Multiantenna adaptive modulation with beamforming based on bandwidth-constrained feedback

Adaptive modulation has the potential to increase system throughput considerably by adapting transmission parameters to the time-varying channel characteristics. Crucial to adaptive systems is the requirement of a feedback channel, that is often capable of carrying only a limited number of bits. Under such a bandwidth-constrained feedback link, we aim to optimize a multiantenna system based on transmit beamforming and adaptive modulation, where the transmit power, the signal constellation, the beamforming direction, and the feedback strategy, are designed jointly. Our proposed nested iterative approach leads to an approximate, yet practical, solution. Simulation results demonstrate considerable improvement in transmission rate, as the number of feedback bits increases.