Beamforming for cell edge capacity improvement in a heterogeneous network
US8494533B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/70
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to providing a method of improving data rates in a heterogeneous network which is composed of macro cells and pico cells. User equipment is connected to the network via a macro base station serving a macro cell or a low power node serving a pico cell. A signal strength indicator is received from one or more UEs located in a macro cell and adjacent one or more pico cell. The location of a UE within a region of a macro cell or a pico cell is identified according to the signal strength indicator. Then, a weak coverage area of macro cell is identified according to the signal strength indicator and a beam forming antenna of a macro base station serving the macro cell where the UE is located, is directed to steer the antenna beam to an area of the cell requiring an improved signal strength indicator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.