS transmitted from a serving cell and received by a TIE and
a receiving vector of the RS transmitted from a non-serving cell
and received by the UE.
[0202] The CSI settings may be notified via the X2 interface. When
a cell is installed or when the CSI settings are updated, the CSI
settings may be notified to the surrounding cells. The CSI settings
may be included in an existing message. For example, the CSI
settings may be included in an "X2 SETUP REQUEST" message and
notified via the message when a cell is installed. The CSI settings
may also be included in an "eNB Configuration Update" message and
notified via the message when the CSI settings are updated.
Including the CSI settings in an existing message eliminates the
need for providing a new message, and enables simplification of
communication control between cells and reduction in the signaling
load between the cells. The X2 interface allows for a notification
with lower latency.
[0203] The CSI settings may be notified via the S1 interface. When
a cell is installed or when the CSI settings are updated, the CSI
settings may be notified to the surrounding cells. The CSI settings
may be notified through a core network node, for example, an MME.
The CSI settings may be included in an existing message to be
notified. The CSI settings may be included in, for example, an "S1
SETUP REQUEST" message, an "eNB Configuration Update" message, an
"eNB Configuration Transfer" message, an "MME Direct Information
Transfer" message, etc. to be notified. Including the CSI settings
in an existing message eliminates the need for providing a new
message, and enables simplification of communication control
between cells and reduction in the signaling load between the
cells.
[0204] Each of the cells may make the CSI settings. Consequently,
the settings can be made according to the number of antenna ports
of its own cell and a use state of resources.
[0205] As an alternative method, a node with a function of
concentrating control over a plurality of cells may make the CSI
settings of each of the cells. Hereinafter, the node with the
function of concentrating control over a plurality of cells will be
referred to as a "concentrator". The eNB may have the function.
When the eNB has the function, the eNB plays a role as the
concentrator. The MME may have the function of the concentrator.
Here, the S1 interface is used.
[0206] In the next generation communication systems, dividing base
stations into a Centralized Unit (CU) and Distributed Units (DUs)
is under study (see Non-Patent Document 8). In such a case, the
base stations, that is, either the CU or the DUs may have the
function. Alternatively, the CU may have a part of the function,
and the DUs may have the other parts of the function. For example,
when the MIMO is performed using a plurality of cells in one of the
DUs, the DU may have the function. For example, when the MIMO is
performed using cells in a different one of the DUs, the CU may
have the function. Consequently, even when the CU and the DUs are
separately arranged, the MIMO can be performed using a plurality of
cells.
[0207] When the concentrator makes the CSI settings of each of the
cells, the concentrator notifies the cells being served thereby of
the CSI settings of the cell. The concentrator may notify the
identifier of each of the cells together with the CSI settings, or
include the identifier in the CSI settings to notify the
identifier. This enables the cell upon receipt of the CSI settings
to recognize for which cell the CSI settings are.
[0208] As an alternative method, operation administration and
maintenance (OAM) may make the CSI settings of each of the cells.
When the OAM makes the CSI settings of each of the cells, the OAM
notifies the cells being served thereby of the CSI settings of the
cell. The OAM may notify the identifier of each of the cells
together with the CSI settings, or include the identifier in the
CSI settings to notify the identifier. This enables the cell upon
receipt of the CSI settings to recognize for which cell the CSI
settings are.
[0209] A cell notifies the UEs being served thereby of the CSI
settings of its own cell. The cell also notifies the UEs being
served thereby of the CSI settings of the surrounding cells. The
cell may broadcast the CSI settings as the broadcast information.
Alternatively, the cell may notify the UE of the CSI settings via
dedicated signaling.
[0210] A group of cells capable of the MIMO may be set.
Alternatively, a pair of cells capable of the MIMO may be set. The
group of cells capable of the MIMO or the pair of cells capable of
the MIMO will be hereinafter referred to as a MIMO cell. The OAM
may determine the MIMO cell. Alternatively, the concentrator may
determine the MIMO cell. The OAM or the concentrator notifies the
MIMO cell of identifiers of cells included in the MIMO cell.
Consequently, each of the cells included in the MIMO cell can
recognize with which cell the MIMO can be performed. Each of the
cells included in the MIMO cell can also recognize cells to which
the CSI settings are notified.
[0211] The cell to which the CSI settings are notified may be
limited to a cell capable of the MIMO with its own cell. The cells
to which the CSI settings are notified may be limited to the MIMO
cells. The cell capable of the MIMO may be changed for each UE.
Consequently, the amount of signaling for making the CSI settings
between the cells can be reduced.
[0212] Upon receipt of the CSI settings of a serving cell and the
CSI of the surrounding cells from the serving cell, the UE measures
the channel information with the CSI settings. The UE notifies the
serving cell of a result of the measured channel information. When
the signal for measuring the channel information is the CSI-RS, the
UE notifies the CSI as the measurement result.
[0213] The channel information found from the CSI-RS or the SRS may
be a complex matrix with size of a product of the number of
transmission antenna ports of the relevant cell and the number of
reception antennas of the relevant UE.
[0214] The UE may notify the serving cell of the result of the
measured channel information via the RRC signaling. The RRC
signaling enables the transmission at a lower error rate under the
retransmission control.
[0215] As an alternative method, an L1/L2 control channel may be
used. For example, the PUCCH may be used under the LTE. With the
L1/L2 control channel, the transmission latency can be reduced.
Thus, the channel information measured by the UE can be notified to
the serving cell earlier, and reflected on the MIMO earlier.
[0216] Consequently, the serving cell can obtain the results of the
measured channel information of its own cell and the surrounding
cells from the UEs being served thereby.
[0217] Upon obtainment of the results of the measured channel
information of its own cell and the surrounding cells from the UEs
being served thereby, the cell notifies the results of the measured
channel information to a node for scheduling and precoding. A node
for scheduling and a node for precoding may be separately provided.
When the node for scheduling and the node for precoding are
separately provided, the cell may notify both the node for
scheduling and the node for precoding of the results of the
measured channel information from the UEs being served thereby.
[0218] Assume that the node for scheduling and precoding is a
concentrator.
[0219] When one eNB configuring the cells that perform the MIMO in
a coordinated manner is a concentrator, the result of the measured
channel information is notified between eNBs. The result of the
measured channel information may be notified via the X2 interface.
Alternatively, the result of the measured channel information may
be notified via the S1 interface. The result of the measured
channel information may be notified through a core network node,
for example, an MIME. Alternatively, the result of the measured
channel information may be included in an existing message of the
X2 interface or the S1 interface to be notified. Here, the method
disclosed as the method for notifying the CSI settings may be
applied. Consequently, the same advantages as those of the method
disclosed as the method for notifying the CSI settings can be
produced.
[0220] When obtaining, from a cell being served by a concentrator,
results of the measured channel information on a serving cell and
the surrounding cells of the UEs being served by its own cell, the
concentrator schedules all the UEs being served by a plurality of
cells that perform the MIMO in a coordinated manner. The scheduling
includes allocation of the f-t resources and the modulation and
coding scheme (MCS). In the SU-MIMO, one UE is scheduled per f-t
resource. The concentrator schedules all the UEs, which can
facilitate the execution of the SU-MIMO.
[0221] The concentrator that schedules all the UEs being served by
a plurality of cells that perform the MIMO in a coordinated manner
performs the precoding with all the UEs being served by the
plurality of cells that perform the MIMO in a coordinated manner.
Specifically, the concentrator derives precoding weights using the
results of the measured channel information of the UEs that are
obtained from the cells being served thereby. Consequently, the
concentrator can perform the precoding for the SU-MIMO using a
plurality of cells.
[0222] The concentrator notifies each of the cells that perform the
MIMO in a coordinated manner of a result of the scheduling. Here,
the concentrator may notify the scheduling information of each of
the cells.
[0223] The concentrator notifies each of the cells that perform the
MIMO in a coordinated manner of a result of the precoding. Here,
the concentrator notifies precoding information on each of the
cells.
[0224] Consequently, transmission from each of the cells that
perform the MIMO in a coordinated manner to all the UEs becomes
possible.
[0225] When one eNB configuring the cells that perform the MIMO in
a coordinated manner is a concentrator, the scheduling information
or the precoding information is notified between eNBs. The
scheduling information or the precoding information may be notified
via the X2 interface. Alternatively, the scheduling information or
the precoding information may be notified via the S1 interface. The
scheduling information or the precoding information may be notified
through a core network node, for example, an MME. Alternatively,
the scheduling information or the precoding information may be
included in an existing message of the X2 interface or the S1
interface to be notified. Alternatively, the method disclosed as
the method for notifying the CSI settings may be applied.
Consequently, the same advantages as those of the method disclosed
as the method for notifying the CSI settings can be produced.
[0226] Each of the cells schedules all the UEs with the scheduling
information notified from the concentrator.
[0227] Each of the cells sets the MIMO to all the UEs with the
precoding information notified from the concentrator.
[0228] The MIMO settings may include calculation of a precoding
weight by the concentrator based on the CSI measured by each of the
target UEs. The MIMO settings may include information in which
transmission data streams are associated with the calculated
precoding weights. The MIMO settings may include information in
which transmission data is associated with the transmission target
UEs. The MIMO settings may include information obtained by
multiplying a precoding weight by the transmission data. The MIMO
settings may include settings for modulation schemes for
transmission data streams. The MIMO settings may include a coding
rate. The MIMO settings may include settings for the number of
transmission streams with rank adaptation.
[0229] The rank adaptation indicates the number of data streams
that are calculated from the channel information and that can be
transmitted.
[0230] A cell performs DL transmission to all the UEs for SU-MIMO
transmission. The cell performs DL transmission to UEs not being
served thereby. Conventionally, the cell does not perform the DL
transmission to the UEs not being served thereby. The cell enables
the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells through the DL transmission
even to the UEs not being served thereby. Consequently, the UE can
reduce the interference from a non-serving cell.
[0231] The cell notifies the UEs being served thereby of scheduling
information on a downlink physical channel (PDSCH) for the DL
transmission. The scheduling information may be notified via an
L1/L2 control channel. For example, a PDCCH or an EPDCCH may be
used.
[0232] The cell may apply a UE-specific reference signal dedicated
to the UE, such as a DM-RS, as a downlink physical channel (PDSCH)
for the DL transmission for the UEs not being served thereby to
perform the DL transmission to the UEs not being served thereby.
Conventionally, a reference signal for each cell (CRS) has been
used as the PDSCH. Application of the UE-dedicated reference signal
enables the UE to receive the PDSCH from a non-serving cell.
[0233] A serving cell may determine the UE-dedicated reference
signal. The serving cell notifies the UE of information on the
UE-dedicated reference signal. The information on the UE-dedicated
reference signal may be notified via the RRC signaling. The
information on the UE-dedicated reference signal may be notified
via dedicated signaling because the information is UE-dedicated
information.
[0234] Alternatively, the information may be notified via the MAC
signaling. Alternatively, the information may be notified via the
L1/L2 control channel. This enables the dynamic application with
less latency.
[0235] A concentrator may determine the UE-dedicated reference
signal. The concentrator notifies the UE of information on the
UE-dedicated reference signal through the serving cell. The
concentrator determines UE-dedicated reference signals, which
enables allocation of the UE-dedicated reference signals to a
plurality of cells without any overlap. Thus, it is possible for
the UE to eliminate erroneous receipt of the PDSCH transmitted to
another UE.
[0236] The serving cell notifies the UEs being served thereby of a
cell identifier of a non-serving cell. The UE can receive a signal
from the non-serving cell with the identifier. If an identifier of
the serving cell is identical to the identifier of the non-serving
cell, the notification may be omitted. Without any notification of
the identifier of the non-serving cell, the UE may consider the
identifier of the non-serving cell to be the same as the identifier
of the serving cell.
[0237] FIGS. 11 to 12 illustrate an example sequence on a method
for performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells. FIGS. 11 and
12 are connected across a location of a border BL1. FIGS. 11 to 12
illustrate one example of performing the SU-MIMO using the cells 1
and 2. FIGS. 11 to 12 also illustrate processes to be performed by
the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served by the cell 1 and
the UE 2-3 being served by the cell 2.
[0238] In Step ST901, the cell 2 notifies the CSI settings of its
own cell to the cell 1 that is the surrounding cell.
[0239] In Step ST902, the cell 1 notifies the CSI settings of its
own cell to the cell 2 that is the surrounding cell.
[0240] In Step ST903, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-1 being served
thereby of the CSI settings of its own cell and the CSI settings of
the cell 2.
[0241] In Step ST904, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-3 being served
thereby of the CSI settings of its own cell and the CSI settings of
the cell 2.
[0242] In Step ST905, the cell 2 notifies the UE 2-3 being served
thereby of the CSI settings of its own cell and the CSI settings of
the cell 1.
[0243] Upon receipt of the CSI settings of the serving cell and the
surrounding cell, the UE 2-3, the UE 1-3, and the UE 1-1 measure
the channel information with the CSI settings in Step ST906, Step
ST907, and Step ST908, respectively. The UEs measure the channel
information of not only the serving cell but also the surrounding
cell, that is, the non-serving cell.
[0244] In Step ST909, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 1 that is the
serving cell of the results of the measured channel information of
the cells 1 and 2.
[0245] In Step ST910, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 1 that is the
serving cell of the results of the measured channel information of
the cells 1 and 2.
[0246] In Step ST911, the UE 2-3 notifies the cell 2 that is the
serving cell of the results of the measured channel information of
the cells 1 and 2.
[0247] In Step ST912, the cell 1 notifies the concentrator of the
results of the measured channel information of the cells 1 and 2
obtained from the UE 1-1 being served thereby, together with a UEID
that is an identifier of the UE.
[0248] In Step ST913, the cell 1 notifies the concentrator of the
results of the measured channel information of the cells 1 and 2
obtained from the UE 1-3 being served thereby, together with a UEID
that is an identifier of the UE.
[0249] In Step ST914, the cell 2 notifies the concentrator of the
results of the measured channel information of the cells 1 and 2
obtained from the UE 2-3 being served thereby, together with a UEID
that is an identifier of the UE.
[0250] Upon obtainment of the results of the measured channel
information of the cells 1 and 2 from the UEs being served by the
cells 1 and 2 in Step ST912, Step ST913, and Step ST914, the
concentrator performs a process in Step ST915. In Step ST915, the
concentrator schedules all the UEs being served by the cells 1 and
2.
[0251] Upon obtainment of the results of the measured channel
information of the cells 1 and 2 from the UEs being served by the
cells 1 and 2 in Step ST912, Step ST913, and Step ST914, the
concentrator performs a process in Step ST916. In Step ST916, the
concentrator derives precoding weights of all the UEs being served
by the cells 1 and 2.
[0252] In Step ST917, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of
scheduling information on the cell 2 of all the UEs being served by
the cells 1 and 2.
[0253] In Step ST918 of FIG. 12, the concentrator notifies the cell
1 of scheduling information on the cell 1 of all the UEs being
served by the cells 1 and 2.
[0254] In Step ST919, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of
precoding information on the cell 2 of all the UEs being served by
the cells 1 and 2.
[0255] In Step ST920, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of
precoding information on the cell 1 of all the UEs being served by
the cells 1 and 2.
[0256] In Step ST921, the cell 1 schedules all the UEs with the
scheduling information received in Step ST918.
[0257] In Step ST922, the cell 2 schedules all the UEs with the
scheduling information received in Step ST917.
[0258] In Step ST923, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of all the
UEs with the precoding information received in Step ST920.
[0259] In Step ST924, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of all the
UEs with the precoding information received in Step ST919.
[0260] In Step ST925, the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST921 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST923.
[0261] In Step ST926, the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST921 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST923.
[0262] In Step ST927, the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST921 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST923.
[0263] In Step ST928, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST922 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST924.
[0264] In Step ST929, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST922 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST924.
[0265] In Step ST930, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST922 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST924.
[0266] In this manner, a plurality of cells, that is, the cells 1
and 2 herein perform the SU-MIMO transmission to the UE 1-1, the UE
1-3, and the UE 2-3.
[0267] The method disclosed in the first embodiment enables
precoding using a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells and
the UEs being served by the cells can perform the SU-MIMO. When the
SU-MIMO is performed, the precoding can be performed with the UEs
being served by a plurality of cells using the plurality of
cells.
[0268] The SU-MIMO with the result of the measured channel
information of the surrounding cell other than the serving cell of
the UE can reduce the interference from the surrounding cell other
than the serving cell. Reduction in the interference from the
surrounding cell can increase the communication quality for the UE.
Moreover, the communication capacity for a system can be increased.
Particularly, outstanding advantages can be produced in a situation
where there are many small cells and the interference between the
cells increases.
[0269] First Modification of First Embodiment
[0270] The first embodiment discloses the method for performing the
SU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality of cells. The first
embodiment merely discloses the method for performing the SU-MIMO
in consideration of a plurality of cells, and does not mention
selection of a communication terminal (UE) to be subjected to the
SU-MIMO. Efficiently selecting the target UE is necessary to
sufficiently obtain the advantages of the MIMO using a plurality of
cells. Without selecting the UE, the amount of information to be
notified from the UE to the cell will be enormous. The UE needs to
measure the CSI of not only the serving cell but also another cell
that is the non-serving cell, and report the results. Thus, the
following five problems (1) to (5) will arise:
[0271] (1) the power consumption of the UE will be increased; (2)
enormous amounts of uplink f-t resources are required to report the
measurement results; (3) resources for data will decrease; (3) the
precoding computation will increase and be complicated: and (5) the
scheduling of many UEs will be complicated.
[0272] To solve such problems, a solution according to the first
modification of the first embodiment will be disclosed
hereinafter.
[0273] The UE determines the presence or absence of a cell whose
interference is a problem, from a result of the measured CST. The
UE does not notify a cell of the result of the measured CSI of a
cell whose interference is not a problem.
[0274] No notification of the result of the measured CSI to the
cell can reduce the uplink f-t resources.
[0275] If the interference with the UE is not a problem, the cell
does not notify the concentrator of the result of the measured CSI.
If the result of the measured CSI is not notified, the concentrator
derives a precoding weight with a predetermined value. Here, the
predetermined value may be, for example, a value with an amplitude
of 0. The result of the measured CSI of a cell whose interference
is not a problem may not be considered in deriving a precoding
weight by its exclusion from the calculation.
[0276] As described in the first embodiment, the target UEs being
served by each cell other than the UEs whose interference is a
problem may be scheduled not through a process of transmitting
information to the concentrator but through an independent process
in the cell. Here, a plurality of cells perform, in a coordinated
manner, the SU-MIMO with the UE 1-1 being served by its own cell
whose interference is a problem, whereas each of the cells performs
normal SU-MIMO with the UE where interference from the other cells
is not a problem.
[0277] The UE needs to identify a cell whose interference is not a
problem. Information measured on the UE side is available as a
method for identifying the cell whose interference is not a
problem. Here, the downlink reference signal received power (RSRP),
the Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), or a
signal-to-interference-plus-noise power ratio (abbreviated as SINR)
each of which can be measured from the CSI-RS may be used. The size
of an eigenvalue found from a matrix of the measured channel
information may be used. When the measured value is smaller than a
predetermined threshold, it may be determined that interference is
not a problem. CST-interference measurement (CSI-IM) or CSI-RS
(zero power) may be used as a signal to be measured when the UE
identifies a cell whose interference is a problem. Alternatively,
the CRS may be used.
[0278] The predetermined threshold may be statically predetermined,
or notified from the serving cell to the UE. The predetermined
threshold may be broadcast via a broadcast channel, or may be
individually signaled. When it is determined that interference is
not a problem, the UE may transmit information indicating no
interference.
[0279] FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate another example sequence on the
method for performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells. FIGS.
13 and 14 are connected across a location of a border BL2. FIGS. 14
and 15 are connected across a location of a border BL3. FIGS. 13 to
15 illustrate performing the SU-MIMO using the cells 1 and 2. FIGS.
13 to 15 also illustrate processes to be performed by the UE 1-1
and the UE 1-3 that are being served by the cell 1 and the UE 2-3
being served by the cell 2. Since the sequence illustrated in FIGS.
13 to 15 includes the same Steps as those in the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the same step numbers will be
assigned to the same Steps and the common description thereof will
be omitted.
[0280] In Step ST1001 after the processes in Steps ST901 to ST908,
the UE 2-3 determines the presence or absence of a cell whose
interference is not a problem from the measurement result obtained
in Step ST906.
[0281] In Step ST1002, the UE 1-3 determines the presence or
absence of a cell whose interference is not a problem from the
measurement result obtained in Step ST907.
[0282] In Step ST1003, the UE 1-1 determines the presence or
absence of a cell whose interference is not a problem from the
measurement result obtained in Step ST908.
[0283] In Step ST1004, the UE 2-3 identifies the cell 1 as the cell
whose interference is nota problem.
[0284] In Step ST1005, the UE 1-3 identifies the cell 2 as the cell
whose interference is not a problem.
[0285] In Step ST1006, the UE 1-1 identifies the absence of the
cell whose interference is not a problem.
[0286] Next in Step ST910a after the process in Steps ST909 of FIG.
14, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 1 that is the serving cell of the
result of the measured channel information of the cell 1.
[0287] In Step ST911a, the UE 2-3 notifies the cell 2 that is the
serving cell of the result of the measured channel information of
the cell 2.
[0288] In Step ST913a, the cell 1 notifies the concentrator of the
result of the measured channel information of the cell 1 obtained
from the UE 1-3 being served thereby, together with a UEID that is
an identifier of the UE.
[0289] In Step ST914a, the cell 2 notifies the concentrator of the
result of the measured channel information of the cell 2 obtained
from the UE 2-3 being served thereby, together with a UEID that is
an identifier of the UE.
[0290] Next, processes in Steps ST915 and ST916 will be
performed.
[0291] In Step ST917a, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of
scheduling information of the UEs being served by the cell 2.
[0292] In Step ST918a, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of
scheduling information of the UEs being served by the cell 1.
[0293] Next, processes in Steps ST919 and ST920 will be performed.
The CSI measured by the UEs is notified from the cells to the
concentrator in this order. Then, the concentrator schedules all
the UEs being served by a plurality of cells, and derives precoding
weights of the UEs. The derived precoding weights are notified to
each of the cells.
[0294] In Step ST1007 of FIG. 15, the cell 1 schedules the UEs
being served thereby, based on the scheduling information notified
from the concentrator in Step ST918.
[0295] In Step ST1008, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served
thereby, based on the scheduling information notified from the
concentrator in Step ST917.
[0296] Next, processes in Steps ST923 and ST924 will be
performed.
[0297] Then in Steps ST925 to ST930, the MIMO transmission is
performed to the UEs being served thereby, similarly as FIG.
12.
[0298] Consequently, the uplink f-t resources for reporting the
results of the measured CSI can be reduced. Decrease in the
resources for the UL data that are necessary for transmitting the
CSI can be suppressed. Decrease in the number of the target UEs can
reduce complexity of deriving precoding weights and scheduling the
UEs.
[0299] Second Modification of First Embodiment
[0300] The processes of performing the SU-MIMO in consideration of
a plurality of cells require a process of precoding with all the
UEs being served by the plurality of cells inclusive, which
complicates the processes. This causes an increase in power
consumption of base stations, an increase in circuit scale, and an
increase in control latency. Since the number of target UEs is
many, a problem with complexity in the scheduling will arise.
[0301] To solve such problems, a solution according to the second
modification of the first embodiment will be disclosed
hereinafter.
[0302] The first modification of the first embodiment discloses the
method for performing the SU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality
of cells. The UE selects a communication terminal subjected to the
SU-MIMO according to the first modification of the first
embodiment. The second modification will disclose a method in which
a cell selects a UE where interference is a problem, based on
information from the UE. Not the UE but the cell makes the
selection, thus enabling reduction in the computational load of the
UE. Moreover, the amount of information to be used for notification
between the cell and the concentrator can be reduced.
[0303] Methods for determining the UE subjected to the SU-MIMO
include the determination methods performed by a cell and by a
concentrator or a high-level node.
[0304] The method for determining the UE subjected to the SU-MIMO
may be the determination method by measuring the reception quality
such as the RSRP, the RSRQ, or the SINR with the downlink CSI-RS.
Here, when the measured value is smaller than a predetermined
threshold, it may be determined that interference is not a
problem.
[0305] The determination may be made from an eigenvalue
corresponding to each UE and found from the measured channel
information. The determination may be made from a measurement
result of CSI-RS (non-zero power) from the UE. Alternatively, the
determination may be made by finding a magnitude of interference
occurring in the other UEs with a signal, based on a measurement
result of CSI-IM from the UE. The determination may be made from a
measurement result of CSI-RS (zero power). The determination may be
made from a measurement result of CRS.
[0306] When interference is not a problem according to the
measurement result, the UE may transmit information indicating no
interference.
[0307] The determination may be made by measuring not the downlink
CSI but the uplink SRS in a serving cell and a non-serving cell to
measure which cell interferes with which UE.
[0308] The cell side or the concentrator side may determine the UE
where interference is a problem, unlike the first modification of
the first embodiment.
[0309] When a notification from the UE indicates that a magnitude
of interference is larger than a threshold, the cell will be an
interfering cell. Here, a predetermined threshold may be statically
predetermined or notified from the concentrator to the cell. When
it is determined that interference is not a problem, the cell may
notify the concentrator of no interference.
[0310] FIGS. 16 to 18 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method
for performing the SU-MIMO only with the UE where interference is a
problem. FIG. 16 illustrates that the cells 1 and 2 perform the
SU-MIMO with the UE 1-1 in a coordinated manner after limiting of
the UEs subjected to the SU-MIMO. FIG. 17 illustrates that the cell
1 performs the SU-MIMO only with the UE in its own cell. FIG. 18
illustrates that the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO only with the UE
in its own cell.
[0311] FIGS. 19 to 21 illustrate another example sequence on the
method for performing the SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells. FIGS.
19 and 20 are connected across a location of a border BL4. FIGS. 20
and 21 are connected across a location of a border BL5. FIGS. 19 to
21 illustrate one example of performing the SU-MIMO using the cells
1 and 2. FIGS. 19 to 21 also illustrate processes to be performed
by the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served by the cell 1
and the UE 2-3 being served by the cell 2. Since the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21 includes the same Steps as those in
the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the same step numbers
will be assigned to the same Steps and the common description
thereof will be omitted.
[0312] The second modification differs from the first embodiment in
that a cell determines the presence or absence of the UE where
interference is a problem after the UE measures the CSI.
[0313] In Step ST1201 after the processes in Steps ST901 to ST911,
the cell 1 determines the presence or absence of the UE where
interference is a problem. The channel information to be broadcast
from the UE as the CSI may be used for this determination.
Alternatively, the RSRP, the RSRQ, or the SINR may be used.
[0314] In Step ST1202, the cell 2 determines the presence or
absence of the UE where interference is a problem.
[0315] In Step ST1203, the cell 1 identifies the UE 1-1 as the UE
where interference is a problem.
[0316] In Step ST1204, the cell 2 identifies the absence of the UE
where interference is a problem.
[0317] Next in Step ST1205 of FIG. 20, the cell 1 broadcasts, to
the concentrator, the CSI, and the UEID of the identified UE
2-1.
[0318] In Step ST1206, the concentrator schedules the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0319] In Step ST1207, the concentrator derives a precoding weight
of the UE where interference is a problem.
[0320] In Step ST1208, the concentrator broadcasts, to the cell 2,
the scheduling information of the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0321] In Step ST1209, the concentrator broadcasts, to the cell 1,
the scheduling information of the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0322] In Step ST1210, the concentrator broadcasts, to the cell 2,
the precoding information on the cell 2 of the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0323] In Step ST1211, the concentrator broadcasts, to the cell 1,
the precoding information on the cell 1 of the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0324] In Step ST1212, the cell 1 schedules the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0325] In Step ST1213, the cell 2 schedules the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0326] In Step ST1214, the cell 1 schedules the other UEs being
served thereby.
[0327] In Step ST1215, the cell 2 schedules the other UEs being
served thereby.
[0328] Since the other UEs are UEs where interference is not a
problem, the SU-MIMO is independently performed in each of the
cells. Here, the scheduling is performed also in consideration of
the necessity of applying different RBs between the MIMO using a
plurality of cells and the MIMO using a single cell, by the
scheduling.
[0329] In Step ST1216, the cell 1 derives precoding weights of the
UEs being served by the cell 1.
[0330] In Step ST1217, the cell 2 derives precoding of the UEs
being served by the cell 2.
[0331] In Step ST1218, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs being served thereby and the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0332] In Step ST1219, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs being served thereby and the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0333] The processes in Steps in FIGS. 19 to 21 enable the SU-MIMO
in consideration of a plurality of cells, and the MIMO with the UEs
in its own cell which are not interfered by the other cells.
[0334] The MIMO in consideration of a plurality of cells can be
performed only with the UE where interference is a problem. The
precoding process can be limited only to the UE where interference
is a problem. Thus, the complexity in the precoding process can be
reduced. The power consumption of the base stations, the circuit
scale, and the control latency can be reduced.
[0335] Third Modification of First Embodiment
[0336] With the conventional technique of the MIMO, a cell
determines a codebook in consideration of only an antenna port of
its own cell to perform the MIMO with the UE. Here, a cell to which
the UE is not connected or a cell that is not communicating is not
considered. Thus, under a communication environment in the presence
of a plurality of cells, interference occurs from the cell to which
the UE is not connected or the cell that is not communicating.
[0337] Since the MIMO is performed within the same cell by
assigning the presumably optimal transmission weight to the UEs
being served by the cell, the UEs being served by the other cells
may receive intense interference. Thus, the interference from the
other cells degrades the communication quality, and reduces the
communication rate. Moreover, the communication capacity for a
system will decrease.
[0338] The object of the third modification is to provide a
communication system capable of solving such problems and
suppressing, under a communication environment in the presence of a
plurality of cells, degradation in the communication quality and
decrease in the communication rate and in the communication
capacity due to interference from the other cells.
[0339] To solve the problems, a solution according to the third
modification of the first embodiment will be disclosed
hereinafter.
[0340] The third modification will disclose a modification of the
first embodiment of performing the SU-MIMO in consideration of a
plurality of cells. The third modification is not based on the
SU-MIMO in which the MIMO using a plurality of cells is restricted
to one UE, but based on MU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality of
users.
[0341] FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by a plurality of
cells in consideration of the plurality of cells. As illustrated in
FIG. 22, a plurality of cells of the cells 1 and 2 perform the
MU-MIMO in a coordinated manner. The same method as that on the
SU-MIMO according to the first embodiment may be applied. The cell
2 transmits the PDSCH using a UE-specific reference signal with the
resources scheduled by the cell 1. Similarly, the cell 1 transmits
the PDSCH using a UE-specific reference signal with the resources
scheduled by the cell 2. Each of the UEs receives the PDSCH using
the UE-specific reference signal with the resources scheduled by
the serving cell.
[0342] When a codebook is used, both the cell 1 to be a serving
cell and the cell 2 to be a non-serving cell need to notify the
PCIs to the UEs. The UEs receive the PDSCH through knowledge of a
transmission weight used in the precoding, with the PCIs of the
cells 1 and 2.
[0343] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an example sequence on a method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a
problem inclusive, using a plurality of cells. FIGS. 23 and 24 are
connected across a location of a border BL6. Since the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 includes the same Steps as those in
the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, the same step numbers will be
assigned to the same Steps and the common description thereof will
be omitted.
[0344] The processes in Steps ST901 to ST915 will be performed
similarly as those in FIG. 11.
[0345] In Step ST1401, the concentrator derives precoding weights
of the UEs that perform the MU-MIMO.
[0346] In Step ST1402 of FIG. 24, the concentrator notifies the
cell 2 of the precoding information on the cell 2 of the UEs that
perform the MU-MIMO.
[0347] In Step ST1403, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of the
precoding information on the cell 1 of the UEs that perform the
MU-MIMO.
[0348] In Step ST1404, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served by
the cell 1.
[0349] In Step ST1405, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served by
the cell 2.
[0350] In Step ST1406, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs that perform the MU-MIMO.
[0351] In Step ST1407, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs that perform the MU-MIMO.
[0352] With application of the precoding information derived for
the MU-MIMO, the MU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality of cells
can be performed.
[0353] The MU-MIMO is possible by the precoding using a plurality
of cells. The MU-MIMO in consideration of the channel information
from the cells other than the serving cell enables reduction in the
interference from the other cells. Reduction in the interference
from the other cells can increase the communication quality.
Moreover, the communication capacity for a system can be increased.
Particularly, the outstanding advantages can be produced in a
situation where there are many small cells and the interference
between the cells increases.
[0354] Fourth Modification of First Embodiment
[0355] The processes of performing the MU-MIMO in consideration of
a plurality of cells require a process of precoding with all the
UEs being served by the plurality of cells inclusive, which
complicates the processes. This causes an increase in power
consumption of the base stations, an increase in circuit scale, and
an increase in control latency. Since the number of target UEs is
many, a problem with complexity in the scheduling will arise.
[0356] To solve such problems, a solution according to the fourth
modification of the first embodiment will be disclosed
hereinafter.
[0357] The fourth modification will disclose a modification of the
first embodiment of performing the MU-MIMO in consideration of a
plurality of cells. The fourth modification will disclose the
MU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality of users.
[0358] The presence of a plurality of UEs being served by a cell
increases the amount of processing in the MU-MIMO, and complicates
the processing. Thus, limiting the application of the MU-MIMO in
consideration of a plurality of cells to the UEs being served by
each of the cells where interference is a problem can reduce the
processing of the cell or a concentrator.
[0359] A serving cell can perform the MU-MIMO with the UEs where
interference from a non-serving cell is not a problem, in
consideration of only its own cell. Thus, the number of UEs
subjected to the MIMO using a plurality of cells can be
reduced.
[0360] The serving cell performs the DL transmission to the UEs
where interference is not a problem, in consideration of only its
own cell. The serving cell may perform the MU-MIMO. Here, the
serving cell performs precoding in consideration of not a plurality
of cells but only its own cell.
[0361] The method for determining the UEs subjected to the MU-MIMO
using a plurality of cells is the same as that according to the
second modification of the first embodiment. Allocating the same
f-t resources to the MIMO in consideration of a plurality of cells
and to the MIMO in consideration of its own cell makes it difficult
to maintain the mutual orthogonality. Thus, different f-t resources
are used.
[0362] Although the MU-MIMO is performed in the presence of a
plurality of the UEs being served by a cell, the MU-MIMO is
unnecessary in the presence of only one UE being served by the
cell. Thus, the MU-MIND is switched to the SU-MIMO.
[0363] Each of the cells schedules the UEs being served thereby
after the UEs subjected to the MU-MIMO using a plurality of cells
are determined. Each of the cells notifies the concentrator of the
scheduling information of the target UEs. Here, the information may
be transmitted to the UEs through the concentrator. Upon receipt of
the scheduling information, a coordinated cell notifies the
concentrator of the UEs whose scheduling has been made with the
same f-t resources. The CSI is also notified here.
[0364] The concentrator performs the MU-MIMO with the UEs that use
the same f-t resources.
[0365] When the base station determines, upon receipt of the
capability information of the UE for determination of the UEs
subjected to the MU-MIMO, that a UE is loaded with an interference
cancellation algorithm, the UE may be excluded from the
MU-MIMO.
[0366] FIGS. 25 to 27 are example conceptual diagrams illustrating
a method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells. FIG. 25
illustrates that the cells 1 and 2 perform the MU-MIMO with the UE
1-1 and the UE 2-1 in a coordinated manner after limiting of the
UEs subjected to the MU-MIMO. FIG. 26 illustrates that the cell 1
performs the MU-MIMO with the UE 1-2 and the UE 1-3 alone. FIG. 27
illustrates that the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO with the UE 2-2
and the UE 2-3 alone.
[0367] FIGS. 28 to 30 illustrate an example sequence on the method
for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where interference is
a problem, using a plurality of cells. FIGS. 28 and 29 are
connected across a location of a border BL7. FIGS. 29 and 30 are
connected across a location of a border BL8. Since the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 28 to 30 includes the same Steps as those in
the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21, the same step numbers will be
assigned to the same Steps and the common description thereof will
be omitted.
[0368] In Step ST1601, the cell 2 identifies the UE 2-1 as the UE
where interference is a problem.
[0369] In Step ST1602, the cell 2 broadcasts, to the concentrator,
the CSI, and the UEID of the identified UE.
[0370] The fourth modification differs from the third modification
of the first embodiment in that the third modification relates to
the SU-MIMO and the fourth modification relates to the MU-MIMO.
When transmission antennas have a degree of freedom in the MU-MIMO,
the UEs as many as the transmission antennas at the maximum can be
considered.
[0371] Performing the MIMO in consideration of a plurality of cells
only with the UEs where interference is a problem enables limiting
the precoding process in consideration of a plurality of cells that
will have a heavy load to the UEs where interference is a
problem.
[0372] Thus, the complexity in the precoding process can be
reduced. The power consumption of the base stations, the circuit
scale, and the control latency can be reduced.
[0373] The MU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality of cells can
increase the transmission rate of a system.
[0374] Fifth Modification of First Embodiment
[0375] The processes of performing the MU-MIMO in consideration of
a plurality of cells require a process of precoding with all the
UEs being served by the plurality of cells inclusive, which
complicates the processes. This causes an increase in power
consumption of the base stations, an increase in circuit scale, and
an increase in control latency. Since the number of target UEs is
many, a problem with complexity in the scheduling will arise.
[0376] To solve such problems, the fifth modification will
hereinafter disclose a solution different from that according to
the fourth modification of the first embodiment.
[0377] Limiting the application of the MU-MIMO in consideration of
a plurality of cells to the UEs where interference from a
non-serving cell is a problem can reduce the amount of
processing.
[0378] A serving cell performs the MU-MIMO with the UEs where
interference from a non-serving cell is not a problem, in
consideration of only its own cell. The UE may determine whether
interference is a problem by itself. Alternatively, the CSI and the
UEID may be notified, and the concentrator may make the
determination.
[0379] The method for determining the target UEs is the same as
that according to the second modification of the first embodiment.
Each cell is notified of the measured CSI from the UEs, and
identifies, based on the CSI, the UEs where interference from a
non-serving cell is a problem.
[0380] Each cell is notified of the CSI, and schedules the UEs
being served thereby with the CSI. Since disuse of the concentrator
reduces the processing latency, each cell can make the flexible
scheduling. The concentrator only calculates the precoding weight
in consideration of a plurality of cells.
[0381] FIGS. 31 and 32 are conceptual diagrams illustrating another
example method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells. FIG. 31
illustrates that the cells 1 and 2 perform the MU-MIMO with the UE
1-1 and the UE 2-2 in a coordinated manner after limiting of the
UEs subjected to the MU-MIMO. FIG. 32 illustrates that the cells 1
and 2 perform the MU-MIMO with the UE 2-1 and the UE 1-3 in a
coordinated manner.
[0382] FIGS. 33 to 35 illustrate another example sequence on the
method for performing the MU-MIMO only with the UEs where
interference is a problem, using a plurality of cells. FIGS. 33 and
34 are connected across a location of a border BL9. FIGS. 34 and 35
are connected across a location of a border BL10. Since the
sequence illustrated in FIGS. 33 to 35 includes the same Steps as
those in the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the
sequence illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21, the same step numbers will
be assigned to the same Steps and the common description thereof
will be omitted.
[0383] The fifth modification differs from the fourth modification
of the first embodiment in that each cell schedules the UEs being
served thereby and performs processing without routing through any
upper layer such as the concentrator.
[0384] In Step ST1701, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served by
the cell 1.
[0385] In Step ST1702, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served by
the cell 2.
[0386] In Step ST1801, the cell 1 broadcasts, to the cell 2, the
scheduling information of the UE where interference is a problem
and the UEID of the identified UE 1-1.
[0387] In Step ST1802, the cell 2 broadcasts, to the cell 1, the
scheduling information of the UE where interference is a problem
and the UEID of the identified UE 2-1.
[0388] In Step ST1803, the cell 1 identifies the UE 1-3 as the UE
that is scheduled on the same resources as those of the UE 2-1
where interference is a problem.
[0389] In Step ST1804, the cell 2 identifies the UE 2-2 as the UE
that is scheduled on the same resources as those of the UE 1-1
where interference is a problem.
[0390] In Step ST1805, the cell 2 notifies the concentrator of the
CSI, the UEID of the identified UE 2-2, and the scheduling
information.
[0391] In Step ST1806, the cell 1 notifies the concentrator of the
CSI, the UEID of the identified UE 1-3, and the scheduling
information.
[0392] In Step ST1807, the concentrator derives precoding weights
of the UEs where interference is a problem, in consideration of a
plurality of cells.
[0393] In Step ST1808, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of the
precoding information on the cell 2 of the UE that uses the same
resources as those of the UE where interference is a problem.
[0394] In Step ST1809, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of the
precoding information on the cell 1 of the UE that uses the same
resources as those of the UE where interference is a problem.
[0395] In Step ST1810, the cell 1 derives precoding weights of the
other UEs being served by the cell 1.
[0396] In Step ST1811, the cell 2 derives precoding weights of the
other UEs being served by the cell 2.
[0397] In Step ST1812, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs being served thereby and the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0398] In Step ST1813, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs being served thereby and the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0399] In addition to the advantages of the fourth modification of
the first embodiment, each of the cells can schedule the UEs being
served thereby in the fifth modification. Since each of the cells
makes an independent judgment, the flexible scheduling is possible
depending on a state of a channel.
[0400] Sixth Modification of First Embodiment
[0401] In the first embodiment, the cell estimates the uplink
channel information from a known signal, for example, the SRS. In
the sixth modification, when the uplink and the downlink are
operated at the same frequency as in the Time Division Duplex
(TDD), the downlink channel information is estimated using a
duality between uplink and downlink channel characteristics based
on an estimation result of the uplink channel information. The
method for estimating the downlink channel information (hereinafter
may be referred to as a "channel estimating method") is effective,
particularly when the uplink transmission and the downlink
transmission are based on the TDD. The channel estimating method
according to the sixth modification will be specifically described
hereinafter.
[0402] A serving cell notifies the UEs being served thereby of the
channel measuring information of its own cell. The serving cell
notifies the UEs being served thereby of the channel measuring
information on a cell that performs the MIMO in a coordinated
manner. For example, when the serving cell is the cell 1 and the
cell that performs the MIMO in a coordinated manner is the cell 2,
the cell 1 notifies the UEs being served thereby of the channel
measuring information on its own cell 1 and the channel measuring
information on the cell 2.
[0403] The serving cell adjusts the scheduling of the UEs to enable
estimation of the channel information with ease. For example, the
serving cell adjusts the transmission timing of each of the UEs so
that the SRSs of the UEs do not coincide with the same frequency
and the same timing. When the SRSs are signals that can be
demultiplexed in the code division multiplex (CDM), the serving
cell may adjust the scheduling so that a plurality of UEs
corresponding to the number of the demultiplexed signals can
transmit the SRSs simultaneously.
[0404] The UEs transmit, according to the scheduling notified from
the serving cell, the SRSs to the cells 1 and 2 based on the cell
IDs obtained from the channel measuring information, the scheduling
information, and synchronization information. The cell IDs herein
are identification information of the cells.
[0405] The UE may transmit a cell-specific sounding reference
signal different for each cell to which the signal is to be
transmitted. If the transmission timing to the cell 1 is different
from that to the cell 2, a known signal transmitted by the UE may
be a UE-specific signal. The known signal transmitted by the UE may
be a UE-specific sounding reference signal different for each
UE.
[0406] FIGS. 36 to 38 illustrate an example sequence on a method
for performing the SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method
according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment of the
present invention. FIGS. 36 and 37 are connected across a location
of a border BL11. FIGS. 37 and 38 are connected across a location
of a border BL12.
[0407] FIGS. 36 to 38 illustrate a sequence for performing the
SU-MIMO using a plurality of cells, specifically, the cells 1 and
2. FIGS. 36 to 38 illustrate processes to be performed by the UE
1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served by the cell 1 and the UE
2-3 being served by the cell 2.
[0408] In Step ST2701, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 of the
channel measuring information.
[0409] In Step ST2702, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 of the
channel measuring information.
[0410] In Step ST2703, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-3 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information of the cells 1 and
2.
[0411] In Step ST2704, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-1 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information of the cells 1 and
2.
[0412] In Step ST2705, the cell 2 notifies the UE 2-3 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information of the cells 1 and
2.
[0413] Examples of the channel measuring information include the
number of filtering operations, a filtering duration, and a
measuring period. The channel measuring information includes
scheduling information for the UE to measure the SRS.
[0414] The UE 2-3, the UE 1-3, and the UE 1-1 measure the downlink
channel information with the received channel measuring information
in Step ST2706, Step ST2707, and Step ST2708, respectively. The UEs
measure the downlink channel information of not only the serving
cell but also the surrounding cell, that is, the non-serving
cell.
[0415] In Step ST2709, the UE 2-3 determines the presence or
absence of a cell whose interference is not a problem from the
measurement result obtained in Step ST2706.
[0416] In Step ST2710, the UE 1-3 determines the presence or
absence of a cell whose interference is not a problem from the
measurement result obtained in Step ST2707.
[0417] In Step ST2711, the UE 1-1 determines the presence or
absence of a cell whose interference is not a problem from the
measurement result obtained in Step ST2708.
[0418] In Step ST2712, the UE 2-3 identifies a cell whose
interference is a problem, based on the result determined in Step
ST2709. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 36 to 38, the UE 2-3
identifies the cell 1 as the cell whose interference is a
problem.
[0419] In Step ST2713, the UE 1-3 identifies a cell whose
interference is a problem, based on the result determined in Step
ST2710. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 36 to 38, the UE 1-3
identifies the cell 2 as the cell whose interference is a
problem.
[0420] In Step ST2714, the UE 1-1 identifies a cell whose
interference is a problem, based on the result determined in Step
ST2711. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 36 to 38, the UE 1-1
identifies the absence of the cell whose interference is a
problem.
[0421] In the sixth modification, the UEs measure the SRS as the
uplink channel information, based on the scheduling information
notified by the channel measuring information in Steps ST2706,
ST2707, and ST2708.
[0422] Each of the UEs transmits, to the cells 1 and 2, the
measured SRS as a signal for measuring the uplink channel
information (hereinafter may be referred to as an "uplink channel
measuring signal"). The cells 1 and 2 measure the uplink channel
information from the SRS received from each of the UEs, and
estimate the downlink channel information from the measured uplink
channel information using a duality. Specifically, the cells 1 and
2 estimate the downlink channel information through processes from
Steps ST2715 to ST2723.
[0423] In Step ST2715, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 1 of the SRS
measured in Step ST2708 as an uplink channel measuring signal.
[0424] In Step ST2716, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 1 of the SRS
measured in Step ST2707 as an uplink channel measuring signal.
[0425] In Step ST2717, the UE 2-3 notifies the cell 1 of the SRS
measured in Step ST2706 as an uplink channel measuring signal.
[0426] In Step ST2718, the cell 1 measures the uplink channel
information from the uplink channel measuring signals notified from
the UEs, specifically, the SRSs. The cell 1 also estimates the
downlink channel information from the measured uplink channel
information using a duality.
[0427] In Step ST2719, the cell 1 notifies the concentrator of the
result of the measured channel information, together with UEIDs
that are identifiers of the UEs. The result of the measured channel
information includes results of the measured uplink channel
information that is the channel information of all the UEs, and a
result of the measured downlink channel information that is the
channel information of the cell 1.
[0428] In Step ST2720, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 2 of the SRS
measured in Step ST2707 as a channel measuring signal.
[0429] In Step ST2721, the UE 2-3 notifies the cell 2 of the SRS
measured in Step ST2706 as the uplink channel measuring signal.
[0430] In Step ST2722, the cell 2 measures the uplink channel
information from the uplink channel measuring signals notified from
the UE 1-3 and the UE 2-3, specifically, the SRSs. Furthermore, the
cell 2 estimates the downlink channel information from the measured
uplink channel information using a duality.
[0431] In Step ST2723 the cell 2 notifies the concentrator of the
result of the measured channel information, together with UEID that
are identifiers of the UEs. The result of the measured channel
information includes results of the measured uplink channel
information that is the channel information of the UE 1-3 and the
UE 2-3, and a result of the measured downlink channel information
that is the channel information of the cell 2.
[0432] In Step ST2724, the concentrator schedules all the UEs being
served by the cells 1 and 2.
[0433] In Step ST2725, the concentrator derives precoding weights
of all the UEs being served by the cells 1 and 2 from the results
of the measured channel information notified from the cells 1 and
2.
[0434] In Step ST2726, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of the
scheduling information of the UEs being served by the cell 2.
[0435] In Step ST2727, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of the
scheduling information of the UEs being served by the cell 1.
[0436] In Step ST2728, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of the
precoding information on the cell 2 of all the UEs being served by
the cells 1 and 2.
[0437] In Step ST2729, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of the
precoding information on the cell 1 of all the UEs being served by
the cells 1 and 2.
[0438] In Step ST2730, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served
thereby, based on the scheduling information notified from the
concentrator in Step ST2727.
[0439] In Step ST2731, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served
thereby, based on the scheduling information notified from the
concentrator in Step ST2726.
[0440] In Step ST2732, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of all
the UEs being served by the cells 1 and 2 with the precoding
information received in Step ST2729.
[0441] In Step ST2733, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of all
the UEs being served by the cells 1 and 2 with the precoding
information received in Step ST2728.
[0442] In Step ST2734, the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2731 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2733.
[0443] In Step ST2735, the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2731 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2733.
[0444] In Step ST2736, the cell 2 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2731 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2733.
[0445] In Step ST2737, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2730 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2732.
[0446] In Step ST2738, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2730 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2732.
[0447] In Step ST2739, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2730 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2732.
[0448] Consequently, a plurality of cells, that is, the cells 1 and
2 herein perform the SU-MIMO transmission to the UE 1-1, the UE
1-3, and the UE 2-3.
[0449] In the sixth modification, the UEs measure the channel
information of the surrounding cells to enable the coordinated MIMO
between the cells, similarly as the first embodiment. Thus, the UEs
can reduce the interference from the surrounding cells other than
the serving cell, thus enabling increase in the communication
quality.
[0450] The sixth modification is effective when the interference
between cells may increase, particularly when there are many small
cells. In other words, since the interference between cells can be
reduced with application of the sixth modification even when the
interference between cells may increase, particularly when there
are many small cells, the communication quality can be
increased.
[0451] Although a downlink signal to be transmitted by the cell is
used for estimating the channel information in the first
embodiment, the downlink signal need not be used for estimating the
channel information in the sixth modification. Thus, the overhead
can be reduced, which can increase the throughput.
[0452] Seventh Modification of First Embodiment
[0453] In the first modification of the first embodiment, the UE
determines a cell whose interference is not a problem, and the UE
where interference is not a problem does not transmit the channel
information to reduce the amount of calculation by the cell and the
concentrator. The seventh modification will disclose conditions to
be considered for determining the presence or absence of
interference based on the SINR in the first modification of the
first embodiment.
[0454] The cell determines the presence or absence of interference
using the channel measuring information for measuring the channel
information. A signal for measuring the channel information for
each cell is a signal with a known sequence. The CSI-RS is used as
the signal. A reference signal for each antenna port of a cell,
specifically, mapping information of the CSI-RS is used as
information on the signal for each cell. Examples of the mapping
information include an insertion position and an insertion period
of a frequency and a time, etc., a transmission power, and an
offset power value relative to a reference transmission power
value.
[0455] The cross-correlation with signals of the serving cell may
be used instead of the channel measuring information to estimate
the channel information. The channel information of an interference
component may be measured with the CSI-IM of a serving cell.
[0456] The base station may determine whether interference is a
problem in precoding scheme. For example, the precoding using a
codebook may be performed similarly as in the conventional LTE and
LTE-A. Non-linear precoding may be performed based on the channel
information. When the non-linear precoding is performed, a signal
with higher interference suppression capabilities may have a lower
threshold for determining the SINR.
[0457] The UE may determine whether interference is a problem,
using a positional relationship between UEs. In an environment in
the presence of a plurality of UEs, the cell finds a correlation
between antennas of the UEs (hereinafter may be referred to as "UE
antennas") with the downlink channel information. In the seventh
modification, each of the UEs includes a plurality of UE antennas.
Each cell also includes a plurality of antennas of a base station
(hereinafter may be referred to as "base station antennas").
[0458] FIG. 39 schematically illustrates correlations between the
UE antennas. A correlation R.sub.jk between a UE antenna j and a UE
antenna k is found from the following Equation (1), using a UE
antenna i as a transmission antenna and the UE antenna j and the UE
antenna k as reception antennas.
[ Math 1 ] R j k = E [ i h i j ( t ) h ik * ( t ) ] ( 1 )
##EQU00001##
[0459] Here, h.sub.ij(t) indicates the downlink channel information
from the transmission antenna i to the reception antenna j.
h*.sub.ik(t) indicates a complex conjugate of h.sub.ik(t).
h.sub.ik(t) indicates the downlink channel information from the
transmission antenna i to the reception antenna k. E indicates an
operator for averaging values varying with time t.
[0460] When the correlation R.sub.jk between the UE antennas is
larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold and the UEs to
which the two UE antennas with the correlation R.sub.jk are
connected are different, the UEs are scheduled to perform the MEM
separately. Consequently, the communication quality can be
increased.
[0461] The concentrator may calculate the correlation R.sub.jk
between the UE antenna j and the UE antenna k, The scheduling may
be performed to minimize the interference within its own cell,
using an antenna pattern of the antennas of the base station. The
correlation may be weakened by changing the directivity of the
antennas of the base station.
[0462] The UE may detect whether interference is a problem. FIG. 40
illustrates a method performed by the UE for detecting whether
interference is a problem. As illustrated in FIG. 40, the UE 1
measures an uplink signal of the UE 2. When the signal of the UE 2
received by the UE 1 is larger than or equal to a predetermined
threshold, the UE 1 requests the cells to make a difference between
the scheduling of the UE 2 and the scheduling of the UE 1 in
transmitting the next uplink signal. The UE 1 and the UE 2 may be
reversed.
[0463] Whether interference is a problem may be determined by the
interference suppression capabilities of the UE. The threshold for
determining the SINR will be reduced for the UE with higher
interference suppression capabilities, using, for example, the
number of reception antennas, the signal processing capabilities,
and the category of the UE as parameters. The interference
suppression capabilities of the UE may be notified by the SRS.
[0464] The sequence on the method for performing the SU-MIMO using
a plurality of cells is illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15. In the
seventh modification, blocks in a unit for determining whether
interference is a problem (hereinafter may be referred to as an
"interference determining unit") are operated based on SINR
criteria.
[0465] FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating operations to be
performed in the blocks in the interference determining unit.
[0466] In Step ST2821, the UE obtains the UE category information.
In Step ST2822, the UE finds the number of reception antennas from
the UE category. In Step ST2823, the UE obtains the number of
transmission streams. In Step ST2824, the UE obtains a threshold
for determining the SINR.
[0467] In Step ST2825, the UE determines whether the number of
reception antennas is larger than the number of transmission
streams. When the UE determines that the number of reception
antennas is larger than the number of transmission streams, the
process proceeds to Step ST2826. When the UE determines that the
number of reception antennas is not larger than the number of
transmission streams, the process proceeds to Step ST2827. The
number of reception antennas is determined by the UE category
notified from the UE.
[0468] In Step ST2826, the threshold for determining the SINR is
reduced. Upon end of the process in Step ST2826, the process
proceeds to Step ST2827.
[0469] In Step ST2827, the UE determines whether the reception SINR
is larger than the threshold for determining the SINR. When the UE
determines that the reception SINR is larger than the threshold for
determining the SINR, the process proceeds to Step ST2828. When the
UE determines that the reception SINR is not larger than the
threshold for determining the SINR the process proceeds to Step
ST2829.
[0470] In Step ST2828, the UE determines that interference is not a
problem. Upon end of the process in Step ST2828, the entire
procedure will be ended.
[0471] In Step ST2829, the UE determines that interference is a
problem. Upon end of the process in Step ST2829, the entire
procedure will be ended.
[0472] With increase in precision of determining the presence or
absence of the influence of the interference between cells through
the processes in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 41, only the UE
where interference is actually a problem can be taken even with the
same cell capacity, and the load of the base station can be
reduced.
[0473] Eighth Modification of First Embodiment
[0474] Similarly as the sixth modification of the first embodiment,
the cell obtains the uplink channel information from the SRS to
estimate the downlink channel information using a duality. The UE
transmits the SRS to the cells 1 and 2. When the SRS to be
transmitted by the UE includes a cell 1-specific signal or a cell
2-specific signal, the same f-t resources may be used for the SRS
for the cells 1 and 2.
[0475] FIGS. 42 to 44 illustrate an example sequence for performing
the SU-MIMO in the channel estimating method according to the
eighth modification of the first embodiment of the present
invention. FIGS. 42 and 43 are connected across a location of a
border BL13. FIGS. 43 and 44 are connected across a location of a
border BL14.
[0476] In Step ST2901, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 of the
channel measuring information.
[0477] In Step ST2902, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 of the
channel measuring information.
[0478] In Step ST2903, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-3 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0479] In Step ST2904, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-1 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0480] In Step ST2905, the cell 2 notifies the UE 2-3 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0481] In Step ST2906, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 1 of an uplink
channel measuring signal.
[0482] In Step ST2907, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 1 of an uplink
channel measuring signal.
[0483] In Step ST2908, the UE 2-3 notifies the cell 1 of an uplink
channel measuring signal.
[0484] In Step ST2909, the cell 1 measures the SRS based on the
uplink channel measuring signals notified from the UEs to derive
the uplink channel information. The cell 1 estimates the downlink
channel information based on the derived uplink channel.
[0485] In Step ST2910, the cell 1 notifies the concentrator of the
results of the measured channel information of all the UEs and the
result of the measured channel information of the cell 1, together
with UEIDs that are identifiers of the UEs.
[0486] In Step ST2911, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 2 of the uplink
channel measuring signal.
[0487] In Step ST2912, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 2 of the uplink
channel measuring signal.
[0488] In Step ST2913, the UE 2-3 notifies the cell 2 of the uplink
channel measuring signal.
[0489] In Step ST2914, the cell 2 measures the SRS based on the
uplink channel measuring signals notified from the UEs to derive
the uplink channel information. The cell 2 estimates the downlink
channel information based on the derived uplink channel.
[0490] In Step ST2915, the cell 2 notifies the concentrator of the
results of the measured channel information of all the UEs and the
result of the measured channel information of the cell 2, together
with the UEIDs that are identifiers of the UEs.
[0491] In Step ST2916, the concentrator schedules all the UEs being
served by the cells 1 and 2.
[0492] In Step ST2917, the concentrator derives precoding weights
of the UEs that perform the MU-MIMO.
[0493] In Step ST2918, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of
scheduling information of the UEs being served by the cell 2.
[0494] In Step ST2919, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of
scheduling information of the UEs being served by the cell 1.
[0495] In Step ST2920, the concentrator notifies the cell 2 of the
precoding information on the cell 2 of the UEs that perform the
MU-MIMO.
[0496] In Step ST2921, the concentrator notifies the cell 1 of the
precoding information on the cell 1 of the UEs that perform the
MU-MIMO.
[0497] In Step ST2922, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served
thereby, based on the scheduling information notified from the
concentrator in Step ST2919.
[0498] In Step ST2923, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served
thereby, based on the scheduling information notified from the
concentrator in Step ST2918.
[0499] In Step ST2924, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs that perform the MU-MIMO with the precoding information
received in Step ST2921.
[0500] In Step ST2925, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of the
UEs that perform the MU-MIMO with the precoding information
received in Step ST2920.
[0501] In Step ST2926, the cell 2 performs the MIMO transmission to
the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2923 and the MIMO
settings made in Step ST2925.
[0502] In Step ST2927, the cell 2 performs the MIMO transmission to
the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2923 and the MIMO
settings made in Step ST2925.
[0503] In Step ST2928, the cell 2 performs the MIMO transmission to
the UE 2-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2923 and the MIMO
settings made in Step ST2925.
[0504] In Step ST2929, the cell 1 performs the MIMO transmission to
the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2922 and the MIMO
settings made in Step ST2924.
[0505] In Step ST2930, the cell 1 performs the MIMO transmission to
the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2922 and the MIMO
settings made in Step ST2924.
[0506] In Step ST2931, the cell 1 performs the MIMO transmission to
the UE 2-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2922 and the MIMO
settings made in Step ST2924.
[0507] Consequently, a plurality of cells, that is, the cells 1 and
2 herein perform the SU-MIMO transmission to the UE 1-1, the UE
1-3, and the UE 2-3.
[0508] In the eighth modification, the UEs measure the channel
information of the surrounding cells to enable the coordinated MIMO
between the cells, similarly as the first embodiment and the sixth
modification of the first embodiment. Thus, the UEs can reduce the
interference from the surrounding cells other than the serving
cell, thus enabling increase in the communication quality.
[0509] The eighth modification is effective when the interference
between cells may increase, particularly when there are many small
cells. In other words, since the interference between cells can be
reduced with application of the eighth modification even when the
interference between cells may increase, particularly when there
are many small cells, the communication quality can be
increased.
[0510] Although a downlink signal to be transmitted by the cell is
used for estimating the channel information in the first
embodiment, the downlink signal need not be used for estimating the
channel information in the eighth modification, similarly as the
sixth modification of the first embodiment. Thus, the overhead can
be reduced, which can increase the throughput.
Second Embodiment
[0511] In the conventional MIMO, a cell performs the MIMO with the
UEs being served thereby in consideration of only an antenna port
of its own cell as described in the first embodiment. Thus, under a
communication environment in the presence of a plurality of cells,
a problem with interference from a cell to which the UE is not
connected or a cell that is not communicating occurs.
[0512] The first embodiment discloses the method for performing the
MIMO using a plurality of cells to solve such a problem. However,
the MIMO using a plurality of cells requires a process of precoding
with all the antenna ports of the plurality of cells inclusive,
which complicates the processes. The complexity in the processes
causes an increase in power consumption of the base stations, an
increase in circuit scale, and an increase in control latency. The
second embodiment will disclose a method for solving such
problems.
[0513] The MIMO is performed with the UEs being served by the other
cells inclusive for each cell. In performing the MIMO, the cell
performs the precoding with the UEs being served by the other cells
inclusive. The UEs being served by the other cells may be UEs being
served by the other cells where interference from its own cell is a
problem. Performing the MIMO with the UEs being served by the other
cells where interference is a problem inclusive can reduce the
interference with the UEs. Thus, reduction in the interference from
the surrounding cells can increase the communication quality for
the UEs.
[0514] According to the second embodiment, multi user-MIMO
(MU-MIMO) is performed as the MIMO.
[0515] The precoding is performed so that the serving cell of the
UE where interference from the other cells is a problem forms beams
for the UE and a non-serving cell thereof forms a null for the UE.
In other words, the cell performs the precoding to form beams when
the UE where interference from the other cells is a problem is the
UE being served thereby and to form a null when the UE is not the
UE being served thereby. The non-serving cell may be a cell that
interferes with the UE.
[0516] FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive. FIG.
45 illustrates the adoption of two cells of the cells 1 and 2. A UE
1-n (n is a natural number) is a UE being served by the cell 1, and
a UE 2-m (m is a natural number) is a UE being served by the cell
2. The UE 1-1 is a UE where interference from the cell 2 is a
problem. The UE 2-1 is a UE where interference from the cell 1 is a
problem.
[0517] The cell 1 performs the MIMO with the UEs being served by
the cell 1 and with the UE being served by the cell 2 where
interference from its own cell is a problem, that is, the UE 2-1.
The precoding is performed with the UE 1-1, the UE 1-2, the UE 1-3,
and the UE 2-1 on a plurality of layers using the cell 1 to form
beams. Different streams are transmitted for each of the layers. In
the MU-MIMO, the same f-t resources may be allocated to the UEs.
Since the precoding maintains the orthogonality between the beams
formed on each of the layers, each of the UEs can receive the
transmitted streams. A plurality of layers may be allocated to one
UE.
[0518] The cell 1 performs the precoding to form beams for the UE
1-1, the UE 1-2, and the UE 1-3 that are the UEs being served by
the cell 1, and to form a null for the UE 2-1 that is the UE being
served by another cell. Since the UE 2-1 that is the UE being
served by another cell is a UE where interference from its own cell
is a problem, the interference with the UE can be reduced by
forming a null for the UE.
[0519] The cell 2 performs the MIMO with the UEs being served by
the cell 2 and with the UE being served by the cell 1 where
interference from its own cell is a problem, that is, the UE 1-1.
The precoding is performed with the UE 2-1, the UE 2-2, the UE 2-3,
and the UE 1-1 on a plurality of layers using the cell 2 to form
beams. Different streams are transmitted for each of the layers. In
the MU-MIMO, the same f-t resources may be allocated to the UEs.
Since the precoding maintains the orthogonality between the beams
formed on each of the layers, each of the UEs can receive the
transmitted streams. A plurality of layers may be allocated to one
UE.
[0520] The cell 2 performs the precoding to form beams for the UE
2-1, the UE 2-2, and the UE 2-3 that are the UEs being served by
the cell 2, and to form a null for the UE 1-1 that is the UE being
served by another cell. Since the UE 1-1 that is the UE being
served by another cell is a UE where interference from its own cell
is a problem, the interference with the UE can be reduced by
forming a null for the UE.
[0521] Performing the MIMO with the UEs being served by the other
cells where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive
can reduce the interference with the UEs being served by the other
cells.
[0522] The cell has difficulties in performing the MIMO with all
the UEs being served by the other cells inclusive. This is because
the number of the UEs being served by the other cells is enormous.
Thus, which UEs should be included in the MIMO among the UEs being
served by the other cells is a problem. The second embodiment will
disclose a method for determining the UEs to be included in the
MIMO among the UEs being served by the other cells.
[0523] The cell may perform the MIMO with the UEs where
interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive among the UEs
being served by the other cells.
[0524] The following (1) to (3) will be disclosed as example nodes
that determine the UEs where interference from its own cell is a
problem among the UEs being served by the other cells:
[0525] (1) a serving cell of the UEs where interference is a
problem;
[0526] (2) a cell that interferes with the UEs where interference
is a problem; and
[0527] (3) the UEs where interference is a problem.
[0528] In the example of (1), the serving cell of the UEs where
interference from its own cell is a problem determines the UEs
among the UEs being served by the other cells. The serving cell may
determine the UEs where interference from the other cells is a
problem.
[0529] In the example of (2), the UEs where interference from its
own cell is a problem among the UEs being served by the other cells
are determined by its own cell. A non-serving cell may determine
the UEs where interference from its own cell is a problem.
[0530] A specific example of performing, for each cell, the MU-MIMO
with the UEs being served by the other cells inclusive will be
disclosed.
[0531] A cell notifies the surrounding cells of settings for
measuring the channel information of its own cell. The method
disclosed in the first embodiment may be applied to a method
relevant to this. Consequently, the cell can recognize the CSI
settings of the surrounding cells.
[0532] The cell notifies the UEs being served thereby of the CSI
settings of its own cell. Furthermore, the cell notifies the UEs
being served thereby of the CSI settings of the surrounding cells.
The cell may broadcast the CSI settings as the broadcast
information. Alternatively, the cell may notify each of the UEs
separately of the CSI settings via dedicated signaling.
[0533] Upon receipt of the CSI settings of the serving cell and the
CSI of the surrounding cells from the serving cell, the UEs measure
the channel information with the CSI settings.
[0534] The UEs notify the serving cell of results of the measured
channel information when a node that determines the UEs where
interference from its own cell is a problem among the UEs being
served by the other cells is the serving cell of the UEs where
interference is a problem or a cell that interferes with the UEs
where interference is a problem. When the signal for measuring the
channel information is the CSI-RS, the CSI is notified as the
measurement results. The results of the measured channel
information may include a result of a measured magnitude of
interference. The method disclosed in the first embodiment may be
applied to a method for notifying the results of the measured
channel information from the UEs to the serving cell.
[0535] Consequently, the serving cell can obtain the results of the
measured channel information of its own cell and the surrounding
cells from the UEs being served thereby.
[0536] Upon obtainment of the results of the measured channel
information of its own cell and the surrounding cells from the UEs
being served thereby, the cell determines the UEs where
interference from the other cells is a problem when the node that
determines the UEs where interference from its own cell is a
problem among the UEs being served by the other cells is the
serving cell of the UEs where interference is a problem.
[0537] The cell obtains information on a magnitude of interference
from the other cells, which is transmitted from the UEs being
served by its own cell. The information on a magnitude of
interference from the other cells may include an identifier of a
cell and a result of a measured magnitude of interference from the
cell.
[0538] The information on a magnitude of interference from the
other cells may be results of the measured channel information from
the other cells that are obtained from the UEs being served by its
own cell.
[0539] The cell determines the UEs where interference from the
other cells is a problem, using the results of the measured
magnitude of interference from the other cells that are transmitted
from the UEs being served by its own cell.
[0540] The method disclosed in the second modification of the first
embodiment may be applied to a method for determining the UEs where
interference is a problem.
[0541] The cell identifies an interfering cell with the results of
the measured magnitudes of interference of the UEs from the other
cells.
[0542] The method disclosed in the second modification of the first
embodiment for determining an interfering cell may be applied to a
method for determining an interfering cell.
[0543] The cell schedules the UEs being served thereby. The
scheduling includes allocation of the f-t resources and the MCS. In
the MU-MIMO, a plurality of UEs may be scheduled per f-t
resource.
[0544] A cell notifies a cell that interferes with the UEs where
interference is a problem of the interference with the UEs. The
cell may request the cell that interferes with the UEs where
interference is a problem to perform the MU-MIMO with the UEs. The
cell may request the cell that interferes with the UEs where
interference is a problem to form a null for the UEs.
[0545] The cell notifies the cell that interferes with the UEs
where interference is a problem of the scheduling information of
the UEs. The cell may also notify identifiers of the UEs. The cell
may notify the identifiers of the UEs and the scheduling
information of the UEs in association with one another. The cell
may make the notification with inclusion of such information in one
message. Consequently, the cell that interferes with the UEs where
interference is a problem can obtain the scheduling information of
the UEs. The interfering cell can recognize, for example, to which
f-t resources the UEs are allocated.
[0546] The cell notifies the cell that interferes with the UEs of
the results of the measured channel information of the UEs for the
interfering cell. The cell may also notify the identifiers of the
UEs. The cell may notify the identifiers of the UEs and the
measurement results of the UEs in association with one another. The
cell may make the notification with inclusion of such information
in one message. The cell may also notify an identifier of the cell
that interferes with the UE. Consequently, the cell that interferes
with the UEs where interference is a problem can obtain the results
of the measured channel information of the UEs.
[0547] The cell may notify the scheduling information of the UEs
where interference is a problem and the results of the measured
channel information together. The cell may notify such information
together with the identifiers of the UEs. The cell may notify the
identifiers of the UEs, the scheduling information of the UEs, and
the measurement result of the UEs in association with one another.
The cell may make the notification with inclusion of such
information in one message. The cell may also notify an identifier
of the cell that interferes with the UE. Consequently, the amount
of messages to be notified between the cells can be reduced. The
signaling load between the cells can also be reduced.
[0548] The information may be notified between the cells configured
by different eNBs via the X2 interface. Alternatively, the
information may be notified via the S1 interface. The information
may be notified through a core network node, for example, an MME.
Alternatively, the information may be included in an existing
message of the X2 interface or the S1 interface to be notified. The
method disclosed as the method for notifying the CSI settings
according to the first embodiment may be applied. Thus, the same
advantages as those according to the first embodiment can be
produced.
[0549] The cell that interferes with the UEs being served by the
other cells can perform the MIMO with the UEs inclusive by
obtaining the results of the measured channel information between
its own cell and the UEs.
[0550] The cell schedules the UEs being served thereby. The cell
that interferes with the UEs being served by the other cells
determines the UEs being served thereby to be allocated to the same
f-t resources, with the obtained scheduling information of the
UEs.
[0551] The cell derives precoding weights of the UEs being served
thereby and the UEs being served by the other cells where
interference is a problem to be allocated to the same f-t resources
inclusive.
[0552] The cell derives the precoding weights with the results of
the measured channel information of its own cell to be transmitted
from the UEs being served thereby, and with the results of the
measured channel information of its own cell to be transmitted from
the UEs being served by the other cells.
[0553] The cell performs the MIMO with the UEs being served thereby
and the UEs being served by the other cells where interference is a
problem, using the derived precoding weights.
[0554] The following will disclose a case where a node that
determines the UEs where interference from its own cell is a
problem among the UEs being served by the other cells is a cell
that interferes with the UE where interference is a problem. When
the node is the cell that interferes with the UEs where
interference is a problem, the cell that has obtained the results
of the measured channel information of its own cell and the
surrounding cells from the UEs being served thereby notifies the
surrounding cells of the measurement results. The cell may notify,
in association with one another, the identifiers of the UEs that
have made the measurements, information indicating of which cell
the measurement results are, for example, the identifier of the
cell subjected to the measurement, and the identifier of its own
cell, that is, the identifier of the serving cell of the UEs that
have made the measurements. The cell may make the notification with
inclusion of such information in one message.
[0555] The cell schedules the UEs being served thereby. The
scheduling includes allocation of the f-t resources and the MCS.
The cell notifies the surrounding cells of a result of the
scheduling of the UEs being served thereby. The cell may make the
notification in association with, for example, the measurement
results of the UEs being served thereby. The cell may make the
notification with inclusion of such results in one message.
[0556] The information may be notified between the cells configured
by different eNBs via the X2 interface. Alternatively, the
information may be notified via the S1 interface. The information
may be notified through a core network node, for example, an MME.
Alternatively, the information may be included in an existing
message of the X2 interface or the S1 interface to be notified. The
method disclosed as the method for notifying the CSI settings
according to the first embodiment may be applied. Thus, the same
advantages as those according to the first embodiment can be
produced.
[0557] When obtaining, from the surrounding cells, the results of
the measured channel information of the serving cell and the
surrounding cells of the UEs being served by the surrounding cells,
a cell determines the UEs where interference from its own cell is a
problem.
[0558] The cell obtains information on a magnitude of interference
from its own cell that is transmitted from the UEs being served by
the other cells. The information on a magnitude of interference
from its own cell may include an identifier of a cell and a result
of a measured magnitude of interference from its own cell.
[0559] The information on a magnitude of interference from its own
cell may be results of the measured channel information of the
serving cell and the surrounding cells of the UEs being served by
the surrounding cells, which are obtained from the surrounding
cells.
[0560] The cell determines the UE where interference from its own
cell is a problem, using the results of the measured magnitude of
interference from its own cell that are transmitted from the UEs
being served by the other cells.
[0561] The method disclosed in the second modification of the first
embodiment may be applied to a method for determining the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0562] The cell identifies the serving cell of the UE as well as
determining the UE where interference is a problem. The cell may
use the identifier of the serving cell of the UE that has been
obtained from the surrounding cells and notified together with the
result of the measured channel information of the UE.
[0563] The cell that determines a UE where interference is a
problem determines the UEs being served thereby to be allocated to
the same f-t resources, with the scheduling information of the UE
that is obtained from the serving cell of the UE.
[0564] The cell derives precoding weights of the UEs being served
thereby and the UEs being served by the other cells where
interference is a problem to be allocated to the same f-t resources
inclusive.
[0565] The cell derives the precoding weights with the results of
the measured channel information of its own cell to be transmitted
from the UEs being served thereby and the results of the measured
channel information of its own cell to be transmitted from the UEs
being served by the other cells.
[0566] The cell performs the MIMO with the UEs being served thereby
and the UEs being served by the other cells where interference is a
problem, using the derived precoding weights.
[0567] In the aforementioned methods, the cell notifies the
surrounding cells of a result of the scheduling of the UEs being
served thereby. Here, the processes from the scheduling to deriving
of the precoding weights can be performed in a short period of
time.
[0568] As an alternative method, the cell that determines the UE
where interference is a problem may notify the serving cell of the
UE of a request for the scheduling information of the UE. The cell
may notify the UE where interference is a problem and the
scheduling information of the UE in association with each
other.
[0569] Upon obtainment of the request for the scheduling
information of the UE where interference is a problem, the cell may
notify the scheduling information of the UE to the cell that has
made the request. The cell may also notify the identifier of its
own cell. Upon obtainment of the request for the scheduling
information of the UE, the cell may notify the scheduling
information of the UE to the cell that has transmitted the
request.
[0570] Consequently, the cell that determines the UE where
interference is a problem can obtain the scheduling information of
the UE. The number of UEs whose scheduling information needs to be
notified from each cell to the surrounding cells can be reduced
more substantially than that by the aforementioned methods. The
amount of signaling between the cells can also be reduced.
[0571] The following will disclose a case where the node that
determines the UE where interference from its own cell is a problem
among the UEs being served by the other cells is the UE.
[0572] The UE determines whether interference from a non-serving
cell is a problem. The UE derives a magnitude of interference from
the non-serving cell, and determines, from the magnitude of
interference, whether its own UE has a problem with interference
from the non-serving cell. The magnitude of interference from the
non-serving cell may be a result of the measured channel
information from the non-serving cell. The CSI settings for the
surrounding cells that are obtained from the serving cell may be
used for measuring the channel information.
[0573] The method disclosed in the second modification of the first
embodiment for determining the UE where interference is a problem
may be applied to a method in which the UE determines whether its
own UE has a problem with interference from the non-serving
cell.
[0574] Determining by the UE whether the UE has a problem with
interference from the non-serving cell may be statically determined
in, for example, a standard. Alternatively, the serving cell may
request the UEs being served thereby to determine whether
interference from a non-serving cell is a problem. A message for
the request may be notified. The serving cell may notify the UEs
being served thereby of setting information for the request. The
setting information may be included in a message for the request to
be notified. The setting information may include a kind of a
reference signal for measuring a magnitude of interference and a
threshold for the magnitude of interference, etc. As such, the
request of the serving cell enables the UE to determine whether
interference from a non-serving cell is a problem, according to
states of the cell and the UE flexibly as appropriate.
[0575] The request message and the setting information may be
included in the broadcast information to be broadcast, as a
notification method thereof. Alternatively, the request message and
the setting information may be notified via dedicated
signaling.
[0576] The UEs being served thereby may be UEs that are in an RRC
connected state with the serving cell, or any UEs among the UEs
that are in an RRC connected state. Limiting the number of UEs can
reduce the amount of signaling in making a notification via
dedicated signaling.
[0577] The UE that has determined whether interference from a
non-serving cell is a problem may notify the serving cell of a
result of the determination. The result of the determination may be
notified to the serving cell in association with the identifier of
the non-serving cell. Consequently, the serving cell can recognize
from which cell the interference is a problem.
[0578] The UE may measure the channel information from the
non-serving cell, and notify the serving cell of a result of the
measurement. The UE may notify the serving cell of the identifier
of the non-serving cell, the result of the determination on whether
interference from the non-serving cell is a problem, and the result
of the measured channel information of the non-serving cell in
association with one another. Consequently, the serving cell can
obtain the result of the measured channel information between the
UE where interference is a problem and the cell that interferes
with the UE.
[0579] As an alternative method, the UE that has determined whether
interference from a non-serving cell is a problem may notify the
serving cell of only the result of the measured channel information
of the non-serving cell whose interference is a problem. The UE may
notify the identifier of the non-serving cell whose interference is
a problem and the result of the measured channel information of the
non-serving cell in association with each other. Limiting, to the
non-serving cell whose interference is a problem, the information
to be notified from the UE to the serving cell can substantially
reduce the amount of information to be notified between the UE and
the serving cell. The signaling load on radio interface can also be
substantially reduced. Since the UE where interference from a
non-serving cell is not a problem need not notify the serving cell
of the result of the measured channel information of the
non-serving cell, the power consumption of the UE can be
reduced.
[0580] The method disclosed in the first embodiment for notifying
the result of the measured channel information from the UE to the
serving cell may be applied to a method for notifying the
information from the UE to the serving cell.
[0581] Upon obtainment of the identifier of the UE where
interference is a problem, the identifier of the cell that
interferes with the UE, and the result of the measured channel
information from the UE, the serving cell notifies the cell that
interferes with the UE of the identifier of the UE and the channel
information of the cell that interferes with the UE. The serving
cell may also notify the cell identifier of its own cell.
[0582] The methods applied when a node that determines the UE where
interference from its own cell is a problem among the UEs being
served by the other cells is a serving cell of the UE where
interference is a problem may be applied to: a method in which a
cell schedules the UEs being served thereby; a method in which the
cell notifies a cell that interferes with the UE where interference
is a problem of the scheduling information of the UE; a method in
which the cell notifies the cell that interferes with the UE where
interference is a problem of the result of the measured channel
information of the UE for the interfering cell; and a method in
which a cell that interferes with the UEs being served by the other
cells performs the MIMO with the UEs inclusive.
[0583] Consequently, the cell that interferes with the UEs being
served by the other cells may perform the MIMO with the UEs
inclusive even when a node that determines the UE where
interference from its own cell is a problem among the UEs being
served by the other cells is a UE.
[0584] The disclosure is a method in which the serving cell
requests the UEs being served thereby to determine whether
interference from a non-serving cell is a problem.
[0585] As an alternative method, the surrounding cells may issue
the requests to the serving cell as a replacement for the request
from the serving cell to the UEs being served thereby. In other
words, the cell may request the surrounding cells to request the
UEs being served thereby to determine whether interference from a
non-serving cell is a problem. Upon receipt of the request, the
cells request the UEs being served thereby to determine whether
interference from a non-serving cell is a problem. The cell allows
the surrounding cells to determine the presence or absence of the
UE where interference from its own cell is a problem and identify
the UE. Consequently, the cell can take measures for reducing the
interference with the UE with which its own cell interferes.
[0586] The method disclosed in the first embodiment may be applied
to the MIMO settings for performing the MIMO by a cell with the UEs
being served thereby and the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive. The
cell performs the precoding to form a null for the UEs being served
by the other cells where interference from its own cell is a
problem.
[0587] Consequently, the cell that interferes with the UEs being
served by the other cells can perform the MIMO with the UEs
inclusive. Performing the MIMO to form a null for the UEs enables
the cell to reduce the interference with the UEs being served by
the other cells.
[0588] The serving cell of the UE where interference is a problem
may perform the MIMO to form beams for the UEs.
[0589] The precoding is performed so that the serving cell of the
UE where interference from the other cells is a problem forms beams
for the UE and a non-serving cell thereof forms a null for the UE.
In other words, the cell performs the precoding to form beams when
the UE where interference from the other cells is a problem is the
UE being served thereby, and to form a null when the UE is not the
UE being served thereby. The non-serving cell may be a cell that
interferes with the UEs.
[0590] Performing the MIMO so that the serving cell forms beams for
the UE and an interfering cell forms a null for the UE can reduce
the interference from the non-serving cell, and increase the
communication quality from the serving cell. Thus, higher-speed
transmission is possible.
[0591] FIGS. 46 and 47 illustrate a sequence on a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive. FIGS.
46 and 47 are connected across a location of a border BL15.
[0592] FIGS. 46 and 47 illustrate an example in which the cell 1
performs the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the cell 1 that
is its own cell and with the UE 2-1 that is the UE being served by
the cell 2 where interference from the cell 1 is a problem. FIGS.
46 and 47 also illustrate that the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO with
the UE being served by the cell 2 that is its own cell and with the
UE 1-1 that is the UE being served by the cell 1 where interference
from the cell 2 is a problem.
[0593] FIGS. 46 and 47 also illustrate processes to be performed by
the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served by the cell 1 and
the UE 2-3 being served by the cell 2. FIGS. 46 and 47 also
illustrate that the node that determines the UE where interference
from its own cell is a problem among the UEs being served by the
other cells is the serving cell of the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0594] Since the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 46 and 47 includes
the same Steps as those in the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 11 and
12, the same step numbers will be assigned to the same Steps and
the common description thereof will be omitted.
[0595] In Step ST905a, the cell 2 notifies the UE 2-1 being served
thereby of the CSI settings of its own cell and the CSI settings of
the cell 1.
[0596] Upon receipt of the CSI settings of the serving cell and the
surrounding cell, the UE 2-1 measures the channel information with
the CSI settings in Step ST906a.
[0597] In Step ST911a, the UE 2-1 notifies the cell 2 that is the
serving cell of the results of the measured channel information of
the cells 1 and 2.
[0598] In Step ST2001, the cell 1 determines the UE where
interference is a problem, with the results of the measured channel
information of the cells 1 and 2 that are obtained from the UE 1-1
and the UE 1-3 that are being served thereby. The cell 1 determines
whether a magnitude of interference from the cell 2 is a problem,
with the results of the measured channel information of the cell 2
that are obtained from the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3.
[0599] A predetermined magnitude of interference is introduced to
make the determination. The predetermined magnitude of interference
may be a threshold for the magnitude of interference to make the
determination. When a magnitude of interference exceeds the
threshold, it is determined that interference is a problem. When a
magnitude of interference is lower than or equal to the threshold,
it is determined that interference is not a problem. The
predetermined magnitude of interference may be statically
predetermined in, for example, a standard. Alternatively, a core
network node may notify the cell of the predetermined magnitude of
interference. Alternatively, the OAM may make the notification to
the cell. Alternatively, the concentrator may make the notification
to the cell.
[0600] Here, a case where the UE 1-1 receives, from the cell 2, the
interference higher than the predetermined magnitude of
interference will be described.
[0601] In Step ST2001, the cell 1 determines that interference is a
problem when the magnitude of interference from the cell 2 that has
been obtained from each of the UEs exceeds the threshold. When the
magnitude of interference is lower than or equal to the threshold,
the cell 1 determines that interference is not a problem. Upon
determination that the magnitude of interference of the UE 1-1
exceeds the threshold in Step ST2001, the cell 1 identifies the UE
1-1 as the UE where interference is a problem in Step ST2003. The
cell 1 stores the identified UE, that is, the UE identifier of the
UE 1-1 herein, the interfering cell, that is, the identifier of the
cell 2 herein, and the result of the measured channel information
of the cell 2 in association with one another.
[0602] Similarly in Step ST2002, the cell 2 determines the UE where
interference is a problem, with the results of the measured channel
information of the cells 1 and 2 that are obtained from the UE 2-1
that is being served thereby. The cell 2 determines whether a
magnitude of interference from the cell 1 is a problem, with the
result of the measured channel information of the cell 1 that is
obtained from the UE 2-1.
[0603] Here, a case where the UE 2-1 receives, from the cell 1, the
interference higher than the predetermined magnitude of
interference will be described.
[0604] In Step ST2002, the cell 2 determines that interference is a
problem when a magnitude of interference from the cell 1 that has
been obtained from the UE exceeds the threshold. When the magnitude
of interference is lower than or equal to the threshold, the cell 2
determines that interference is not a problem. Upon determination
that the magnitude of interference of the UE 2-1 exceeds the
threshold in Step ST2002, the cell 2 identifies the UE 2-1 as the
UE where interference is a problem in Step ST2004. The cell 2
stores the identified UE, that is, the UE identifier of the UE 2-1
herein, the interfering cell, that is, the identifier of the cell 1
herein, and the result of the measured channel information of the
cell 1 in association with one another.
[0605] In Step ST2005, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the result of the measured channel information of
the cell 2 that has been obtained from the UE (CSI (cell 2)).
[0606] Similarly in Step ST2006, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2
that interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of
the UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem
(UEID (UE 1-1)), and the result of the measured channel information
of the cell 1 that has been obtained from the UE (CST (cell
1)).
[0607] In Step ST2007, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served
thereby. In Step ST2008, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served
thereby.
[0608] In Step ST2009, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 1-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0609] Similarly in Step ST2010, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1
that interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of
the UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem
(UEID (UE 2-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0610] In Step ST2011, the cell 1 determines the UEs that are
scheduled on the same f-t resources as those on which the UE 2-1 is
scheduled, from the scheduling information of the UE 2-1 that has
been obtained from the cell 2, and derives precoding weights of
these UEs.
[0611] The cell 1 performs the precoding to form beams for the UE
1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served thereby, and performs the
precoding to form a null for the UE 2-1 that is the UE being served
by another cell.
[0612] Similarly in Step ST2012, the cell 2 determines the UEs that
are scheduled on the same f-t resources as those on which the UE
1-1 is scheduled, from the scheduling information of the UE 1-1
that has been obtained from the cell 1, and derives precoding
weights of these UEs.
[0613] The cell 2 performs the precoding to form beams for the UE
2-1 that is the UE being served thereby, and performs the precoding
to form a null for the UE 1-1 that is the UE being served by
another cell.
[0614] In Step ST2013, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the UE
1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served thereby, and the UE 2-1
that is the UE being served by another cell where interference is a
problem.
[0615] Similarly in Step ST2014, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings
of the UE 2-1 that is the UE being served thereby, and the UE 1-1
that is the UE being served by another cell where interference is a
problem.
[0616] In Step ST2015, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2008 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2014.
[0617] In Step ST2016, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2008 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2014.
[0618] In Step ST2017, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2007 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2013.
[0619] In Step ST2018, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the scheduling in Step ST2007 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2013.
[0620] In Step ST2019, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2007 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2013.
[0621] Consequently, the cell 1 can perform the MU-MIMO
transmission to the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served
thereby and to the UE 2-1 being served by another cell where
interference from its own cell is a problem.
[0622] Furthermore, the cell 2 can perform the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 being served thereby and to the UE 1-1 being served
by another cell where interference from its own cell is a
problem.
[0623] The method disclosed in the second embodiment enables the
cell to perform the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference from
the other cells is a problem inclusive. Performing the MU-MIMO with
the UEs in consideration of the channel information from the cells
other than the serving cell enables reduction in the interference
from the other cells. Reduction in the interference from the other
cells can increase the communication quality. Moreover, the
communication capacity for a system can be increased.
[0624] Particularly, the outstanding advantages can be produced in
a situation where there are many small cells and the interference
between the cells increases.
[0625] Moreover, the MIMO can be performed for each cell without
any need for using a plurality of cells, when compared to the
method disclosed in the first embodiment. Thus, only a process of
precoding with an antenna port for each cell may be performed
without any need for performing the process of precoding with all
the antenna ports of a plurality of cells inclusive. This can
facilitate the precoding process, and reduce an increase in power
consumption of base stations, an increase in circuit scale, and an
increase in control latency.
[0626] Since each of the cells can perform the MIMO, the scheduling
of the UEs being served thereby is possible. The flexible
scheduling depending on a state of each cell, for example, a radio
propagation environment and a load, etc. is possible.
[0627] First Modification of Second Embodiment
[0628] The second embodiment discloses the method for performing
the MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem inclusive for
each cell to address the problem with interference from the cell to
which the UE is not connected or the cell that is not
communicating. This method solves the problem by directing beams
toward the UEs being served by a serving cell and directing a null
to the UEs being served by a non-serving cell. The first
modification will disclose a method for solving the problem
described in the second embodiment, in a method for forming a null
from the serving cell and forming beams from the non-serving
cell.
[0629] A null is formed from the serving cell, and beams are formed
from the non-serving cell. Each of the cells performs the precoding
with the UEs being served by the other cells where interference is
a problem inclusive. Furthermore, each of the cells derives
precoding weights to form a null when the UEs where interference is
a problem are the UEs being served thereby and to form beams when
the UEs are not the UEs being served thereby.
[0630] Each of the cells performs the DL transmission. The example
herein indicates the presence of two cells of the cells 1 and 2.
Here, the cell 1 is a serving cell, and the cell 2 is a non-serving
cell.
[0631] The cell 2 transmits the PDSCH using a UE-specific reference
signal with the resources scheduled by the cell 1. Similarly, the
cell 1 transmits the PDSCH using a UE-specific reference signal
with the resources scheduled by the cell 2.
[0632] The UE receives the PDSCH using the UE-specific reference
signal with the resources scheduled by the serving cell. A
precoding weight may be derived from the CSI or using a codebook
similarly as in the LTE/LTE-A. When a codebook is used, the cell 1
needs to notify the UE of PCIs of both the cells 1 and 2. The UE
receives the PDSCHs using the PCIs.
[0633] FIG. 48 illustrates an outline of a method for performing
the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a problem inclusive
for each cell and forming beams from a non-serving cell. FIG. 48
illustrates a method for forming a null from a serving cell and
forming beams from a non-serving cell, for the UE where
interference is a problem. Here, a UE 1-n (n is a natural number)
is a UE being served by the cell 1, and a UE 2-m (m is a natural
number) is a UE being served by the cell 2. In FIG. 48, the UE 1-1
and the UE 2-1 are UEs where interference is a problem. As
illustrated in FIG. 48, the non-serving cell directs beams and the
serving cell directs a null to the UE 1-1 and the UE 2-1 where
interference will be a problem.
[0634] In addition to the advantages of the second embodiment,
forming beams from the non-serving cell to perform communication
enables higher-speed transmission when the communication quality of
the UE where interference is a problem with the non-serving cell is
superior to that of the UE with the serving cell.
[0635] FIGS. 46 and 47 illustrate the sequence when the serving
cell directs beams and the non-serving cell directs a null to the
UEs. The processes in the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 46 and 47
are identical to processes according to the first modification.
[0636] The first modification of the second embodiment differs from
the second embodiment in that the beams are directed toward the UEs
in the serving cell or toward the UEs in the non-serving cell in
the processes of Steps ST2007 to ST2014 of FIG. 38.
[0637] The second embodiment discloses the method for directing a
null from the serving cell to the UE where interference from the
serving cell is a problem. The first modification of the second
embodiment discloses a method for directing a null from the
non-serving cell to the UEs where interference from the non-serving
cell is a problem. In FIG. 48, the UE 1-3 holds true for the first
modification of the second embodiment, and the other UEs hold true
for the second embodiment. The UEs measure the CSI from the serving
cell and the non-serving cell. Application of the measurement
results enables formulation of appropriate combinations of from
which one of the serving cell and the non-serving cell data is
received.
[0638] In FIG. 48, the beams are directed toward the UEs in the
serving cell, and a null is directed to the UEs where interference
from the non-serving cell is a problem. Here, the UE 1-1 and the UE
2-1 are UEs where interference is a problem. When the channel
environment varies and it is determined that the characteristics of
the UE 1-1 and the UE 2-1 upon receipt of the beams not from its
own cell but from another cell are superior, the control for
switching to the structure of the first modification of the second
embodiment in FIG. 48 is possible. Conversely, the control for
switching from FIG. 48 to FIG. 45 is also possible according to the
channel environment.
[0639] Second Modification of Second Embodiment
[0640] The first modification of the second embodiment discloses
the method for transmitting data from a non-serving cell to the UEs
where interference is a problem. The second modification will
disclose another method for transmitting data from the non-serving
cell to the UEs where interference is a problem.
[0641] The UEs where interference is a problem are made to conduct
a handover (HO) so that the non-serving cell transmits data. The
serving cell makes the UEs where interference is a problem execute
the HO to the non-serving cell. The HO allows the cell 2 to be the
serving cell, and the UE 1-1 to receive a signal from the cell 2.
Thus, the serving cell can initiate communication by forming
beams.
[0642] Each of the cells performs the precoding with the UEs being
served by the other cells where interference is a problem
inclusive. Each of the cells derives precoding weights to form
beams when the UEs where interference is a problem are the UEs
being served thereby and to form a null when the UEs are not the
UEs being served thereby, which allows for data transmission.
[0643] The non-serving cell transmits data through the MIMO in the
procedure described as the following (1) to (3).
[0644] (1) Before the HO, the UE 1-n is the UE being served by the
cell 1, and the UE 2-n is the UE being served by the cell 2.
[0645] (2) The UE 1-1 and the UE 2-1 are the UEs where interference
is a problem. The UE 1-1 is made to conduct the HO from the cell 1
to the cell 2.
[0646] (3) The UE 2-1 is made to conduct the HO from the cell 2 to
the cell 1.
[0647] The procedure of (1) to (3) above enables the non-serving
cell to form beams and the serving cell to form a null, for the UEs
where interference is a problem.
[0648] FIGS. 49 to 51 illustrate an example sequence on a method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference is a
problem inclusive for each cell and forming beams from a
non-serving cell through the HO. FIGS. 49 and 50 are connected
across a location of a border BL16. FIGS. 50 and 51 are connected
across a location of a border BL17. Since the sequence illustrated
in FIGS. 49 to 51 includes the same Steps as those in the sequences
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, in FIGS. 19 to 21, and in FIGS. 46
and 47, the same step numbers will be assigned to the same Steps
and the common description thereof will be omitted. In the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 49 to 51, the UE 1-1 makes measurements and
notifies the cell 1 of a measurement report in Step ST2301 before
the HO. In Step ST2302, the UE 1-3 makes measurements and notifies
the cell 1 of a measurement report. In Step ST2303, the UE 2-1
makes measurements and notifies the cell 2 of a measurement
report.
[0649] The process in Step ST2304 is performed after the cell 1
identifies the UE 1-1 as the UE where interference is a problem and
the cell 2 identifies the UE 2-1 as the UE where interference is a
problem.
[0650] In Step ST2304, the UE 1-1 is made to conduct the HO from
the cell 1 to the cell 2. Next in Step ST2305, the UE 2-1 is made
to conduct the HO from the cell 2 to the cell 1.
[0651] Since the UE belonging to the serving cell moves to the
non-serving cell through the HO, the non-serving cell before the HO
can direct beams.
[0652] In Step ST2201 of FIG. 50, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-3
being served thereby of the CSI settings of its own cell and the
CSI settings of the cell 2.
[0653] In Step ST2202, the cell 2 notifies the UE 1-1 being served
thereby of the CSI settings of its own cell and the CSI settings of
the cell 1.
[0654] In Step ST2203, the cell 1 notifies the UE 2-1 of the CSI
settings of its own cell and the CSI settings of the cell 2.
[0655] In Step ST2204, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 2 of the
results of the measured channel information of the cells 1 and
2.
[0656] In Step ST2205, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 1 of the
results of the measured channel information of the cells 1 and
2.
[0657] In Step ST2206, the UE 2-1 notifies the cell 1 of the
results of the measured channel information of the cells 1 and
2.
[0658] In Step ST2005a, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 1-1)), and the result of the measured channel information of
the cell 2 that has been obtained from the UE (CSI (cell 2)).
[0659] In Step ST2006a, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the result of the measured channel information of
the cell 1 that has been obtained from the UE (CSI (cell 1)).
[0660] Next, processes in Steps ST2007 and ST2008 of FIG. 51 will
be performed.
[0661] Next in Step ST2009a, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0662] In Step ST2010a, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 1-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0663] Next, processes in Steps ST2011 to ST2014 and Steps ST925
and ST926 will be performed.
[0664] In Step ST927a, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2008 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2012.
[0665] Next, processes in Steps ST928 and ST929 will be performed.
Then in Step ST930a, the cell 1 performs the SU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the scheduling in Step ST2007 and the
MIMO settings made in Step ST2013. Consequently, the processes in
Steps ST925, ST926, ST927a, ST928, ST929, and ST930a enable the
beams to be directed in the MIMO.
[0666] FIGS. 52 to 54 illustrate another example sequence on a
method for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs where interference
is a problem inclusive for each cell and forming beams from a
non-serving cell through the HO. FIGS. 52 and 53 are connected
across a location of a border BL18. FIGS. 53 and 54 are connected
across a location of a border BL19. Since the sequence illustrated
in FIGS. 52 to 54 includes the same Steps as those in the sequence
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the same step numbers will be
assigned to the same Steps and the common description thereof will
be omitted.
[0667] In Step ST2301 and Step ST2302, the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3,
respectively, make measurements and notify the cell 1 of
measurement reports. In Step ST2303, the UE 2-1 makes measurements
and notifies the cell 2 of a measurement report.
[0668] Through the measurements, surrounding cells are measured to
generate a list of neighboring cells that can conduct the HO. The
sequence illustrated in FIGS. 52 to 54 will be described on the
assumption that the cell list would include the cell 2.
[0669] After the UEs issue the measurement reports, the CSI
settings are made in Steps ST901 to ST905 as according to the first
embodiment.
[0670] Next in Steps ST1201, ST1202, ST1203, and ST1204a, each of
the cells identifies the UE where interference is a problem. Here,
when the UE where interference is a problem can be made to conduct
the HO to a non-serving cell, that is, when the non-serving cell is
included in the list of neighboring cells, the UE is made to
conduct the HO from the serving cell to the non-serving cell in
Steps ST2304 and ST2305.
[0671] Next, processes in Steps ST2005a and ST2006a of FIG. 53 will
be performed.
[0672] Then, processes in Steps ST2007, ST2008, ST2009a, ST2010a,
ST2011 to ST2014, and Steps ST925, ST926, ST927a, ST928, ST929, and
ST930a in FIG. 54 will be performed.
[0673] Consequently, the processes in Steps ST925, ST926, ST927a,
ST928, ST929, and ST930a enable the beams to be directed in the
MIMO.
[0674] Since the timing at which the communication terminals
measure the CSI is close to the timing of the reports to the cell
in the example sequence in FIGS. 49 to 51, the channel information
with higher precision can be obtained as the channel information
for performing the MIMO than that in the example sequence in FIGS.
52 to 54.
[0675] Since the timing at which the communication terminals make
measurements is close to the timing at which the communication
terminals measure the CSI in the example sequence in FIGS. 52 to
54, the terminal where interference is a problem can be determined
with higher precision than that in the example sequence in FIGS. 49
to 51.
[0676] When the moving speed of the communication terminal is
faster, the sequence can be switched to use the example sequence in
FIGS. 49 to 51 to obtain the channel information with higher
precision.
[0677] Although the CST settings are notified to the UEs in the
second modification, the CSI settings may be limited to those of
the interfering cell. In other words, the cell to be measured by
the UE can be limited to the interfering cell.
[0678] Here, whether the HO should be conducted may be determined
at a measurement level included in the measurement report to be
reported from the UE. Alternatively, the determination may be made
by the RSRP or the RSRQ. Alternatively, the determination may be
made by the SINR.
[0679] Since the data connection is disconnected once by the HO,
the threshold may be set in consideration of a possible overhead.
When it is determined not to conduct the HO, a method for forming
beams from the serving cell and forming a null from the non-serving
cell may be selected.
[0680] When the HO is selected and the UEs where interference is a
problem are the UEs being served by each cell, the cell forms beams
and transmits data in the MIMO. With the HO, the non-serving cell
can direct beams toward the UEs where interference is a problem and
transmit data. The serving cell can direct a null to the UEs.
[0681] Thus, the same operations as those according to the first
modification of the second embodiment can be performed.
[0682] Third Modification of Second Embodiment
[0683] The first modification of the second embodiment discloses
the method for forming beams from a non-serving cell for the UE
where interference is a problem. The first modification of the
second embodiment discloses the method for transmitting data from
the non-serving cell to the UE where interference is a problem. As
an alternative method, the second modification of the second
embodiment discloses the method for transmitting data after the UE
where interference is a problem is made to conduct the HO to the
non-serving cell to transmit the data from the non-serving cell to
the UE where interference is a problem.
[0684] The third modification will disclose another method for
transmitting data from the non-serving cell to the UE where
interference is a problem.
[0685] The UE where interference is a problem is connected to two
cells. The UE where interference is a problem may be connected to
two or more cells, not limited to two cells. This is effective when
the UE receives interference from two or more cells. Connecting the
UE where interference is a problem to two cells enables two
interfering non-serving cells or more to transmit data to the UE
where interference is a problem.
[0686] When the UE where interference is a problem is connected to
at least two cells, the dual connectivity (abbreviated as DC, see
Non-Patent Document 1) may be applied.
[0687] The cell sets the DC to the UEs being served thereby where
interference is a problem, using a cell that interferes with the
UEs. The SeNB set by the DC and configuring the interfering cell
performs the MIMO with the UEs inclusive. The SeNB performs the
precoding with the UEs inclusive when performing the MIMO.
[0688] The MeNB that sets the DC to the UEs being served thereby
where interference is a problem performs the MIMO with the UEs
inclusive. The MeNB performs the precoding with the UEs inclusive
when performing the MIMO.
[0689] The serving cell configured by the MeNB performs the
precoding to form a null for the UEs where interference is a
problem. The interfering cell configured by the SeNB performs the
precoding to form beams for the UEs where interference is a
problem.
[0690] The serving cell configured by the MeNB does not transmit
data to the UEs where interference is a problem. The interfering
cell configured by the SeNB transmits data to the UEs where
interference is a problem.
[0691] Consequently, the non-serving cell can transmit data to the
UEs where interference is a problem.
[0692] FIG. 55 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for
performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other cells
where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive. FIG.
55 illustrates the adoption of two cells of the cells 1 and 2. A UE
1-n (n is a natural number) is a UE being served by the cell 1, and
a UE 2-m (m is a natural number) is a UE being served by the cell
2. The UE 1-1 is a UE where interference from the cell 2 is a
problem. The UE 2-1 is a UE where interference from the cell 1 is a
problem. Since FIG. 55 is similar to FIG. 48, the differences will
be mainly described.
[0693] The cell 1 sets the DC to the UE 1-1 that is the UE being
served by the cell 1 where interference from the non-serving cell
is a problem, using the cell 2. The cell 1 that is the serving cell
sets the DC to the UE 1-1, using the cell 2 that is the interfering
cell. The UE 1-1 to which the DC is set is connected to both the
cells 1 and 2.
[0694] The cell 2 sets the DC to the UE 2-1 that is a UE being
served by the cell 2 where interference from the non-serving cell
is a problem, using the cell 1. The cell 2 that is the serving cell
sets the DC to the UE 2-1, using the cell 1 that is the interfering
cell. The UE 2-1 to which the DC is set is connected to both the
cells 2 and 1.
[0695] The cell 1 performs the MIMO with the UE being served by the
cell 2 where interference from its own cell is a problem, that is,
with the UE 2-1. The precoding is performed with the UE 1-1, the UE
1-2, the UE 1-3, and the UE 2-1 on a plurality of layers using the
cell 1 to form beams. Different streams are transmitted for each of
the layers. In the MU-MIMO, the same f-t resources may be allocated
to the UEs. Since the precoding maintains the orthogonality between
the beams formed on each of the layers, each of the UEs can receive
the transmitted streams. A plurality of layers may be allocated to
one UE.
[0696] The cell 1 performs the precoding to form beams for the UE
1-2 and the UE 1-3 that are the UEs being served by the cell 1 and
the UE 2-1 that is the UE being served by another cell. The cell 1
performs the precoding to form a null for the UE 1-1 that is the UE
being served by the cell 1 where interference from another cell is
a problem.
[0697] The UE 2-1 to which the cell 2 sets the DC using the cell 1
is connected to both the cells 1 and 2. Thus, the cell 1 can
transmit data to the UE 2-1 for which beams have been formed.
[0698] Since the UE 1-1 that is the UE being served by the cell 1
is the UE where interference from its own cell is a problem, the
interference with the UE can be reduced by forming a null for the
UE.
[0699] The cell 2 performs the precoding to form beams for the UE
2-2 and the UE 2-3 that are the UEs being served by the cell 2 and
the UE 1-1 that is the UE being served by another cell. The cell 2
performs the precoding to form a null for the UE 2-1 that is the UE
being served by the cell 2 where interference from another cell is
a problem.
[0700] The UE 1-1 to which the cell 1 sets the DC using the cell 2
is connected to both the cells 1 and 2. Thus, the cell 2 can
transmit data to the UE 1-1 for which beams have been formed.
[0701] Since the UE 2-1 that is the UE being served by the cell 2
is the UE where interference from its own cell is a problem, the
interference with the UE can be reduced by forming a null for the
UE.
[0702] Performing the DC on the UEs being served by a cell where
interference from another cell is a problem using the other
interfering cell enables the interfering cell to transmit data to
the UE for which beams have been formed.
[0703] FIGS. 56 to 58 illustrate an example sequence on a method
for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the other
cells where interference from its own cell is a problem inclusive.
FIGS. 56 and 57 are connected across a location of a border BL20.
FIGS. 57 and 58 are connected across a location of a border BL21.
FIGS. 56 to 58 illustrate application of the DC.
[0704] Since the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 56 to 58 includes
the same Steps as those in the sequences illustrated in FIGS. 11
and 12, in FIGS. 46 and 47, in FIGS. 49 to 51, and in FIGS. 52 to
54, the same step numbers will be assigned to the same Steps and
the common description thereof will be omitted.
[0705] In Step ST2501, the cell 1 sets the DC to the UE 1-1 where
interference is a problem, using the interfering cell 2. With the
DC, the eNB configuring the cell 1 is set to the MeNB, and the eNB
configuring the cell 2 is set to the SeNB.
[0706] In Step ST2502, the cell 2 sets the DC to the UE 2-1 where
interference is a problem, using the interfering cell 1. With the
DC, the eNB configuring the cell 2 is set to the MeNB, and the eNB
configuring the cell 1 is set to the SeNB.
[0707] The DC is performed in the third modification, unlike the
process of making the UE where interference is a problem conduct
the HO to the interfering cell in Steps ST2304 and ST2305 of FIGS.
52 to 54. Consequently, the cell that interferes with the UEs being
served by the other cells can transmit data to the UEs for which
beams have been formed.
[0708] With application of the method disclosed in the third
modification, the non-serving cell can transmit data to the UE
where interference is a problem.
[0709] Although the third modification discloses application of the
DC to connect the UE where interference is a problem to at least
two cells, another method may be used. For example, a method such
as the RRC diversity (see Non-Patent Document 9), etc. may be used.
The multi-connectivity that is being studied in 3GGP (see
Non-Patent Document 10) may be used.
[0710] As such, connecting one or more non-serving cells that
interfere with the UE where interference is a problem to the UE
enables the one or more interfering cells to transmit data.
[0711] The one or more cells connected to the UE where interference
is a problem may be serving cells of the UE.
[0712] The DC eliminates the need for performing the HO process on
the UE where interference is a problem.
[0713] In the HO process, transmission of data between the UE and a
HO-source cell is stopped, synchronization between the UE and a
HO-target cell is established, and data is transmitted from the
HO-target cell to the UE Thus, data is transmitted between the UE
and only one cell. On the other hand, the dual connectivity is a
method for transmitting data in synchronization with at least two
cells.
[0714] Thus, application of the DC can eliminate influence of, for
example, the latency in transmission of data and loss of the data
that are caused by failure in transmitting the data, such as a HO
failure during the HO process, and the latency caused by
reconnection due to the HO failure.
[0715] Precoding may be performed to form beams from the serving
cell for the UE where interference is a problem and form a null
from the non-serving cell for the UE where interference is a
problem. In other words, each cell may perform precoding to form
beams for the UEs being served thereby where interference is a
problem, and to form a null for the UEs not being served
thereby.
[0716] The second embodiment discloses the method for transmitting
data from the serving cell to the UE where interference is a
problem, without transmitting data from the non-serving cell.
[0717] Application of the method for connecting at least two cells
to the UE where interference is a problem, for example, the DC
enables such transmission of data.
[0718] The method for forming beams from the serving cell for the
UE where interference is a problem as disclosed in the second
embodiment and the method for forming beams from the non-serving
cell for the UE where interference is a problem as disclosed in the
first modification of the second embodiment may be switched to be
executed.
[0719] The methods may be switchable per time unit of performing
the MIMO. Alternatively, the methods may be switchable per TTI, per
subframe, or per slot. Alternatively, the methods may be switchable
per symbol.
[0720] Making the methods to be switchable per TTI, per subframe,
or per slot enables the methods to be switched per time unit of the
f-t resources to which data is mapped.
[0721] Thus, the cell from which data is transmitted in the MIMO
can be changed per data. Consequently, the scheduling by the cell
is facilitated.
[0722] Making the methods to be switchable per symbol enables, for
example, switching between forming beams for a control channel or a
control signal and forming beams for a data channel. The control
channel or the control signal can be transmitted in the MIMO by
forming beams from a serving cell, and data can be transmitted in
the MIMO by forming beams from a non-serving cell. The cell that
transmits the control channel or the control signal and the cell
that transmits data are switchable.
[0723] As an alternative example, the methods may be switched
between forming beams for a shared channel or a shared signal and
forming beams for a dedicated channel or a dedicated signal. The
shared channel or the shared signal can be transmitted in the MIMO
by forming beams from a serving cell, and the dedicated channel or
the dedicated signal can be transmitted in the MIMO by forming
beams from a non-serving cell. The cell that transmits the control
channel or the control signal and the cell that transmits data are
switchable.
[0724] Making the methods to be switchable per symbol enables
changing of a cell that forms beams appropriately according to a
channel or a signal to perform the MIMO transmission. This enables
flexible system operations.
[0725] The concentrator or the OAM may make the switching settings.
When the concentrator makes the switching settings, the
concentrator notifies the cells being served thereby of the
switching setting information of each of the cells. When the OAM
makes the switching settings, the OAM notifies the cells being
served thereby of the switching setting information of each of the
cells.
[0726] The switching setting information may include information
indicating how the cell forms beams for the UE where interference
is a problem. For example, the information may indicate whether the
precoding is performed to form beams for the UEs being served
thereby where interference is a problem or form a null for the UEs
being served thereby where interference is a problem.
[0727] As an alternative method, the serving cell may make the
switching settings. The eNB configuring the serving cell may make
the switching settings. In the DC, the eNB is the MeNB. This is
because the eNB configuring the serving cell before performing the
DC is the MeNB. The serving cell may notify the cell that
interferes with the UEs being served thereby where interference is
a problem of the switching setting information. The switching
setting information may be notified to the eNB configuring the
interfering cell. In the DC, the eNB configuring the interfering
cell is the SeNB.
[0728] The cell may request the other cells to make the switching
settings. In response to the request, the cells may make the
switching settings. The switching setting information may be
notified to the cell that has requested the switching settings. The
cell that interferes with the UE where interference is a problem
may request the serving cell of the UE to make the switching
settings. For example in the DC, the SeNB configuring the cell that
interferes with the UE where interference is a problem may request
the MeNB configuring the serving cell of the UE to make the
switching settings.
[0729] Consequently, the switching settings can be requested
according to a state of the cell that interferes with the UE where
interference is a problem, which can reflect the state of the
interfering cell on the switching settings.
[0730] The notification between the cells may be made via the X2
interface. The notification in the DC may be made via an X2-U
interface. Alternatively, the notification may be made through a
core network node, for example, an MME. Alternatively, the
notification may be made via the S1 interface. Alternatively, the
notification may be included in an existing message of the X2
interface or the S1 interface to be notified. The method disclosed
as the method for notifying the CSI settings according to the first
embodiment may be applied. Thus, the same advantages as those
according to the first embodiment can be produced.
[0731] When the serving cell makes the switching settings, the
concentrator or the OAM may notify the serving cell of an indicator
for determining the switching settings. The indicator for
determining the switching settings may be a threshold for a
magnitude of interference from the interfering cell. When the
threshold for the magnitude of interference exceeds a predetermined
value, the non-serving cell may form beams and transmit data. When
the threshold for the magnitude of interference is lower than or
equal to the predetermined value, the serving cell may form beams
and transmit data.
[0732] The threshold for the magnitude of interference for
determining the switching settings may be different from the
aforementioned magnitude of interference for determining the UE
where interference is a problem. For example, the threshold for the
magnitude of interference for determining the switching settings
may be larger than a threshold for a magnitude of interference for
determining the UE where interference is a problem.
[0733] It is possible to set which method for forming beams is
applied when there are the UEs where interference is a problem.
[0734] The switching setting information may include
synchronization information. The synchronization information may be
information for synchronizing between the cells on which timing the
settings are applied. Examples of the synchronization information
include a system frame number (SFN), a radio frame number, a
subframe number, a slot number, etc. Notifying such information to
each cell can synchronize the switching.
[0735] The cell may notify the UEs being served thereby of the
switching setting information. The switching setting information
may be notified only to the UE whether interference is a problem.
The switching setting information may be included in the broadcast
information to be broadcast, or included in dedicated information
to be notified via dedicated signaling. The RRC signaling or the
MAC signaling may be used. Alternatively, an L1/L2 signal may be
used.
[0736] The recognition of the switching settings by the UE can lead
to recognition of the cell that forms beams. The cell from which
data is transmitted can be recognized. Alternatively, the cell from
which a control channel is transmitted can be recognized. Thus, the
UE can recognize with an identifier of which cell or with the RNTI
allocated from which cell the UE receives the data and the control
channel.
[0737] Fourth Modification of Second Embodiment
[0738] The third modification of the second embodiment discloses
the method for connecting the UE where interference is a problem to
two cells as a method for making a non-serving cell transmit data
to the UE where interference is a problem. The fourth modification
will disclose another method for connecting the UE where
interference is a problem to two cells to execute the MU-MIMO with
the UE where interference is a problem inclusive for each cell.
[0739] The UE where interference is a problem is connected to two
or more cells, so that the UE notifies each of the cells of the
result of the measured channel information of the cells.
[0740] Although the UE notifies the serving cell of the result of
the measured channel information of each of the cells according to
the method disclosed in the third modification of the second
embodiment, the UE notifies each of the cells of the result of the
measured channel information of the cells in the fourth
modification.
[0741] FIGS. 59 to 61 illustrate another example sequence on a
method for performing the MU-MIMO with the UEs being served by the
other cells where interference from its own cell is a problem
inclusive. FIGS. 59 and 60 are connected across a location of a
border BL22. FIGS. 60 and 61 are connected across a location of a
border BL23.
[0742] FIGS. 59 to 61 illustrate application of the DC. FIGS. 59 to
61 also illustrate a method in which the UEs where interference is
a problem notify each cell of the results of the measured channel
information of the cells.
[0743] Since the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 59 to 61 includes
the same Steps as those in the sequences illustrated in FIGS. 11
and 12, in FIGS. 46 and 47, in FIGS. 49 to 51, and in FIGS. 52 to
54, the same step numbers will be assigned to the same Steps and
the common description thereof will be omitted.
[0744] In Step ST2601, the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem
notifies the cell 2 of the result of the measured channel
information of the cell 2.
[0745] In Step ST2602, the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem
notifies the cell 1 of the result of the measured channel
information of the cell 1.
[0746] In Step ST2603, the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem
notifies the cell 2 of the result of the measured channel
information of the cell 2.
[0747] In Step ST2604, the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem
notifies the cell 1 of the result of the measured channel
information of the cell 1.
[0748] In Steps ST2005a and ST2006a of FIGS. 56 to 58, the cell
notifies the interfering cell of information on the results of the
measured channel information after obtaining the results from the
UEs where interference is a problem.
[0749] However, the cell need not notify the interfering cell of
information on the results of the measured channel information
after obtaining the results from the UEs where interference is a
problem as illustrated in FIGS. 59 to 61 according to the fourth
modification. Since the UEs where interference is a problem notify
each of the cells of the results of the measured channel
information of the cells, the results of the measured channel
information of the interfering cell are directly notified to the
interfering cell without routing through the serving cell.
[0750] Application of the method disclosed in the fourth
modification can eliminate the need for notifying information on
the results of the measured channel information between the cells.
Consequently, the cell can reflect the results of the channel
information measured by the UEs to the execution of the MIMO with
lower latency. The cell can reflect the results of the channel
information measured by the UEs to deriving of precoding weights
with lower latency.
[0751] Thus, the cell can increase the precision of the channel
information of the UEs in deriving the precoding weights, and form
beams with higher precision.
[0752] Consequently, the interference with the UEs that perform the
MU-MIMO can be reduced, and the UEs can further accelerate the
communication.
[0753] Since the UEs are connected to the cells 1 and 2 in the DC
according to the fourth modification, not only communication from
the MeNB through the MU-MIMO but also communication from the SeNB
through the MU-MIMO are possible.
[0754] Fifth Modification of Second Embodiment
[0755] The methods for forming beams by the serving cell and
forming a null by the other interfering cells are disclosed as the
methods for solving the problems described in the second
embodiment. The fifth modification will disclose a method for
transmitting data to the UE where interference is a problem without
forming a null. The fifth modification differs from the second
embodiment in that the serving cell and the non-serving cell
perform joint transmission for transmitting, to the UEs where
interference is a problem, the same data series together with the
same f-t resources.
[0756] First, the serving cell and performs the precoding with the
UEs being served by the other cells where interference is a problem
inclusive. Here, control is performed so that the same data series
is transmitted to the UEs where interference is a problem. To
transmit the same data series, the serving cell notifies the
non-serving cell to transmit the same signal. Instead of the
serving cell, the concentrator may make the notification.
[0757] Processes for the joint transmission are performed only for
the UEs where interference is a problem. The base station
determines interference.
[0758] The determination method based on the SINR described in the
seventh modification of the first embodiment may be used to
determine interference. Diversity reception after delay waves are
equalized is possible as a reception method by the UE. The example
will be the equal gain combining or the maximum ratio combining
(abbreviated as MRC) based on downlink CSI.
[0759] FIG. 62 illustrates an example structure of a communication
system when the MU-MIMO is performed with the UEs being served by
the other cells inclusive for each cell. In FIG. 62, the UE 1-1 and
the UE 2-1 are UEs where interference is a problem. A serving cell
and a non-serving cell form beams for the UEs where interference is
a problem. The data series of the serving cell is the same as that
of the non-serving cell.
[0760] In FIG. 62, the cell 1 performs the MIMO with the UE 2-1
inclusive, where the cell 1 is a non-serving cell for the UE 2-1.
In FIG. 62, the cell 2 performs the MIMO with the UE 1-1 inclusive,
where the cell 2 is a non-serving cell for the UE 1-1. Both the
cells 1 and 2 direct beams toward the UE 1-1 and the UE 2-1. Thus,
the same signals arrive at the UE 1-1 and the UE 2-1, and the
signals can be regarded as delay waves. Equalizing the delay waves
enables the diversity reception.
[0761] The methods according to the fifth modification for
performing the MU-MIMO and the joint transmission with the UEs
where interference is a problem inclusive for each cell can be
executed in the sequence identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 46
and 47.
[0762] With the execution of the methods for performing the MU-MIMO
and the joint transmission with the UEs where interference is a
problem inclusive for each cell, the cell 1 can perform the MU-MIMO
transmission to the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served
thereby and to the UE 2-1 that is the UE being served by another
cell where interference is a problem.
[0763] Furthermore, the cell 2 can perform the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 being served thereby and to the UE 1-1 being served
by another cell where interference from its own cell is a
problem.
[0764] Upon receipt of data from the serving cell and the
non-serving cell, the UEs where interference is a problem can
obtain transmission diversity and array gain, and increase the
signal quality at a receiving end of each of the UEs. The fifth
modification produces the outstanding advantages particularly at a
cell edge where interference between the cells is likely to be a
problem and the received power is lower.
[0765] Sixth Modification of Second Embodiment
[0766] Although the second embodiment discloses the method for
determining interference, the sixth modification will more
specifically describe the method for determining the interference
and disclose an example of determining the presence or absence of a
problem with interference when the SINR is used as a threshold for
the determination. The sixth modification will also disclose an
example of determining interference when the channel information is
measured from an uplink SRS and the downlink channel information is
estimated from a result of the measurement.
[0767] Feedback from the UE on a downlink channel will be
described. The UE notifies a UE of, as the channel measuring
information, the cell IDs of the cells 1 and 2, scheduling
information of a channel estimating signal, and synchronization
information.
[0768] The UE measures the channels, the RSSIs, and the RSRPs of
the cells 1 and 2 based on the channel measuring information.
[0769] A non-pre-coded CRS or a non-pre-coded CSI-RS is used for
measuring the channel information, the RSSI, and the RSRP. The UE
determines the reception SINR from the measured RSSI and RSRP. When
a pre-coded CRS or a pre-coded CSI-RS is used for measuring the
RSSI and the RSRP, the precision of determining interference can be
increased. Averaging in a time direction may be used to determine
the reception SINR.
[0770] After determining the reception SINR, the UE transmits the
measured CSIs of the cells 1 and 2, the SINR of its own cell, and
the UE category to each of the cells 1 and 2 using a UE-specific
sequence. The UE category allows the cell to understand the number
of UE antennas and the interference suppression capabilities
including the signal processing capabilities. A SINR threshold for
determining whether interference is a problem is reduced by a
constant amount when it can be determined from the UE category that
the number of reception antennas is larger than the number of
transmission streams, similarly as the seventh modification of the
first embodiment. When a reception SINR of the UE is smaller than a
predetermined threshold, it is determined that the UE has a problem
with interference.
[0771] The UE may determine whether interference is a problem. When
the cells 1 and 2 notify the channel measuring information, the
cells need to notify a threshold of the reception SINR together.
The UE determines whether interference is a problem relative to the
threshold of the reception SINR, and transmits a result of the
determination to the cells.
[0772] FIGS. 63 and 64 illustrate an example sequence for
performing the SU-MIMO with feedback of the downlink channel
information from the UEs. FIGS. 63 and 64 are connected across a
location of a border BL24.
[0773] In Step ST3201, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 of the
channel measuring information.
[0774] In Step ST3202, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 of the
channel measuring information.
[0775] In Step ST3203, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-3 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0776] In Step ST3204, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-1 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0777] In Step ST3205, the cell 2 notifies the UE 2-1 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0778] In Step ST3206, the UE 2-1 measures a channel, the RSSI, and
the RSRP based on cell information in the channel measuring
information received in Step ST3205.
[0779] In Step ST3207, the UE 1-3 measures a channel, the RSSI, and
the RSRP based on cell information in the channel measuring
information received in Step ST3203.
[0780] In Step ST3208, the UE 1-1 measures a channel, the RSSI, and
the RSRP based on cell information in the channel measuring
information received in Step ST3204.
[0781] In Step ST3209, the UE 2-1 estimates the SINR based on the
RSSI and the RSRP measured in Step ST3206.
[0782] In Step ST3210, the UE 1-3 estimates the SINR based on the
RSSI and the RSRP measured in Step ST3207.
[0783] In Step ST3211, the UE 1-1 estimates the SINR based on the
RSSI and the RSRP measured in Step ST3208.
[0784] In Step ST3212, the UE 1-1 transmits the channel
information, the SINR, and the UE category to the cell 1 that is
the serving cell of the UE 1-1.
[0785] In Step ST3213, the UE 1-3 transmits the channel
information, the SINR, and the UE category to the cell 1 that is
the serving cell of the UE 1-3.
[0786] In Step ST3214, the UE 2-1 transmits the channel
information, the SINR, and the UE category to the cell 2 that is
the serving cell of the UE 2-1.
[0787] In Step ST3215, the cell 1 determines the presence or
absence of the UE where interference is a problem by comparing the
information obtained from the UE 1-1 and the UE 1-3 with the SINR
threshold. The cell 1 determines that interference is a problem
when the SINRs obtained from the UEs exceed the SINR threshold.
When the SINR is smaller than or equal to the SINR threshold, it is
determined that interference is not a problem. Upon determination
that the SINR obtained from the UE exceeds the SINR threshold in
Step ST3215, the cell 1 identifies the UE 1-1 as the UE where
interference is a problem in Step ST3217.
[0788] In Step ST3216, the cell 2 determines the presence or
absence of the UE where interference is a problem by comparing the
information obtained from the UE 2-1 with the SINR threshold. The
cell 2 determines that interference is a problem when the SINR
obtained from the UE exceeds the SINR threshold. When the SINR is
smaller than or equal to the SINR threshold, it is determined that
interference is not a problem. Upon determination that the SINR
obtained from the UE exceeds the SINR threshold in Step ST3216, the
cell 2 identifies the UE 2-1 as the UE where interference is a
problem in Step ST3218.
[0789] The UE may make the judgements in Steps ST3215 and ST3216.
The cells 1 and 2 share the received channel information of the UE
where interference is a problem. Although the channel information
of the UE where interference is a problem is shared via
communication between the cells in FIGS. 63 and 64, it may be
shared via a concentrator.
[0790] In Step ST3219, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the channel information of the cell 2 that has been
obtained from the UE.
[0791] In Step ST3220, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE1-1)), and the channel information of the cell 1 that has been
obtained from the UE.
[0792] In Step ST3221, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served
thereby. In Step ST3222, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served
thereby.
[0793] In Step ST3223, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 1-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0794] In Step ST3224, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0795] In Step ST3225, the cell 1 determines the UEs that are
scheduled on the same f-t resources as those on which the UE 2-1 is
scheduled, from the scheduling information of the UE 2-1 that has
been obtained from the cell 2, and derives precoding weights of
these UEs.
[0796] In Step ST3226, the cell 2 determines the UEs that are
scheduled on the same f-t resources as those on which the UE 1-1 is
scheduled, from the scheduling information of the UE 1-1 that has
been obtained from the cell 1, and derives precoding weights of
these UEs.
[0797] In each of Steps ST3225 and ST3226, the precoding weights
are derived to direct a null to the UEs being served by the other
cells sharing information and where interference is a problem.
[0798] In Step ST3227, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the UE
1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served thereby, and the UE 2-1
that is the UE being served by another cell where interference is a
problem.
[0799] In Step ST3228, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of the UE
2-1 being served thereby, and the UE 1-1 that is the UE being
served by another cell where interference is a problem.
[0800] In Step ST3229, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3228.
[0801] In Step ST3230, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3228.
[0802] In Step ST3231, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3228.
[0803] In Step ST3232, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3227.
[0804] In Step ST3233, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3227.
[0805] In Step ST3234, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3227.
[0806] The following will describe that the cell obtains the uplink
channel information from the SRS to determine a downlink channel
using a duality. A serving cell notifies the UE of, as the channel
measuring information, the cell IDs of the cells 1 and 2,
scheduling information of a channel estimating signal, and
synchronization information. The UE transmits a sequence specific
to both the UE and the cell to the cells 1 and 2 based on the
channel measuring information. Each of the cells 1 and 2 receives a
transmission signal of the UE being served thereby, and measures a
channel, the RSRP, and the UE category. The cells 1 and 2 may
exchange pieces of the measured RSRP information. The RSRP and the
RSSI may be averaged in a time direction. Each of the cells 1 and 2
measures the SINRs of the UEs from the measured information. When
the SINR of a UE is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is
determined that the UE has a problem with interference.
[0807] The UE may determine whether interference is a problem. When
the cells 1 and 2 notify the channel measuring information, the
cells need to notify a threshold of the reception SINR together.
The UE determines whether interference is a problem relative to the
threshold of the reception SINR, and transmits a result of the
determination to the cells.
[0808] Here, the UE need not notify the serving cell of the RSSIs,
the RSRPs, and the UE categories of the cells 1 and 2. When it is
determined that interference is not a problem, the UE need not
notify the channel information of the cells other than the serving
cell.
[0809] FIGS. 65 and 66 illustrate an example sequence for
performing the SU-MIMO by obtaining the uplink channel information
from the SRS to estimate a downlink channel using a duality. FIGS.
65 and 66 are connected across a location of a border BL25.
[0810] FIGS. 65 and 66 illustrate that the UE determines
interference. FIGS. 65 and 66 also illustrate a method for
performing the MU-MIMO in consideration of a plurality of
cells.
[0811] In Step ST3301, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 of the
channel measuring information.
[0812] In Step ST3302, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 of the
channel measuring information.
[0813] In Step ST3303, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-3 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0814] In Step ST3304, the cell 1 notifies the UE 1-1 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0815] In Step ST3305, the cell 2 notifies the UE 2-1 being served
thereby of the channel measuring information.
[0816] The channel measuring information includes scheduling
information for the UE to measure the SRS.
[0817] Upon receipt of the channel measuring information, the UE
2-1, the UE 1-3, and the UE 1-1 measure the channel information
with the channel measuring information in Step ST3306, Step ST3307,
and Step ST3308, respectively.
[0818] In Step ST3309, the UE 2-1 determines whether interference
is a problem from the measurement result obtained in Step
ST3306.
[0819] In Step ST3310, the UE 1-3 determines whether interference
is a problem from the measurement result obtained in Step
ST3307.
[0820] In Step ST3311, the UE 1-1 determines whether interference
is a problem from the measurement result obtained in Step
ST3308.
[0821] The RSSI, the RSRP, the estimated SINR, and the number of
antennas in the UE are considered in making the judgments in Steps
ST3309, ST3310, and ST3311.
[0822] In Step ST3312, the UE 2-1 determines that interference is a
problem. In Step ST3313, the UE 1-1 determines that interference is
a problem. When the UEs determine that interference is a problem,
the UEs transmit the channel information only to the cell 1. In the
sequence illustrated in FIGS. 65 and 66, the UE 1-1 and the UE 2-1
are UEs where interference is a problem.
[0823] In Step ST3314, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 1 of an uplink
channel measuring signal based on the measurement result in Step
ST3308.
[0824] In Step ST3315, the UE 1-3 notifies the cell 1 of an uplink
channel measuring signal based on the measurement result in Step
ST3307.
[0825] In Step ST3316, the UE 2-1 notifies the cell 1 of an uplink
channel measuring signal based on the measurement result in Step
ST3306.
[0826] In Step ST3317, the cell 1 measures the channel information
based on the uplink channel measuring signals notified from the
UEs.
[0827] In Step ST3318, the UE 1-1 notifies the cell 2 of the uplink
channel measuring signal based on the measurement result in Step
ST3308.
[0828] In Step ST3319, the UE 2-1 notifies the cell 2 of the uplink
channel measuring signal based on the measurement result in Step
ST3306.
[0829] In Step ST3320, the cell 2 measures the channel information
from the uplink channel measuring signals notified from the UE 1-3
and the UE 2-3.
[0830] In Step ST3321, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the channel information of the cell 2 that has been
obtained from the UE.
[0831] In Step ST3322, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE1-1)), and the channel information of the cell 1 that has been
obtained from the UE.
[0832] In Step ST3323, the cell 1 schedules the UEs being served
thereby. In Step ST3324, the cell 2 schedules the UEs being served
thereby.
[0833] In Step ST3325, the cell 1 notifies the cell 2 that
interferes with the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 1-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 1-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0834] In Step ST3326, the cell 2 notifies the cell 1 that
interferes with the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem of the
UE identifier of the UE 2-1 where interference is a problem (UEID
(UE 2-1)), and the scheduling information of the UE.
[0835] In Step ST3327, the cell 1 determines the UEs that are
scheduled on the same f-t resources as those on which the UE 2-1 is
scheduled, from the scheduling information of the UE 2-1 that has
been obtained from the cell 2, and derives precoding weights of
these UEs.
[0836] In Step ST3328, the cell 2 determines the UEs that are
scheduled on the same f-t resources as those on which the UE 1-1 is
scheduled, from the scheduling information of the UE 1-1 that has
been obtained from the cell 1, and derives precoding weights of
these UEs.
[0837] In Step ST3329, the cell 1 makes the MIMO settings of the UE
1-1 and the UE 1-3 that are being served thereby, and the UE 2-1
that is the UE being served by another cell where interference is a
problem.
[0838] In Step ST3330, the cell 2 makes the MIMO settings of the UE
2-1 being served thereby, and the UE 1-1 that is the UE being
served by another cell where interference is a problem.
[0839] In Step ST3331, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3330.
[0840] In Step ST3332, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3330.
[0841] In Step ST3333, the cell 2 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3330.
[0842] In Step ST3334, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3329.
[0843] In Step ST3335, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 1-3 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3329.
[0844] In Step ST3336, the cell 1 performs the MU-MIMO transmission
to the UE 2-1 according to the MIMO settings made in Step
ST3329.
[0845] The following will describe advantages of methods for
obtaining the uplink channel information and using a duality. The
use of a duality shortens the latency necessary for obtaining a
precoding weight to be derived for transmitting data from the cell.
This reduces an estimation error caused by the latency between the
channel estimated by the cell and the actual channel. Thus,
tolerance to the movement of the UE will increase. In other words,
even when the UE moves, the estimation error of the channel
information can be reduced as much as possible.
[0846] Example combinations with the second embodiment to address
the cell whose interference is a problem include measuring signal
strength of all the cells, forming beams from a cell with the
highest signal strength, and directing a null to the other cells
including a serving cell, instead of forming beams from the serving
cell and forming a null from the other cells. This combination can
further increase the reception quality while reducing
interference.
Third Embodiment
[0847] One frame format (may be referred to as a "frame structure")
is used for one carrier in the LTE. The control channels to be
mapped to the same carrier, for example, synchronization signals
such as the P-SS and the S-SS, and the shared channels such as the
PBCH and the RACH are configured in one frame format.
[0848] Operations of various services are expected in the next
fifth-generation (hereinafter may be referred to as "5G")
communication system. Examples of the services include enhanced
mobile broadband (eMBB) services, ultra-reliable and low latency
communications (URLLC) services, and massive machine type
communications (mMTC) services (see Non-Patent Document 11). The
communication terminals will include communication terminals
supporting these services.
[0849] In the 5G radio access system, the frame format to be
applied to each service will be optimized according to the
performance required for the service. In 3GPP, operations of a
plurality of frame formats are under study as the 5G radio access
system. Example proposals include an adaptive frame structure that
is a method in which a plurality of frame formats are adaptively
used within the same carrier (see Non-Patent Document 12).
[0850] The frame formats include transmission time interval (TTI)
and numerologies.
[0851] Time Division Duplex (TDD) has a structure of having the
uplink and the downlink in the same sub-frame. The numerologies
include the symbol duration, the sub-carrier interval, the cyclic
prefix (CP) length, the sampling frequency, and the subframe
length.
[0852] One or more sub-carriers are allocated to each frame format.
Alternatively, predetermined resources on the frequency axis and
the time axis are allocated to each frame format. The sub-carriers
for each frame format and the predetermined resources on the
frequency axis and the time axis will be hereinafter referred to as
resources for each frame format.
[0853] When a plurality of frame formats are used within the same
carrier, there will be a communication terminal incapable of the
first access, that is, being unable to perform initial access
without any ingenuity. For example, when there are different frame
formats A and B and a cell transmits a synchronization signal and a
broadcast channel in the frame format A, a communication terminal
supporting the frame format B is unable to perform initial access
to the cell. The third embodiment will disclose a method for
solving such a problem.
[0854] At least one of a synchronization signal and a shared
channel is provided for each frame format. At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel is mapped to
resources for each frame format. In other words, the frame format
of the resources to be mapped is used for at least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel.
[0855] For example, the synchronization signal (SS) and the
broadcast channel (PBCH) are provided for each frame format, and
are mapped to the resources for the frame format in the downlink
(DL).
[0856] For example, a random access channel (PRACH) is provided for
each frame format, and is mapped to the resources for the frame
format in the uplink (UL).
[0857] A structure of at least one of the synchronization signal
and the shared channel for each frame format may be predetermined.
For example, the structure may be statically determined in, for
example, a standard. Alternatively, the structure may be stored in
a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of the UE. Storing the structure
in the SIM can assume a structure for each operator.
[0858] Examples of the structure of at least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel for each frame format
include a sub-carrier to be mapped, the number of symbols, an
offset time, allocation of the resources to be mapped, and a
sequence to be used. The offset time may be, for example, an offset
time from the subframe timing, or an offset symbol. A structure of
at least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel
for each frame format may be made periodic with, for example, a
period.
[0859] When the UE accesses a radio access network using the
structure of at least one of the synchronization signal and the
shared channel for each frame format, the UE receives at least one
of the synchronization signal and the shared channel mapped to the
resources in the frame format corresponding to its own UE, i.e., at
least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel in a
frame format corresponding to its own UE.
[0860] Consequently, even when a plurality of frame formats are
used within the same carrier, at least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel in the frame format corresponding to
its own UE can be transmitted or received. This allows for access
to the radio access network.
[0861] The resources for each frame format may be predetermined.
The resources may be statically determined in, for example, a
standard. Alternatively, the resources may be stored in the SIM of
the UE. Storing the resources in the SIM can assume a structure for
each operator.
[0862] FIG. 67 illustrates an example structure in which at least
one of a synchronization signal and a shared channel is provided
for each frame format and is mapped to the resources for each frame
format. In FIG. 67, the horizontal axis represents time t, and the
vertical axis represents a frequency f. FIG. 67 illustrates the
example structure only during a predetermined duration, and similar
mapping is performed during a time other than this.
[0863] Frame formats FF1, FF2, and FF3 are supported within one
carrier. The carrier may be a component carrier. Regions each
consisting of one or more sub-carriers are allocated to the frame
formats FF1, FF2, and FF3.
[0864] At least one of the synchronization signal and the shared
channel in the frame format FF3 is denoted by each of references
"5301", "5302", and "5303", and is included in the regions
allocated to the frame format FF3. At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF3 is periodically mapped.
[0865] Similarly, at least one of the synchronization signal and
the shared channel in the frame format FF2 is denoted by each of
references "5304", "5305", and "5306", and is included in the
regions allocated to the frame format FF2. At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF2 is periodically mapped.
[0866] Similarly, at least one of the synchronization signal and
the shared channel in the frame format FF1 is denoted by each of
references "5307", "5308", and "5309", and is included in the
regions allocated to the frame format FF1. At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF1 is periodically mapped.
[0867] At least one of the synchronization signal and the shared
channel is at least one of the SS and the PBCH in the downlink. At
least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel is
the PRACH in the uplink. When at least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel is the PRACH, the region may allow
for transmission of the PRACH. The UE need not necessarily transmit
the PRACHs as a whole. The UE may transmit, in the region, the
PRACH in the frame format of its own UE as necessary.
[0868] Application of the method disclosed in the third embodiment
enables the UE to transmit or receive at least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
corresponding to its own UE and to access a radio access network,
even when a plurality of frame formats are used within the same
carrier.
[0869] First Modification of Third Embodiment
[0870] The first modification will disclose another method for
solving the problems disclosed in the third embodiment.
[0871] At least one of a common synchronization signal and a common
shared channel independent of a frame format is provided. The same
frame format is applied to at least one of the common
synchronization signal and the common shared channel. In other
words, a frame format for at least one of the common
synchronization signal and the common shared channel is provided.
At least one of the common synchronization signal and the common
shared channel is mapped to common resources independent of a frame
format.
[0872] For example, a common synchronization signal (SS) and a
common broadcast channel (PBCH) independent of a frame format are
provided, and are mapped to the common resources in a common frame
format in the downlink (DL).
[0873] For example, a common random access channel (PRACH)
independent of a frame format is provided, and can be mapped to the
common resources in the common frame format in the uplink (UL).
[0874] The common frame format, and a structure of at least one of
the common synchronization signal and the common shared channel may
be predetermined. For example, the structure may be statically
determined in, for example, a standard. Alternatively, the
structure may be stored in the SIM of the UE. Storing the structure
in the SIM can assume a structure for each operator.
[0875] Examples of the structure of at least one of the common
synchronization signal and the common shared channel include a
sub-carrier to be mapped, the number of symbols, an offset time,
allocation of the resources to be mapped, and a sequence to be
used. The offset time may be, for example, an offset time from the
subframe timing, or an offset symbol. At least one of the common
synchronization signal and the common shared channel may be made
periodic with, for example, a period.
[0876] The common resources may be predetermined. For example, the
resources may be statically determined in, for example, a standard.
Alternatively, the resources may be stored in the SIM of the UE.
Storing the resources in the SIM can assume a structure for each
operator.
[0877] The UE can be configured to transmit or receive at least one
of the common synchronization signal and the common shared channel
in the common frame format, in addition to each frame format
supported by its own UE. Consequently, the common resources can be
configured irrespective of the kind of the UE.
[0878] The common resources may correspond one-to-one to carriers.
The common resources may be one f-t resource. The common resources
may be set to the common timing. The timing to set the common
resources may be any, and may have a correlation with the timing in
each frame format, such as the TTI timing and the subframe
timing.
[0879] The correlation allows for identifying, for example, the
subframe timing in each frame format when at least one of the
common synchronization signal and the common shared channel can be
received.
[0880] This enables the UE to receive a signal or a channel to be
mapped to the resources in the frame format of its own UE early
after receiving at least one of the common synchronization signal
and the common shared channel.
[0881] The numerologies in a common frame format may be reference
numerologies. The following (1) to (4) will be disclosed as example
reference numerologies:
[0882] (1) adjusting the sampling frequency to the frequency with
the lowest speed, that is, the lowest frequency;
[0883] (2) adjusting the sub-carrier interval to the narrowest
bandwidth;
[0884] (3) adjusting the symbol duration to the longest duration;
and
[0885] (4) adjusting the FFT size to the smallest size.
[0886] These (1) to (4) may be combined. These may be combined with
the other indicators. The reference numerologies may be
numerologies for enabling reception of the UE with the lowest
capability.
[0887] This makes it easier for each of the UEs to configure, when
the numerologies to be supported within one carrier are scalable,
the reference numerologies in addition to the numerologies
supported by the UE.
[0888] The common PBCH may carry information necessary for
receiving each frame format. The following (1) to (7) will be
disclosed as examples of the information:
[0889] (1) an applied format according to the kind (type or
category) of the UE;
[0890] (2) an applied format according to the kind of a service and
required performance;
[0891] (3) an applied format according to a required Quality of
Service (QoS) value;
[0892] (4) a structure of each frame format;
[0893] (5) a timing correlation value;
[0894] (6) a SFN correlation value; and
[0895] (7) a frequency, time, a symbol length, a CP length, the
TTI, etc.
[0896] As such, the PBCH in each frame format may be eliminated.
After receipt of the common PBCH, a control channel such as the
PDCCH or a control signal such as the RS in each frame form at may
be directly received. Consequently, the UE can shift to each frame
format supported by its own UE earlier.
[0897] sub_PBCH in each frame format may be provided. This may be
provided when the common PBCH lacks information.
[0898] Here, the common PBCH may carry information such as a
frequency, time, and MCS of sub_PBCH.
[0899] When the UE accesses a radio access network using a common
frame format and a structure of at least one of a synchronization
signal and a shared channel, the UE transmits or receives at least
one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared channel
that are mapped to the resources in the common frame format.
[0900] Consequently, even when a plurality of frame formats are
used within the same carrier, the UE can receive or transmit at
least one of the common synchronization signal and the common
shared channel in the common frame format, and can access the radio
access network.
[0901] FIG. 68 illustrates an example structure in which at least
one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared channel
in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the common
resources. In FIG. 68, the horizontal axis represents time t, and
the vertical axis represents a frequency f. FIG. 68 illustrates the
example structure only during a predetermined duration, and similar
mapping is performed during a time other than this.
[0902] A frame format FF4 common to the UEs is supported within one
carrier, in addition to the frame formats FF1, FF2, and FF3.
Regions each consisting of one or more sub-carriers are allocated
to the frame formats FF1, FF2, FF3, and FF4. The region of the
frame format FF4 is denoted by each of references "5401", "5402",
"5403", "5404", "5405", and "5406". At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF4 is denoted by each of the references "5401", "5403", and
"5405", and is included in the regions allocated to the frame
format FF4. At least one of the synchronization signal and the
shared channel in the frame format FF4 is periodically mapped.
[0903] At least one of the synchronization signal and the shared
channel in the frame format FF4 is not mapped to the regions
denoted by the references "5402", "5404", and "5406" among the
regions of the frame format FF4. The regions "5402", "5404", and
"5406" are regions in which nothing is transmitted in the example
of FIG. 68.
[0904] At least one of the synchronization signal and the shared
channel is at least one of the SS and the PBCH in the downlink. At
least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel is
the PRACH in the uplink. When at least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel is the PRACH, the region may allow
for transmission of the PRACH. The UE need not necessarily transmit
the PRACHs as a whole. The PRACH in the frame format of its own UE
may be transmitted in the region as necessary.
[0905] The UE can access a radio access network through
transmission or reception of at least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel in the common frame format FF4.
[0906] FIG. 69 illustrates another example structure in which at
least one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared
channel in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the
common resources.
[0907] The example illustrated in FIG. 69 differs from that in FIG.
68 in that one or more sub-carriers to which the common frame
format FF4 is allocated are not configured during the entire
duration. Only the f-t resources to which at least one of a common
synchronization signal and a common shared channel in a common
frame format is mapped are configured in the common frame format
FF4.
[0908] The region of the common frame format FF4 is denoted by each
of the references "5401", "5403", and "5405". At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF4 is mapped to each of the regions denoted by the references
"5401", "5403", and "5405". At least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel in the common frame format FF4 may be
periodically mapped.
[0909] In the example illustrated in FIG. 69, the regions to which
at least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel
in the frame format FF4 is not mapped are the regions in the frame
format FF2. At least one of the synchronization signal and the
shared channel in the common frame format FF4 may be mapped to part
of the regions in the frame format FF2. The signal or the channel
in the frame format FF2 is not mapped to the regions to which at
least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel in
the common frame format FF4 is mapped. At least one of the signal
and the channel in the frame format FF2 may be punctured in the
regions.
[0910] The UE recognizes, in advance, the regions to which at least
one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel in the
common frame format FF4 is mapped. For example, the regions may be
statically predetermined in, for example, a standard. This enables
transmission or reception of at least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel in the frame format FF2 as well as at
least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel in
the common frame format FF4.
[0911] Alternatively, the UE or the base station may blindly detect
at least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel
in the common frame format FF4. The UE or the base station that
receives the frame format FF2 may reduce the influence of at least
one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel in the
common frame format FF4 by obtaining demodulation gain through, for
example, the CRC.
[0912] Consequently, the UE can access a radio access network
through transmission or reception of at least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the common frame
format FF4. The f-t resources to be used for the frame format FF2
and the use efficiency of the resources in the example illustrated
in FIG. 69 can be increased more than those in the example
illustrated in FIG. 68.
[0913] FIG. 70 illustrates another example structure in which at
least one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared
channel in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the
common resources.
[0914] FIG. 70 illustrates an example of configuring the f-t
resources to which the common frame format FF4 is allocated, by the
number of symbols at all the carrier frequencies during a
predetermined duration. In the example illustrated in FIG. 70, only
the f-t resources to which at least one of a common synchronization
signal and a common shared channel in a common frame format is
mapped are configured in the common frame format FF4.
[0915] The region of the common frame format FF4 is denoted by each
of references "5601", "5602", and "5603". At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF4 is mapped to each of the regions denoted by the references
"5601", "5602", and "5603". At least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel in the frame format FF4 may be
periodically mapped.
[0916] In the example illustrated in FIG. 70, the regions to which
at least one of the synchronization signal and the shared channel
in the frame format FF4 is not mapped are the regions in the frame
formats FF1, FF2, and FF3. The method identical to that disclosed
in FIG. 69 may be applied as a method for multiplexing these.
[0917] Consequently, the UE can access a radio access network
through transmission or reception of at least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the common frame
format FF4.
[0918] FIG. 71 illustrates another example structure in which at
least one of a common synchronization signal and a common shared
channel in a common frame format is provided and is mapped to the
common resources. In FIG. 71, the horizontal axis represents time
t, and the vertical axis represents a frequency f. FIG. 71
illustrates the example structure only during a predetermined
duration, and similar mapping is performed during a time other than
this.
[0919] The frame format FF4 common to the UEs is supported by a
carrier different from carriers by which the frame formats FF1,
FF2, and FF3 are supported. The carriers may be component carriers.
Regions each consisting of one or more sub-carriers are allocated
to the common frame format.
[0920] The regions of the common frame format FF4 are denoted by
references "5701", "5702", and "5703". At least one of the
synchronization signal and the shared channel in the frame format
FF4 is mapped to each of the regions denoted by the references
"5701", "5702", and "5703". At least one of the synchronization
signal and the shared channel in the frame format FF4 may be
periodically mapped.
[0921] In the example illustrated in FIG. 71, one or more
sub-carriers to which the common frame format FF4 is allocated are
not configured during the entire duration. Only the f-t resources
to which at least one of a common synchronization signal and a
common shared channel in a common frame format is mapped are
configured in the common frame format FF4.
[0922] Without being limited to this, one or more sub-carriers to
which the common frame format FF4 is allocated may be configured
during the entire duration. Nothing should be transmitted on
resources other than the f-t resources to which at least one of a
common synchronization signal and a common shared channel in a
common frame format is mapped. Alternatively, at least one of a
different signal and a different channel in the frame format FF4
may be transmitted.
[0923] Making a difference between the carriers that support the
frame formats FF1, FF2, and FF3 and the carrier that supports the
frame format FF4 common to the UEs enables transmission and
reception of at least one of the synchronization signal and the
shared channel in the frame format FF4 common to the UEs, without
influencing at least one of the signals and the channels to be
transmitted and received in the frame formats FF1, FF2, and FF3.
The carriers may be component carriers.
[0924] Application of the method disclosed in this first
modification enables transmission or reception of at least one of
the common synchronization signal and the common shared channel in
the common frame format and also access to a radio access network,
even when a plurality of frame formats are used within the same
carrier.
[0925] The embodiments and the modifications are merely
illustrations of the present invention, and can be freely combined
within the scope of the present invention. Any constituent elements
of the embodiments and the modifications can be appropriately
modified or omitted.
[0926] While the invention has been described in detail, the
foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not
restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications
and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCES
[0927] 701 coverage of macro cell, 702 coverage of small cell, 703
user equipment (UE).
* * * * *
References