IP Library Granted Patent US 12,470,262
Granted Patent B2
US 12,470,262 · App. 18/330,316 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Method and apparatus for calibration in distributed mimo networks

Inventors: Jianzhong Zhang (Dallas, TX); Yang Li (Plano, TX); Gilwon Lee (Dallas, TX); Yeqing Hu (Allen, TX); Shadi Abu-Surra (Plano, TX); Md. Saifur Rahman (Plano, TX)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
H04B7/0417H04B7/0452H04L5/0053
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,470,262
App. No.
18/330,316
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Calibration in distributed multiple input multiple output (MIMO) networks. A method performed by a first base station (BS) includes receiving a first uplink (UL) reference signal (RS) and determining, based on the first UL RS and a second UL RS, a first phase offset for transmission of a first downlink (DL) RS to a user equipment (UE). The second UL RS is associated with a second BS. The first phase offset of the first DL RS is relative to a second DL RS associated with the second BS. The method further includes transmitting the first DL RS with the first phase offset; receiving UE feedback associated with the first DL RS and the second DL RS; and determining, based on the first phase offset and the received feedback, for a DL data transmission to the UE, a second phase offset between transmissions of the first BS and the second BS.

Claims (78)

1 . A first base station (BS), comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive a first uplink (UL) reference signal (RS); and

a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to determine, based on the first UL RS and a second UL RS, a first phase offset for transmission of a first downlink (DL) RS to a user equipment (UE),

wherein the second UL RS is associated with a second BS,

wherein the first phase offset of the first DL RS is relative to a second DL RS associated with the second BS,

wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

transmit the first DL RS with the first phase offset, and

receive, from the UE, feedback associated with the first DL RS and the second DL RS, and

wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based on the first phase offset and the received feedback, for a DL data transmission to the UE, a second phase offset between transmissions of the first BS and the second BS.

2 . The first BS of claim 1 , wherein to determine the first phase offset:

the transceiver is further configured to receive a number of iterations of the first UL RS; and

the processor is further configured to:

determine a first channel estimate based on measurement of the number of iterations of the first UL RS,

determine a phase ratio between the first BS and the second BS based on the first channel estimate and a second channel estimate, wherein the second channel estimate is based on a number of iterations of the second UL RS associated with the second BS, and

determine the first phase offset based on the phase ratio.

3 . The first BS of claim 1 , wherein to determine the second phase offset:

the transceiver is further configured to:

transmit a first number of iterations of the first DL RS; and

receive, from the UE, a number of feedback iterations including feedback associated with (i) the first number of iterations of the first DL RS and (ii) a second number of iterations of the second UL RS that is associated with the second BS, respectively; and

the processor is further configured to:

modify, based on the number of feedback iterations, the first phase offset in one or more of the first number of iterations, and

determine the second phase offset based on the modification of the first phase offset and the received number of feedback iterations.

4 . The first BS of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a next phase offset for transmission of a next iteration of the first number of iterations of the first DL RS based on (i) a previous phase offset of a previous iteration of the first number of iterations of the first DL RS and (ii) an estimate of a quantization error associated with a UE reported phase offset associated with the previous iteration.

5 . The first BS of claim 1 , wherein the feedback is based on the first DL RS from the first BS and the second DL RS from the second BS virtualized as a multiple transmit antenna port transmission from a single BS.

6 . The first BS of claim 1 , wherein:

the transceiver is further configured to:

transmit a first calibration signal to the second BS, and

receive a second calibration signal from the second BS; and

the processor is further configured to:

estimate, based on the second calibration signal, a channel between the first BS and the second BS; and

determine, based on the channel estimate, a common phase offset between transmissions from the first BS and the second BS.

7 . The first BS of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to verify the common phase offset based on applying the common phase offset for reception of a sounding RS (SRS) from the UE.

8 . A user equipment (UE) comprising:

a transceiver configured to:

transmit an uplink (UL) reference signal (RS),

receive a first downlink (DL) RS from a first base station (BS), and

receive a second DL RS from a second BS, wherein the DL RS has a first phase offset relative to the second DL RS and wherein the first phase offset is associated with the UL RS; and

a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to determine, based on the first DL RS and a second DL RS, feedback associated with the first DL RS and the second DL RS,

wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

transmit the feedback, and

receive a DL data transmission based on signals from the first BS and the second BS, respectively, wherein the signal from the first BS has a second phase offset relative to the signal from the second BS and wherein the second phase offset is associated with the feedback.

9 . The UE of claim 8 , wherein:

the transceiver is further configured to transmit a number of iterations of the UL RS, and

the first phase offset is based on a phase ratio between the first BS and the second BS associated with the number of iterations of the UL RS.

10 . The UE of claim 8 , wherein:

the transceiver is further configured to:

receive a first number of iterations of the first DL RS; and

receive a second number of iterations of the first DL RS; and

transmit a number of feedback iterations including feedback associated with (i) the first number of iterations of the first DL RS and (ii) the second number of iterations of the second UL RS, respectively;

the first phase offset in one or more of the first number of iterations is modified based on the number of feedback iterations; and

the second phase offset is based on the modification of the first phase offset and the number of feedback iterations.

11 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein a next phase offset for a next iteration of the first number of iterations of the first DL RS based on (i) a previous phase offset of a previous iteration of the first number of iterations of the first DL RS and (ii) an estimate of a quantization error associated with a UE reported phase offset associated with the previous iteration.

12 . The UE of claim 8 , wherein the feedback is based on the first DL RS from the first BS and the second DL RS from the second BS virtualized as a multiple transmit antenna port transmission from a single BS.

13 . The UE of claim 8 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a sounding RS (SRS) for verification of a common phase offset between the first BS and the second BS.

14 . A method performed by a first base station (BS), the method comprising:

receiving a first uplink (UL) reference signal (RS);

determining, based on the first UL RS and a second UL RS, a first phase offset for transmission of a first downlink (DL) RS to a user equipment (UE), wherein the second UL RS is associated with a second BS and wherein the first phase offset of the first DL RS is relative to a second DL RS associated with the second BS;

transmitting the first DL RS with the first phase offset;

receiving, from the UE, feedback associated with the first DL RS and the second DL RS; and

determining, based on the first phase offset and the received feedback, for a DL data transmission to the UE, a second phase offset between transmissions of the first BS and the second BS.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein determining the first phase offset further comprises:

receiving a number of iterations of the first UL RS;

determining a first channel estimate based on measurement of the number of iterations of the first UL RS;

determine a phase ratio between the first BS and the second BS based on the first channel estimate and a second channel estimate, wherein the second channel estimate is based on a number of iterations of the second UL RS associated with the second BS; and

determining the first phase offset based on the phase ratio.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein determining the second phase offset further comprises:

transmitting a first number of iterations of the first DL RS;

receiving, from the UE, a number of feedback iterations including feedback associated with (i) the first number of iterations of the first DL RS and (ii) a second number of iterations of the second UL RS that is associated with the second BS, respectively;

modifying, based on the number of feedback iterations, the first phase offset in one or more of the first number of iterations; and

determining the second phase offset based on the modification of the first phase offset and the received number of feedback iterations.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising determining a next phase offset for transmission of a next iteration of the first number of iterations of the first DL RS based on (i) a previous phase offset of a previous iteration of the first number of iterations of the first DL RS and (ii) an estimate of a quantization error associated with a UE reported phase offset associated with the previous iteration.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the feedback is based on the first DL RS from the first BS and the second DL RS from the second BS virtualized as a multiple transmit antenna port transmission from a single BS.

19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

transmitting a first calibration signal to the second BS;

receiving a second calibration signal from the second BS;

estimating, based on the second calibration signal, a channel between the first BS and the second BS; and

determining, based on the channel estimate, a common phase offset between transmissions from the first BS and the second BS.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising verifying the common phase offset based on applying the common phase offset for reception of a sounding RS (SRS) from the UE.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2023
From: ZHANG, JIANZHONG; LI, YANG; LEE, GILWON; HU, YEQING; ABU-SURRA, SHADI; RAHMAN, MD. SAIFUR
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 063872/0786 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63395637 · Aug 5, 2022
Provisional Application 63394898 · Aug 3, 2022
Related Publication 20240048191A1 · Feb 8, 2024
References Cited (36)
US 9565646B1 · Pearson et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10644812B2 · Yoo et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11133875B2 · Wang et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11411778B2 · Chen et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11879988B2 · Kumar · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20040130485A1 · Rapoport · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20150207597A1 · Zhao et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20170339658A1 · Wang et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180167903A1 · Fan et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180302866A1 · Zhang et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180317186A1 · Fan et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190141649A1 · Hu et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190349033A1 · Fakoorian et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200076483A1 · Zhang et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200177331A1 · Fehrenbach et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210289383A1 · Marinier et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220014956A1 · Rahman et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220123977A1 · Jiang · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20230421426A1 · Schidl · 2023 [cited by examiner]
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued Sep. 19, 2023 regarding International Application No. PCT/KR2023/008648, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
Nokia et al., “CSI enhancement for high/medium UE velocities and CJT”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #109-e, R1-2204540, May 2022, 30 pages. [cited by applicant]
InterDigital, Inc., “Enhanced SRS Operation”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #109-e, R1-2203382, May 2022, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
“3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels and modulation (Release 16)”, 3GPP TS 36.211 V16.4.0, Dec. … [cited by applicant]
“3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Multiplexing and channel coding (Release 16)”, 3GPP TS 36.212 V16.4.0, Dec. 2… [cited by applicant]
“LTE; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Physical layer procedures (3GPP TS 36.213 version 16.4.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 136 213 V16.4.0, Feb. 2021, 577 pages. [cited by applicant]
“3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification (Release 16)”, 3GPP TS 36.… [cited by applicant]
“LTE; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (3GPP TS 36.331 version 16.3.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 136 331 V16.3.0, Jan. 2021, 1089 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Physical channels and modulation (3GPP TS 38.211 version 16.4.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 211 V16.4.0, Jan. 2021, 137 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Multiplexing and channel coding (3GPP TS 38.212 version 16.4.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 212 V16.4.0, Jan. 2021, 155 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Physical layer procedures for control (3GPP TS 38.213 version 16.4.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 213 V16.4.0, Jan. 2021, 185 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Physical layer procedures for data (3GPP TS 38.214 version 16.4.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 214 V16.4.0, Jan. 2021, 173 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Physical layer measurements (3GPP TS 38.215 version 16.4.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 215 V16.4.0, Jan. 2021, 31 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification (3GPP TS 38.321 version 16.3.0 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 321 V16.3.0, Jan. 2021, 158 pages. [cited by applicant]
“5G; NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (3GPP TS 38.331 version 16.3.1 Release 16)”, ETSI TS 138 331 V16.3.1, Jan. 2021, 916 pages. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report issued May 13, 2025 regarding Application No. 23850252.0, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
Qualcomm Incorporated, “OTA calibration for multi-TRP transmission”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 RAN1 #89, R1-1708585, May 2017, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]