Estimation of the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems
View Patent ↗An apparatus configured to receive a first signal and a second signal from a further apparatus, determine a third signal dependent on at least a first part of the first signal and a first part of the second signal, and generate a parameter value dependent on the third signal.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a receiver for receiving a first signal and a second signal from a transmitter, the apparatus configured to:
determine a third signal dependent on at least a first part of the first signal and a first part of the second signal, wherein the third signal is determined by summing the product of at least part of the first signal by a first weighting coefficient to the product of at least part of the second signal by a second weighting coefficient, and multiplying the sum by a first pilot pattern signal; and
generate a parameter value dependent on the third signal.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the parameter value comprises at least one of:
a signal to noise ratio of a further signal associated with the first signal;
a signal to interference ratio of a further signal associated with the first signal; and
a signal to interference and noise ratio of a further signal associated with the first signal.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first signal comprises an estimate of a first pilot signal associated with the further apparatus first antenna.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second signal comprises an estimate of a second pilot signal associated with the further apparatus second antenna.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a user equipment.
6. A method comprising:
receiving a first signal and a second signal from a further apparatus;
determining a third signal dependent on at least a first part of the first signal and a first part of the second signal, wherein the determining comprises summing the product of at least part of the first signal by a first weighting coefficient to the product of at least part of the second signal by a second weighting coefficient, and multiplying the sum by a first pilot pattern signal; and
generating a parameter value dependent on the third signal.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the parameter value comprises at least one of:
a signal to noise ratio of a further signal associated with the first signal;
a signal to interference ratio of a further signal associated with the first signal; and
a signal to interference and noise ratio of a further signal associated with the first signal.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the first signal comprises an estimate of a first pilot signal associated with the further apparatus first antenna.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the second signal comprises an estimate of a second pilot signal associated with the further apparatus second antenna.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform:
receiving a first signal and a second signal from a further apparatus;
determining a third signal dependent on at least a first part of the first signal and a first part of the second signal, wherein the determining comprises summing the product of at least part of the first signal by a first weighting coefficient to the product of at least part of the second signal by a second weighting coefficient, and multiplying the sum by a first pilot pattern signal; and
generating a parameter value dependent on the third signal.