HK1224094B - Method, apparatus and computer readable medium for transmission point indication in coordinated multi-point system - Google Patents

Description

Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for transmission point indication in a coordinated multipoint system

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/556,109, filed on November 4, 2011, entitled “ADVANCED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of communications; and more particularly, to transmission point indication in a wireless communication network.

Background Art

Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) systems have been developed to improve various operating parameters in wireless networks. In CoMP systems utilizing dynamic point selection (DPS), transmission points can be selected from multiple nodes (e.g., base stations) in a CoMP measurement set. Transmission points can be dynamically assigned by the serving node. However, because user equipment (UE) does not know the identity or characteristics of the current transmission point, it is necessary to mute the Common Reference Signal (CRS, also known as Cell-Specific Reference Signal) locations across all nodes in the CoMP measurement set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, like reference numerals refer to like structural elements. In the figures of the accompanying drawings, the embodiments are described by way of example and not by way of limitation.

FIG1 schematically illustrates a wireless communication network in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG2 is a configuration table according to various embodiments.

FIG3 is a flow chart illustrating a transmission point indication method that may be performed by a user equipment according to various embodiments.

FIG4 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission point indication method that may be performed by a base station according to various embodiments.

FIG5 schematically illustrates an example system in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, methods, systems, and apparatus for transmission point indication in a coordinated multi-point (CoMP) system of a wireless communication network.

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly used by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that multiple alternative embodiments may be implemented utilizing only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations are provided to facilitate a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have been omitted or simplified so as not to obstruct understanding of the illustrative embodiments.

Furthermore, various operations are described as multiple discrete operations in sequence in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the illustrative embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed as implying that these operations are necessarily order-dependent. In particular, these operations do not necessarily have to be performed in the order presented.

The phrase "in some embodiments" is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may. The terms "including," "having," and "comprising" are synonymous unless the context indicates otherwise. The phrase "A and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). The phrase "A/B" means (A), (B), or (A and B), similar to the phrase "A and/or B." The phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C). The phrase "(A)B" means (B) or (A and B), i.e., A is optional.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments shown and described may be replaced by a wide variety of alternative and/or equivalent implementations without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that the embodiments of the present disclosure be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term "module" may refer to part of or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped) and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit that provides the described functionality, and/or other suitable components.

FIG1 schematically illustrates a wireless communication network 100 according to various embodiments. The wireless communication network 100 (hereinafter referred to as “network 100”) may be an access network of a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, such as an Evolved Universal Telecommunications Network (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The network 100 may include a base station (e.g., an enhanced node base station (eNB) 104) configured to wirelessly communicate with a user equipment (UE) 108.

At least initially, eNB 104 may have an established wireless connection with UE 108 and may operate as a serving node within the CoMP system. The CoMP measurement set may also include one or more additional eNBs of network 100, such as eNBs 112 and 116. eNBs 112 and 116 may be configured to facilitate wireless communications with UE 108 by coordinating with eNB 104. The one or more additional eNBs may be collectively referred to as "coordinating nodes." An eNB may transition between the coordinating node role and the serving node role.

The serving node and the coordinating node may communicate with each other via a wireless connection and/or a wired connection (eg, a high-speed fiber optic backhaul connection).

The eNBs may each have approximately the same transmission power capability as one another, or alternatively, some eNBs may have relatively lower transmission power capabilities. For example, in one embodiment, eNB 104 may be a relatively high-power base station, such as a macro eNB, while eNBs 112 and 116 may be relatively low-power base stations, such as pico eNBs and/or femto eNBs.

UE 108 may include at least a communication module 120, a mapping module 124, and a memory 132 coupled to one another as shown. Communication module 120 may also be coupled to one or more of a plurality of antennas 132 of UE 108 for wireless communications over network 100.

UE 108 may include any number of suitable antennas. In various embodiments, UE 108 may include at least as many antennas as the number of simultaneous spatial layers or streams that UE 108 receives from the eNB, although the scope of the present disclosure may not be limited in this respect. The number of simultaneous spatial layers or streams may also be referred to as the transmission rank or simply rank.

One or more of antennas 132 may be used alternately as transmit or receive antennas. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of antennas 132 may be dedicated receive antennas or dedicated transmit antennas.

In various embodiments, the communication module 120 may receive common reference signal (CRS) parameters associated with individual base stations in a CoMP measurement set (e.g., eNBs 104, 112, and/or 116). For example, the CRS parameters may include an index associated with each base station in the CoMP measurement set, a number of CRS antenna ports, and/or a CRS frequency shift. These parameters may vary between base stations in the CoMP measurement set and may be used by the communication module 120 to accurately and efficiently identify relevant CRS transmissions.

FIG2 illustrates a CRS configuration table 200 containing various CRS parameters, according to some embodiments. CRS configuration table 200 (hereinafter referred to as "table 200") may be stored in memory 128 and accessible by mapping module 124. A transmission point index may be a value subsequently used in communications indicating which node is the scheduled transmission point. A CRS antenna port may be the antenna port of a base station through which a CRS transmission is transmitted, and may be virtual or physical. In some embodiments, the number of CRS antenna ports may be 1, 2, or 4. A CRS frequency shift may be a cell-specific frequency shift (e.g., in terms of the number of subcarriers) that may be used to avoid constant collocation of reference signals from different cells. In some embodiments, the CRS frequency shift may be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

In some embodiments, the CRS parameters may also include information related to the number and/or location of resource elements (e.g., subcarriers and/or OFDM symbols) of OFDM frames dedicated to control information and/or multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) information for individual base stations in the CoMP measurement set. Resource elements used for control information and/or MBSFN subframes may not contain CRS.

In some embodiments, UE 108 may store the received CRS parameters in memory 128. UE 108 may retain these CRS parameters for as long as UE 108 is associated with the CoMP measurement set and/or for another suitable length of time.

After configuring table 200 with the appropriate CRS parameters, communication module 120 may receive transmission point indices corresponding to base stations of a CoMP measurement set scheduled for communication with UE 108 (e.g., according to a dynamic point selection (DPS) protocol). Mapping module 124 may then access the CRS parameters corresponding to the received transmission point indices and generate a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) mapping pattern based on the CRS parameters of the scheduled base station. The PDSCH mapping pattern may be used for subsequent communications with the scheduled base station. For example, the PDSCH mapping pattern may identify the location (e.g., resource elements) of the CRS in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame transmitted by the scheduled base station. These resource elements may correspond to one or more subcarriers and/or OFDM symbols in an OFDM frame. Accordingly, the PDSCH mapping pattern may be specifically customized for the scheduled base station.

In some embodiments, CRS parameters may be transmitted to the UE 108 by a serving base station (e.g., eNB 104). In some embodiments, these CRS parameters may be transmitted to the UE 108 via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The CRS parameters may be transmitted during CoMP measurement set configuration for the UE 108 (e.g., as part of a CoMP measurement set configuration protocol). The CoMP measurement set configuration protocol may also include configuration of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) parameters and/or uplink control channel parameters for channel state information (CSI) feedback. Accordingly, the UE 108 may receive and/or transmit one or more CSI-RS parameters and/or uplink control channel parameters as part of the CoMP measurement set configuration protocol.

In various embodiments, the communication module 120 may receive the transmission point index via physical layer signaling. For example, in one embodiment, the transmission point index may be included in downlink control information (DCI), e.g., via a downlink control channel. This may allow for dynamic communication of relevant CRS parameters and dynamic switching of various transmission points in the DPS protocol. The DCI may also include other parameters used to schedule communications between the UE 108 and one or more base stations.

The transmission point index may identify a base station (e.g., a transmission point) scheduled for communication (e.g., transmission on a PDSCH) with UE 108 in the CoMP measurement set. For example, the transmission point index may include one or more bits corresponding to the scheduled base station. In some embodiments, a small number of bits may be required to identify the scheduled base station. For example, if the CoMP measurement set includes two base stations, the transmission point index may include one bit, and/or if the CoMP measurement set includes three or four base stations, the transmission point index may include two bits. In other embodiments, the transmission point index may include the same number of bits regardless of the number of base stations included in the CoMP measurement set. It will be apparent that other suitable mechanisms for identifying the scheduled base stations may be used.

In some embodiments, the transmission point index may be transmitted by the scheduled base station. For example, eNB 104 may transmit a transmission point index to UE 108 that identifies eNB 104 as the scheduled base station. In other embodiments, the transmission point index may be transmitted by a base station different from the scheduled base station. For example, eNB 104 may transmit a transmission point index to UE 108 that identifies eNB 112 as the scheduled base station.

The mapping module 124 may use the transmission point index to identify the CRS parameters corresponding to the scheduled base station (e.g., from the memory 128). The mapping module 124 may generate a PDSCH mapping pattern based on the CRS parameters of the scheduled base station. For example, the number of CRS antenna ports of the scheduled base station may be used to identify the resource elements (e.g., subcarriers and/or OFDM symbols) of the OFDM frame dedicated for CRS transmission. The CRS frequency shift may be specific to the scheduled base station and may be used to identify the CRS position (e.g., resource element) of the OFDM frame of the scheduled base station.

The communication module 120 may then receive one or more transmissions from the scheduled base station, the transmissions comprising an OFDM frame with a plurality of CRSs. The CRSs may be arranged in the OFDM frame according to a PDSCH mapping pattern.

In various embodiments, transmission points (eg, scheduled base stations) may be dynamically assigned. UE 108 may receive additional transmission point indices if the identities of the scheduled base stations change and/or periodically at any suitable timing interval.

eNB 104 may include a communication module 136 and a CoMP management module 140 coupled to each other, at least as shown. Communication module 136 may also be coupled to one or more of a plurality of antennas 152 of eNB 104. Communication module 136 may communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive) with one or more UEs (e.g., UE 108). In various embodiments, eNB 104 may include at least as many antennas as the number of simultaneous transmission streams transmitted to UE 108, although the scope of the present disclosure may not be limited in this respect. One or more of antennas 152 may be used alternately as transmit or receive antennas. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of antennas 152 may be dedicated receive antennas or dedicated transmit antennas. CoMP management module 140 may communicate (e.g., via communication module 136) CRS parameters associated with individual base stations in the CoMP measurement set, as described above.

Although not explicitly shown, eNBs 112 and 116 may include modules/components similar to those of eNB 104 .

The transmission point indication as described herein may enable the UE 108 to know which base station of the CoMP measurement set is scheduled as the transmission point for the UE 108 (e.g., according to the DPS protocol). In addition, the UE 108 may know the CRS parameters associated with the scheduled transmission point and may thereby generate a PDSCH mapping pattern specifically tailored to the scheduled base station.

In a DPS system, demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) antenna ports can be dynamically assigned to a base station for transmission. The base station can apply the same precoding scheme (e.g., spatial and/or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) precoding scheme) to the DM-RS as it does on the PDSCH. Accordingly, the UE does not need to know the identity of the transmission point in order to receive the DM-RS to decode the PDSCH transmission. However, different base stations may have different numbers of CRS ports and/or may have CRS frequency shifts that depend on the identity of the base station. Accordingly, the CRS configuration (e.g., the placement of the CRS within the PDSCH transmission) may vary from base station to base station.

In existing CoMP systems, to enable DPS, the CRS locations of all base stations in the CoMP measurement set can be muted in the PDSCH. However, this approach requires high overhead due to unused resources in the PDSCH. In addition, muting the CRS locations may negatively impact legacy UEs (e.g., UEs that are not capable of CoMP communication) that perform interference measurements on the CRS. For example, a legacy UE that performs interference measurements on the CRS locations may not receive interference from other base stations (because the other base stations muted the CRS locations). Accordingly, the legacy UE may generate interference measurements that do not accurately measure the interference from other base stations. This may lead to incorrect modulation and coding decisions, which in turn may result in increased bit errors and/or decreased throughput for the legacy UE.

In contrast, the transmission point indication described herein enables the UE to know the CRS parameters of the base station scheduled to transmit to the UE. The UE can thus generate a PDSCH mapping pattern specifically tailored to the scheduled base station. The base station's transmission does not require muting the CRS positions of other base stations in the CoMP measurement set. This can save overhead caused by unused resources for all UEs associated with the base station in the CoMP measurement set (e.g., CoMP-capable UEs and non-CoMP-capable legacy UEs). Furthermore, transmission point indication can avoid affecting CRS interference measurements by legacy UEs.

FIG3 illustrates a transmission point indication method 300 according to various embodiments. The transmission point indication method 300 may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 108). In some embodiments, the UE may include and/or have access to one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause the UE to perform the method 300.

At block 304, the UE may receive CRS parameters via RRC signaling. The CRS parameters may be associated with an individual base station of a CoMP measurement set comprising a plurality of base stations. In some embodiments, the CRS parameters may include the number of CRS antenna ports and/or CRS frequency shifts of the individual base stations of the CoMP measurement set. The UE may receive these CRS parameters as part of a CoMP configuration protocol. The CoMP configuration protocol may also include configuring an uplink control channel and CSI-RS parameters for CSI-RS feedback. Accordingly, in addition to the CRS parameters, the UE may also receive one or more CSI-RS parameters and/or uplink control channel parameters via RRC signaling. The UE may store the received CRS parameters in a memory.

At block 308, the UE may receive a transmission point index via the DCI. The transmission point index may correspond to a scheduled base station in the CoMP measurement set that is scheduled to communicate with the UE (eg, scheduled as a transmission point for the UE).

At block 312, the UE may generate a PDSCH mapping pattern based on the received CRS parameters associated with the scheduled base station. The PDSCH mapping pattern may be used for subsequent communications between the UE and the scheduled base station. For example, the UE may receive a transmission comprising an OFDM frame from the scheduled base station on the PDSCH. The OFDM frame may include multiple CRSs arranged within the frame according to the PDSCH mapping pattern.

4 illustrates a transmission point indication method 400 that may be performed by a base station (eg, eNB 104) according to various embodiments. The base station may be a serving node in a CoMP measurement set that includes multiple base stations.

At block 404, the base station may transmit CRS parameters to the base station via RRC signaling. The CRS parameters may include the number of CRS antenna ports and/or CRS frequency shifts for individual base stations in the CoMP measurement set. The base station may transmit these CRS parameters as part of a CoMP configuration protocol. The CoMP configuration protocol may also include configuring an uplink control channel and CSI-RS parameters for CSI-RS feedback.

The base station may be pre-configured to know the CRS parameters of multiple base stations in the CoMP measurement set. Alternatively or additionally, the base station may receive the CRS parameters of one or more base stations from the corresponding base station. In some embodiments, the base station may store the CRS parameters of multiple base stations in a memory.

In some embodiments, a CoMP management module may determine which base stations to include in a CoMP measurement set. The CoMP management module may be included in the base station and/or in another location (e.g., in a core network including the base station). In some embodiments, the CoMP measurement set may be different for different UEs within a cell covered by the base station.

At block 408, the CoMP management module may determine which base station of the CoMP measurement set will be the scheduled base station for the UE. The scheduled base station may be determined based on any suitable factors, such as channel conditions, relative loads on the base stations, relative powers of the base stations, and/or other factors.

At block 412, the base station may transmit a transmission point index to the UE via DCI. The transmission point index may identify a scheduled base station that is scheduled as a CoMP measurement set transmission point for the UE. The scheduled base station may then transmit a PDSCH signal to the UE. In some embodiments, the transmission point index may be transmitted by the scheduled base station. In other embodiments, the transmission point index may be transmitted by another base station that is not the scheduled base station.

The UE 108 described herein can be implemented using any suitable hardware and/or software system configured as desired. For one embodiment, FIG5 illustrates an example system 500 that includes one or more processors 504, a system memory 508 coupled to at least one processor 504, a system memory 512 coupled to system control logic 508, a non-volatile memory (NVM)/storage device 516 coupled to system control logic 508, a network interface 520 coupled to system control logic 508, and an input/output (I/O) device 532 coupled to system control logic 508.

The processor 504 may include one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor 504 may include any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors (eg, graphics processors, application processors, baseband processors, etc.).

System control logic 508 for one embodiment may include any suitable interface controller to provide any suitable interface to the at least one processor 504 and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with system control logic 508 .

System control logic 508 for one embodiment may include one or more memory controllers to provide an interface to system memory 512. System memory 512 may be used to load and store, for example, data and/or instructions for system 500. System memory 512 for one embodiment may include any suitable volatile memory, such as a suitable dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

NVM/storage 516 may include one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media for storing, for example, data and/or instructions. NVM/storage 516 may include any suitable non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, and/or may include any suitable non-volatile storage devices, such as one or more hard disk drives (HDDs), one or more compact disk (CD) drives, and/or one or more digital versatile disk (DVD) drives.

NVM/storage 516 may include storage resources that are physically part of, but not necessarily part of, a device on which system 500 is installed or through which system 500 is accessible. For example, NVM/storage 516 may be accessed over a network via network interface 520 and/or through input/output (I/O) devices 532.

System memory 512 and NVM/storage 516 may, respectively, specifically include temporary and permanent copies of mapping logic 524. Mapping logic 524 may include instructions that, when executed by at least one processor 504, cause system 500 to implement a mapping module (e.g., mapping module 124) to perform the PDSCH mapping operations described herein. In some embodiments, mapping logic 524 or its hardware, firmware, and/or software may additionally or alternatively be located in system control logic 508, in network interface 520, and/or in processor 504.

The network interface 520 may include a transceiver 522 to provide a radio interface for the system 500 to communicate on one or more networks and/or with any other suitable devices. The transceiver 522 may implement the communication module 120. In various embodiments, the transceiver 522 may be integrated with other components of the system 500. For example, the transceiver 522 may include a processor such as the processor 504, a memory such as the system memory 512, and an NVM/storage device such as the NVM/storage device 516. The network interface 520 may include any suitable hardware and/or firmware. The network interface 520 may include multiple antennas to provide a multiple-input, multiple-output radio interface. The network interface 520 of one embodiment may include, for example, a network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a telephone modem, and/or a wireless modem.

For one embodiment, the at least one processor 504 may be packaged together with the logic for one or more controllers of the system control logic 508. For one embodiment, the at least one processor 504 may be packaged together with the logic for one or more controllers of the system control logic 508 to form a system-in-package (SiP). For one embodiment, the at least one processor 504 may be integrated with the logic for one or more controllers of the system control logic 508 on the same die. For one embodiment, the at least one processor 504 may be integrated with the logic for one or more controllers of the system control logic 508 on the same die to form a system-on-chip (SoC).

In various embodiments, the I/O device 532 may include a user interface designed to enable user interaction with the system 500, a peripheral component interface designed to enable peripheral component interaction with the system 500, and/or a sensor designed to determine environmental conditions and/or location information related to the system 500.

In various embodiments, the user interface may include, but is not limited to, a display (e.g., an LCD display, a touch screen display, etc.), a speaker, a microphone, one or more cameras (e.g., a still camera and/or a video camera), a flash (e.g., an LED flash), and a keyboard.

In various embodiments, the peripheral component interface may include, but is not limited to, a non-volatile memory port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an audio jack, and a power interface.

In various embodiments, sensors may include, but are not limited to, gyroscope sensors, accelerometers, proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, and positioning units. The positioning unit may also be part of or interact with network interface 520 to communicate with components of a positioning network, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite.

In various embodiments, the system 500 may be a mobile computing device such as, but not limited to, a laptop computing device, a tablet computing device, a netbook, a smartphone, etc. In various embodiments, the system 500 may have more or fewer components and/or a different architecture.

In some embodiments, an apparatus, such as a UE, is described that includes a communication module configured to receive CRS parameters associated with individual base stations of a CoMP measurement set comprising a plurality of base stations, and receive a transmission point index corresponding to a first base station of the CoMP measurement set. The UE may also include a mapping module coupled to the communication module and configured to generate a PDSCH mapping pattern based on the CRS parameters associated with the first base station.

In some embodiments, the communication module may be further configured to use the CRS parameters associated with the first base station for subsequent communications with the first base station.

In some embodiments, the CRS parameters and the transmission point index may be received from the second base station of the CoMP measurement set. In other embodiments, the CRS parameters may be received from the second base station, and the transmission point index may be received from the first base station.

In some embodiments, CRS parameters may be received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. A transmission point index may be received via physical layer signaling (e.g., the transmission point index may be included in downlink control information). CRS parameters may include the number of CRS antenna ports and/or the CRS frequency shift for an individual base station. In some embodiments, CRS parameters may also include information related to OFDM resource elements of control information dedicated to an individual base station. In yet other embodiments, CRS parameters may also include MBSFN information for an individual base station. In some embodiments, CRS parameters may be received as part of a configuration protocol for a CoMP measurement set. The configuration protocol may also include uplink control channel parameters and CSI-RS parameters configured for communication between a user equipment and one or more base stations in the CoMP measurement set.

In some embodiments, the communication module may be further configured to receive a transmission from the first base station, the transmission comprising an OFDM frame having a plurality of CRSs. The CRSs may be arranged within the frame according to a PDSCH mapping pattern.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a memory configured to store the received CRS parameters.

In some embodiments, an apparatus, such as a base station (e.g., an eNB), is described as including a communication module and a CoMP management module coupled to the communication module and configured to transmit, via the communication module, CRS parameters associated with individual base stations of a CoMP measurement set comprising a plurality of base stations to a UE.

In some embodiments, the CoMP management module may be further configured to transmit a transmission point index to the UE. The transmission point index may correspond to the first base station scheduled to communicate with the UE in the CoMP measurement set. In some embodiments, the scheduled base station may transmit the transmission point index. In other embodiments, a base station other than the scheduled base station may transmit the transmission point index.

In some embodiments, the base station may be a serving node in a CoMP measurement set configured to manage communications between the UE and a plurality of base stations in the CoMP measurement set.

In some embodiments, CRS parameters may include the number of CRS antenna ports and/or CRS frequency shift for an individual base station. These CRS parameters may be communicated via radio resource control signaling. The transmission point index may be communicated to the UE in a downlink control information transmission. In some embodiments, the CRS parameters may be communicated as part of a configuration protocol for a CoMP measurement set. The configuration protocol may also include configuring uplink control channel parameters and channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) parameters for communication between the UE and one or more base stations in the CoMP measurement set.

In various embodiments, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by a UE via radio resource signaling, CRS parameters associated with an individual base station of a CoMP measurement set comprising a plurality of base stations; receiving, by the UE via downlink control information transmission, a transmission point index corresponding to a first base station of the Coordinated Multipoint Measurement Set; and generating a PDSCH mapping pattern based on the CRS parameters associated with the first base station.

In various embodiments, one or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon are disclosed that, when executed, cause a user equipment to receive CRS parameters associated with an individual base station in a CoMP measurement set comprising a plurality of base stations, the CRS parameters including the number of CRS antenna terminals of the individual base station; receive a transmission point index corresponding to a first base station in the Coordinated Multipoint Measurement Set; and generate a PDSCH mapping pattern based on the CRS parameters associated with the first base station.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described for illustrative purposes, a wide variety of alternative and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is apparent that the embodiments described herein are intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (35)

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Multiple parameter sets are received via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the individual parameter sets of the multiple parameter sets include the number of Common Reference Signal (CRS) antenna ports and the CRS frequency shift; The detection includes downlink control information (DCI) used to indicate one of the individual parameter sets; The individual parameter set is identified by the 2-bit index; and Receive Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmissions based on the individual parameter set of the identifier. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a PDSCH resource element (RE) mapping mode based on the individual parameter set of the identifier, and wherein PDSCH transmissions are received based on the PDSCH RE mapping mode. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual parameter set further includes information relating to the number or location of REs dedicated to Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) information. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual parameter set further includes one or more Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) parameters. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter set is associated with different transmission points of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the DCI is detected after the plurality of parameter sets are received via the RRC signaling. 7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the plurality of parameter sets are received from a first transmission point, and wherein the DCI is received from a second transmission point different from the first transmission point. 8. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: Multiple parameter sets are transmitted to the user equipment (UE) via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, wherein the individual parameter sets of the multiple parameter sets include the number of common reference signal (CRS) antenna ports and the CRS frequency shift; Transmit downlink control information (DCI) to the UE, including a 2-bit index indicating one of the individual parameter sets; and The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is transmitted to the UE based on the indicated set of individual parameters. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the PDSCH based on the indicated individual parameter set comprises: providing a PDSCH resource element (RE) mapping mode to the PDSCH according to the indicated individual parameter set. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the individual parameter set further includes information relating to the number or location of REs dedicated to Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) information. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the individual parameter set further includes one or more Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) parameters. 12. The method of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the parameter set is associated with different transmission points of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 13. The method of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the 2-bit index is transmitted after the plurality of parameter sets are transmitted. 14. An apparatus used by a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: A memory for storing multiple parameter sets, wherein the individual parameter sets of the multiple parameter sets include the number of common reference signal (CRS) antenna ports and the CRS frequency shift; A communication circuit coupled to the memory, the communication circuit being used for: Receive a downlink control information (DCI) message that includes an indication of a first parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets; A mapping circuit coupled to the memory, the mapping circuit being used for: The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) Resource Element (RE) mapping mode is determined based on the first parameter set; and The PDSCH transmission is received based on the determined PDSCH RE mapping mode. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of parameter sets comprises four parameter sets, and wherein the indication is represented by two bits. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the individual parameter set further includes information relating to the number or location of REs dedicated to Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) information. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the individual parameter set further comprises one or more Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) parameters. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the parameter set is associated with different transmission points of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 19. The apparatus of any one of claims 14-18, wherein the plurality of parameter sets are received from a first transmission point, and wherein the DCI message is received from a second transmission point different from the first transmission point. 20. The apparatus of any one of claims 14-18, wherein the apparatus receives the plurality of parameter sets via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. 21. An apparatus used by a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: A component for receiving multiple parameter sets via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the individual parameter sets of the multiple parameter sets include the number of Common Reference Signal (CRS) antenna ports and the CRS frequency shift; Components for detecting downlink control information (DCI), including a 2-bit index indicating one of the individual parameter sets; Components for identifying the individual parameter set indicated by the 2-bit index; and A component used to receive Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmissions based on an individual set of identifiers. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a component for determining a PDSCH resource element (RE) mapping mode based on the individual parameter set of the identifier, and wherein a PDSCH transmission is received based on the PDSCH RE mapping mode. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the individual parameter set further includes information relating to the number or location of REs dedicated to Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) information. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the individual parameter set further comprises one or more Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) parameters. 25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the parameter set is associated with different transmission points of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the DCI is detected after the plurality of parameter sets are received via the RRC signaling. 27. The apparatus of any one of claims 21-26, wherein the plurality of parameter sets are received from a first transmission point, and wherein the DCI is received from a second transmission point different from the first transmission point. 28. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-7. 29. An apparatus used by a base station, the apparatus comprising: A component for transmitting multiple parameter sets to a user equipment (UE) via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, wherein individual parameter sets of the multiple parameter sets include the number of common reference signal (CRS) antenna ports and the CRS frequency shift; Components for transmitting downlink control information (DCI) to the UE, including a 2-bit index indicating one of the individual parameter sets; and A component for transmitting the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) to the UE based on an indicated set of individual parameters. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the component for transmitting the PDSCH based on the indicated individual parameter set includes a component for providing a PDSCH resource element (RE) mapping mode to the PDSCH according to the indicated individual parameter set. 31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the individual parameter set further includes information relating to the number or location of REs dedicated to Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) information. 32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the individual parameter set further comprises one or more Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) parameters. 33. The apparatus of any one of claims 29-32, wherein the parameter set is associated with different transmission points of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 34. The apparatus of any one of claims 29-32, wherein the 2-bit index is transmitted after the plurality of parameter sets are transmitted. 35. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform the method according to any one of claims 8-13.