Spatial Transmit Processing using Long-Term Channel Statistics and Pilot Signaling on Selected Antennas

In wireless high performance systems utilizing smart antenna transmission techniques, increased pilot signaling becomes problematic when more transmit antennas are added. Herein, we propose a scheme where the pilot signaling is restricted to a subset of the transmit antennas, and the total signal strength of these antennas is fed back to the transmitter. This potentially reduces the required pilot signaling and feedback so it becomes comparable to that of single antenna systems. By combining the feedback with channel statistics, known to the transmitter, substantial spatial information is gained. Herein, this information is used to develop elaborate scheduling and beamforming techniques.