IP Library Granted Patent US 12,445,174
Granted Patent B2
US 12,445,174 · App. 17/766,765 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Methods, UE and APU for handling data transmissions in a distributed MIMO system

Inventors: Pål Frenger (Linköping, SE); Erik G. Larsson (Linköping, SE); Emil Björnson (Hägersten, SE); Martin Hessler (Linköping, SE)
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
H04B7/0456H04L5/0048
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,445,174
App. No.
17/766,765
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by an APU ( 103 ) for handling data transmissions in a distributed massive MIMO communication system ( 100 ). The APU ( 103 ) is comprised in one of at least two non-co-located groups of APUs ( 103 ) in the system ( 100 ). The APU ( 103 ) determines a first pre-coding configuration and a DL reference signal. The APU ( 103 ) transmits, to a UE ( 125 ), the DL reference signal pre-coded with the first pre-coding configuration. The APU ( 103 ) receives information indicating at least one phase adjustment parameter from the UE ( 125 ), and determines a second pre-coding configuration based on the first pre-coding configuration adjusted with the phase adjustment parameter. The APU ( 103 ) transmits DL data pre-coded with the second pre-coding configuration to the UE ( 125 ).

Claims (47)

1. A method performed by an Antenna Processing Unit, APU for handling data transmissions in a distributed massive Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, communication system, wherein the APU is comprised in one of at least two non-co-located groups of APUs in the system, the method comprising:

determining a first pre-coding configuration and a Downlink, DL, reference signal;

transmitting, to a User Equipment, UE, the DL reference signal pre-coded with the first pre-coding configuration;

receiving information indicating a value of at least one phase adjustment parameter from the UE;

determining a second pre-coding configuration based on the first precoding configuration adjusted with the at least one phase adjustment parameter;

transmitting data pre-coded with the second pre-coding configuration to the UE; and

each of the at least two non-co-located groups of APUs being comprised in a respective radio stripe or cable.

2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

receiving an uplink, UL, reference signal, from the UE; and

performing channel estimation based on the UL reference signal;

and wherein the first pre-coding configuration is determined based on the channel estimation.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the first pre-coding configuration is determined by selecting the first pre-coding configuration from a plurality of candidate pre-coding configurations.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the APU and the UE have previously agreed on a code book comprising one or more phase adjustment parameters.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the APU and other APUs in the at least two non-co-located groups are connected to a processing unit through a fronthaul.

6. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, for handling data transmissions in a distributed massive Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, communication system, the method comprising:

receiving a Downlink, DL, reference signal pre-coded with a first precoding configuration from a plurality of Antenna Processing Units, APUs comprised in at least two groups of non-co-located APUs in the system, each of the at least two groups of non-co-located APUs being comprised in a respective radio stripe or cable;

determining a phase difference between the received DL reference signal;

determining at least one phase adjustment parameter based on the determined phase difference;

transmitting information indicating a value of the at least one phase adjustment parameter to at least one APU in the plurality of APUs; and

receiving DL data pre-coded with a second pre-coding configuration from each of the plurality of APUs.

7. The method according to claim 6 , comprising:

transmitting an uplink, UL, reference signal, to each of the plurality of APUs.

8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein N-I phase adjustment parameters are determined, where N is a number of groups of APUs.

9. The method according to claim 6 , wherein one phase adjustment parameter is determined when the UE and each of the plurality of APUs have previously agreed on a code book comprising one or more phase adjustment parameters.

10. An Antenna Processing Unit, APU for handling data transmissions in a distributed massive Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, communication system, wherein the APU is comprised in one of at least two non-co-located groups of APUs in the system, the APU being adapted to:

determine a first pre-coding configuration and a Downlink, DL, reference signal;

transmit, to a User Equipment, UE, the DL reference signal pre-coded with the first pre coding configuration;

receiving information indicating a value of at least one phase adjustment parameter from the UE;

determine a second pre-coding configuration based on the first pre-coding configuration adjusted with the at least one phase adjustment parameter;

transmit DL data pre-coded with the second pre-coding configuration to the UE; and

each of the at least two non-co-located groups of APUs being comprised in a respective radio stripe or cable.

11. The APU according to claim 10 , adapted to:

receive an uplink, UL, reference signal, from the UE; and to

perform channel estimation based on the UL reference signal; and

wherein the first pre-coding configuration is determined based on the channel estimation.

12. The APU according to claim 11 , wherein the first pre-coding configuration is determined by selecting the first pre-coding configuration from a plurality of candidate first pre-coding configurations.

13. The APU according to claim 10 , wherein the APU and the UE have previously agreed on a code book comprising one or more phase adjustment parameters.

14. A User Equipment, UE, for handling data transmissions in a distributed massive Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, communication system, the UE being adapted to:

receive a Downlink, DL, reference signal pre-coded with a first pre-coding configuration from a plurality of Antenna Processing Units, APUs comprised in at least two groups of non-co-located APUs in the system, each of the at least two groups of non-co-located APUs being comprised in a respective radio stripe or cable;

determine a phase difference between the received DL reference signal;

determine least one phase adjustment parameter based on the determined phase difference;

transmit information indicating a value of the at least one phase adjustment parameter to at least one APU in the plurality of APUs; and to

receive DL data pre-coded with a second pre-coding configuration from each of the APUs in the plurality.

15. The UE according to claim 14 , adapted to:

transmit an uplink, UL, reference signal, to each of the APUs in the plurality.

16. The UE according to claim 14 , wherein N-I phase adjustment parameters are determined, where N is a number of groups of APUs.

17. The UE according to claim 14 , wherein one phase adjustment parameter is determined when the UE and each of the APUs in the plurality have previously agreed on a code book comprising one or more phase adjustment parameters.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2022
From: FRENGER, PAL; HESSLER, MARTIN
To: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Reel/Frame 059513/0081 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2022
From: LARSSON, ERIK G.; BJORNSON, EMIL
To: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Reel/Frame 059513/0193 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230318667A1 · Oct 5, 2023
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