Network mimo reporting, control signaling and transmission

Abstract

A coordinated multipoint transmitter is for use with a network MIMO super-cell and includes a coordination unit configured to provide joint link processing to coordinate a multipoint transmission corresponding to a set of transmission points. Additionally, the coordinated multipoint transmitter also includes a transmission unit configured to transmit the multipoint transmission using the set of transmission points. Additionally, a coordinated transmission receiver is for use with a network MIMO super-cell and includes a reception unit configured to receive a multipoint transmission corresponding to a set of transmission points. The coordinated transmission receiver also includes a processing unit configured to process the multipoint transmission from the set of transmission points.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coordinated multipoint transmitter for use with a network MIMO super-cell, comprising:
 a coordination unit configured to provide joint link processing to coordinate a multipoint transmission corresponding to a set of transmission points; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit the multipoint transmission using the set of transmission points.   
     
     
         2 . The transmitter as recited in  claim 1  wherein the multipoint transmission corresponds to the set of transmission points selected from the group consisting of:
 a statically configured set; 
 a semi-statically configured set; and 
 a dynamically configured set. 
 
     
     
         3 . The transmitter as recited in  claim 1  wherein the joint link processing provides a joint link adaptation for a portion of the set of transmission points that is based on CQI, PMI or RI feedback from user equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The transmitter as recited in  claim 1  wherein the joint link processing provides uplink and downlink signaling for a portion of the set of transmission points that is based on CQI, PMI or RI feedback from user equipment. 
     
     
         5 . The transmitter as recited in  claim 1  wherein the joint link processing provides different multipoint transmissions or a same multipoint transmission for a portion of the set of transmission points. 
     
     
         6 . A method of operating a coordinated multipoint transmitter for use with a network MIMO super-cell, comprising:
 providing joint link processing to coordinate a multipoint transmission corresponding to a set of transmission points; and   transmitting the multipoint transmission using the set of transmission points.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the multipoint transmission corresponds to the set of transmission points selected from the group consisting of:
 a statically configured set; 
 a semi-statically configured set; and 
 a dynamically configured set. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the joint link processing provides a joint link adaptation for a portion of the set of transmission points that is based on CQI, PMI or RI feedback from user equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the joint link processing provides uplink and downlink signaling for a portion of the set of transmission points that is based on CQI, PMI or RI feedback from user equipment. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the joint link processing provides different multipoint transmissions or a same multipoint transmission for a portion of the set of transmission points. 
     
     
         11 . A coordinated transmission receiver for use with a network MIMO super-cell, comprising:
 a reception unit configured to receive a multipoint transmission corresponding to a set of transmission points; and   a processing unit configured to process the multipoint transmission from the set of transmission points.   
     
     
         12 . The receiver as recited in  claim 11  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide joint or separate CQI, PMI or RI feedback information to a portion of the set of transmission points. 
     
     
         13 . The receiver as recited in  claim 11  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide CQI, PMI or RI control information to a portion of the set of transmission points in orthogonal resources using one selected from the group consisting of:
 time division multiplexing; 
 frequency division multiplexing; and 
 code division multiplexing. 
 
     
     
         14 . The receiver as recited in  claim 11  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide uplink information corresponding to the set of transmission points selected from the group consisting of:
 a statically configured set; 
 a semi-statically configured set; and 
 a dynamically configured set. 
 
     
     
         15 . The receiver as recited in  claim 11  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide semi-static switching between full cell, dynamic cell or semi-static cell cooperation modes of operation. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a coordinated transmission receiver for use with a network MIMO super-cell, comprising:
 receiving a multipoint transmission corresponding to a set of transmission points; and   processing the multipoint transmission from the set of transmission points.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide joint or separate CQI, PMI or RI feedback information to a portion of the set of transmission points. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide CQI, PMI or RI control information to a portion of the set of transmission points in orthogonal resources using one selected from the group consisting of:
 time division multiplexing; 
 frequency division multiplexing; and 
 code division multiplexing. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide uplink information corresponding to the set of transmission points selected from the group consisting of:
 a statically configured set; 
 a semi-statically configured set; and 
 a dynamically configured set. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein the multipoint transmission is processed to provide semi-static switching between full cell, dynamic cell or semi-static cell cooperation modes of operation.