Signaling Support for Antenna Selection Using Subset Lists and Subset Masks

摘要

A communication device is described herein that has control (or at least partial control) over which virtual antenna(s) in one or more base stations to use for transmissions. In one embodiment, the mobile phone performs the following steps: (1) receives an antenna subset list (from the scheduling unit) which identifies a configuration of virtual antennas that is associated with the base station(s); (2) uses the antenna subset list to select which virtual antenna(s) in the configuration of virtual antennas to use for transmissions; and (3) sends an antenna selection signal (to the scheduling unit) which contains information that instructs/requests the base station(s)/scheduling unit to use the selected virtual antenna(s) for transmissions.

主权项

1. A wireless communication apparatus, comprising:
a processor; and a memory with instructions stored therein which are able to be processed by the processor to facilitate:
obtaining an antenna subset list which identifies a configuration of virtual antennas, which represent a mapping of signals to physical antenna elements, associated with a scheduling unit that is associated with an at least one base station;measuring pilot signals from the physical antenna elements;using the antenna subset list and the measured pilot signals for selecting which configuration of at least one of the virtual antennas should be used for transmissions; andsending an antenna selection signal which contains information requesting a scheduling unit to use said selected at least one virtual antennas for transmissions, wherein said antenna subset list is:
a concurrent combination of a first antenna subset list and a second antenna subset list that allows up to one virtual antenna to be selected from the first antenna subset list and up to one virtual antenna to be selected from the second antenna subset list.