Systems and Methods for Scheduling Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Pilot Channels
Transitioning from basic higher order MIMO channel estimation to enhanced higher order MIMO channel estimation (and vice-versa) can be accomplished through the signaling of high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) orders to next-generation user equipments (UEs). A base station can be configured to send an HS-SCCH order indicating activation of scheduled pilot channels, and then begin transmitting the scheduled pilot channels after receiving an ACK message from at least one next-generation UE. A base station can also be configured to send an HS-SCCH order indicating de-activation of scheduled pilot channels to next-generation UEs scheduled for downlink transmission, and then stop transmitting the scheduled pilot channels after receiving ACK messages from each next-generation UE. Alternatively, scheduled pilot channels may be activated/de-activated without receiving an ACK message from some or all of the next-generation UEs scheduled for downlink transmission.
1 . A method for communicating pilot signaling, the method comprising:
transmitting, by an node B (NodeB), common pilots to at least one user equipment (UE) on a plurality of first antenna ports;
transmitting, by the NodeB, a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the at least one UE, the HS-SCCH order indicating that the NodeB will begin transmitting scheduled pilots;
receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the at least one UE; and
responsive to receiving the ACK message, transmitting, by the NodeB, the scheduled pilots on at least one second antenna port to the at least one UE.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
ceasing, by the NodeB, transmission of the scheduled pilots when pilot channel signaling has been de-activated through the HS-SCCH orders.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the scheduled pilots comprises:
transmitting de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling on the at least one second antenna port.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the HS-SCCH order includes orders for activating or deactivating de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the HS-SCCH orders for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling are UE-specific.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling comprises:
sending, by the NodeB, an HS-SCCH frame containing an order for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling.
7 . A node B (NodeB) adapted to operate in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) mode with four transmit antennas operating in a High-Speed Downlink Shared channel (HS-DSCH) a cell, the NodeB comprising:
a processor; and
a computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions for:
transmitting common pilots to at least one user equipment (UE) on a plurality of first antenna ports;
transmitting a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the at least one UE, the HS-SCCH order indicating that the NodeB will begin transmitting scheduled pilots;
receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the at least one UE; and
responsive to receiving the ACK message, transmitting the scheduled pilots on at least one second antenna port to the at least one UE.
8 . The NodeB of claim 7 , wherein the programming further comprises instructions for:
ceasing, by the NodeB, transmission of the scheduled pilots when pilot channel signaling has been de-activated through the HS-SCCH orders.
9 . The NodeB of claim 7 , wherein transmitting the scheduled pilots comprises:
transmitting de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling on the at least one second antenna port.
10 . The NodeB of claim 7 , wherein the HS-SCCH order includes orders for activating or deactivating de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling.
11 . The NodeB of claim 10 , wherein the HS-SCCH orders for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling are UE-specific.
12 . The NodeB of claim 11 , wherein activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling comprises:
sending, by the NodeB, an HS-SCCH frame containing an order for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling.
13 . A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions for execution in a an node B (NodeB), that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
transmitting common pilots to at least one user equipment (UE) on a plurality of first antenna ports;
transmitting a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to the at least one UE, the HS-SCCH order indicating that the NodeB will begin transmitting scheduled pilots;
receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message from the at least one UE; and
responsive to receiving the ACK message, transmitting the scheduled pilots on at least one second antenna port to the at least one UE.
14 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
ceasing, by the NodeB, transmission of the scheduled pilots when pilot channel signaling has been de-activated through the HS-SCCH orders.
15 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13 , wherein transmitting the scheduled pilots comprises:
transmitting de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling on the at least one second antenna port.
16 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13 , wherein the HS-SCCH order includes orders for activating or deactivating de-modulation common pilot channel (D-CPICH) signaling.
17 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the HS-SCCH orders for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling are UE-specific.
18 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17 , wherein activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling comprises:
sending, by the NodeB, an HS-SCCH frame containing an order for activating or deactivating the D-CPICH signaling.