Method and system for partitioning an antenna array and applying multiple-input-multiple-output and beamforming mechanisms
A system and method are provided for configuring an antenna array having a predetermined number of antennas. After providing an antenna correlation matrix for all antennas with regard to a mobile terminal, the antenna array is virtually partitioned into two or more sub-arrays based on the antenna correlation matrix such that correlations among antennas within each sub-array are higher than correlations among antennas belonging to different sub-arrays. One or more beamforming weights are generated corresponding to each antenna within the sub-arrays for applying to one or more signals transmitted therefrom, and at least one predetermined multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mechanism is further applied among the sub-arrays by treating each sub-array as a virtual antenna.
1. A method for configuring an antenna array having a predetermined number of antennas, the method comprising:
providing an antenna correlation matrix dynamically for all antennas with regard to a mobile terminal;
virtually partitioning the antenna array into two or more sub-arrays based on the antenna correlation matrix such that correlations among antennas within each sub-array are higher than correlations among antennas belonging to different sub-arrays;
generating one or more beamforming weights corresponding to each antenna within the sub-arrays for applying to one or more signals transmitted therefrom; and
applying at least one predetermined multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mechanism among the sub-arrays by treating each sub-array as a single virtual antenna, wherein applying comprises applying the beamforming weights to the antennas and the predetermined MIMO mechanism to each virtual antenna.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing further includes obtaining dynamically a set of correlation coefficients representing correlation between any two antennas of the antenna array.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the correlation coefficients are derived based on one or more uplink signals received at each antenna.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the correlation coefficients are provided by the mobile terminal dynamically.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the antenna correlation matrix is derived through a calibration procedure in which a calibration table is established identifying the correlation matrix based on a direction of arrival of signals received from the mobile terminal.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the virtually partitioning further includes requiring a total transmit power of each sub-array being substantially the same.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the beamforming weights are either derived by a base station or the mobile terminal.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the MIMO mechanism is a transmit diversity scheme.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the transmit diversity scheme is a repeat scheme.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the transmit diversity scheme is a space-time coding scheme.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the MIMO mechanism is a spatial multiplex scheme.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the spatial multiplex scheme is done by sending different data through the partitioned sub-arrays.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the antenna correlation matrix and the beamforming weights are obtained synchronously based on data within a same frame.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the antenna correlation matrix and the beamforming weights are obtained asynchronously based on data received in a different frame.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing is conducted periodically for updating the correlation matrix.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the updating is based on a predetermined triggering event.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein different MIMO mechanisms are applied to different virtual sub-arrays.
18. A method for configuring an antenna array having a predetermined number of antennas, the method comprising:
providing an antenna correlation matrix dynamically for all antennas with regard to a mobile terminal;
virtually partitioning the antenna array into two or more sub-arrays based on the antenna correlation matrix such that correlations among antennas within each sub-array are maximized while correlations among antennas belonging to different sub-arrays are minimized;
generating one or more beamforming weights corresponding to each antenna within the sub-arrays for applying to one or more signals transmitted therefrom; and
applying at least one predetermined multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mechanism among the sub-arrays by treating each sub-array as a single virtual antenna, wherein applying comprises applying the beamforming weights to the antennas and the predetermined MIMO mechanism to each virtual antenna.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the beamforming weights are either derived by a base station or the mobile terminal.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the MIMO mechanism is a transmit diversity scheme.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the transmit diversity scheme is a repeat scheme.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the transmit diversity scheme is a space-time coding scheme.
23. The method of claim 18 wherein the MIMO mechanism is a spatial multiplex scheme.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the spatial multiplex scheme is done by sending different data through the partitioned sub-arrays.
25. The method of claim 18 wherein different MIMO mechanisms are applied to different virtual sub-arrays.
26. A wireless communication system with an antenna array having a predetermined number of antennas, the system comprising:
means for providing an antenna correlation matrix dynamically for all antennas with regard to a mobile terminal;
means for virtually partitioning the antenna array into two or more sub-arrays based on the antenna correlation matrix such that correlations among antennas within each sub-array are higher than correlations among antennas belonging to different sub-arrays;
means for generating one or more beamforming weights corresponding to each antenna within the sub-arrays for applying to one or more signals transmitted therefrom; and
means for applying at least one predetermined multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mechanism among the sub-arrays by treating each sub-array as a single virtual antenna, wherein the means for applying applies the beamforming weights to the antennas and the predetermined MIMO mechanism to each virtual antenna.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein the means for providing is at the mobile terminal.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein the means for providing is at a base station.
29. The system of claim 26 wherein the means for providing is a calibration table identifying the correlation matrix based on a direction of arrival derived from signals received from a calibration terminal.
30. The system of claim 26 wherein means for generating the beamforming weights is at either a base station or the mobile terminal.
31. The system of claim 26 wherein the MIMO mechanism is a transmit diversity scheme.
32. The system of claim 26 wherein the MIMO mechanism is a spatial multiplex scheme.
33. The system of claim 26 wherein the correlation matrix is updated periodically.
34. The system of claim 26 wherein the correlation matrix is updated dynamically based on a predetermined triggering event.
35. The system of claim 26 wherein different MIMO mechanisms are applied to different virtual sub-arrays.