Channel Sounding Using Multiple Sounding Configurations

Abstract

More than one set of sounding signal configuration parameters are determined for the same mobile terminal. The mobile terminal uses the sets of configuration parameters to generate different sounding reference signals which can be used for different purposes such as estimating timing and channel quality. In one embodiment, a method of configuring uplink sounding transmissions by mobile terminals in a wireless communication network is characterized by determining different sets of configuration parameters for sounding signal transmissions for a given mobile terminal. The different sets of configuration parameters are transmitted to the mobile terminal, allowing the mobile terminal to generate different sounding signals for different uses by the wireless communication network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of configuring uplink sounding transmissions by mobile terminals in a wireless communication network, the method implemented by a base station in the wireless communication network, the method comprising:
 determining different sets of configuration parameters for sounding signal transmissions for a given mobile terminal; and   transmitting the different sets of configuration parameters to the mobile terminal, thereby enabling the mobile terminal to generate different sounding signals for different uses by the wireless communication network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining different sets of configuration parameters includes determining a first sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a first set of configuration parameters and a second sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a second set of configuration parameters, such that the mobile terminal can generate a relatively narrowband sounding signal according to the first set of configuration parameters and generate a relatively wideband sounding signal according to the second set of configuration parameters. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second sounding signal bandwidth parameters including transmission frequency parameters, and configuring the transmission frequency parameters such that the mobile terminal transmits the relatively narrowband sounding signal more frequently than it transmits the relatively wideband sounding signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising establishing or otherwise defining different priorities for the different sets of configuration parameters, thereby allowing the mobile terminal to determine which set of configuration parameters should be used if a sounding signal transmission conflict occurs. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the mobile terminal configured to transmit a first sounding signal at first times according to a first set of configuration parameters and a second sounding signal at second times according a second set of configuration parameters, and establishing or otherwise defining priorities for the different sets of configuration parameters comprises establishing or otherwise defining whether the first or second sounding signal is to be transmitted for a case where the first and second times coincide. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising transmitting the different priorities from the wireless communication network to the mobile terminal. 
     
     
         7 . A base station comprising a baseband processor configured to:
 determine different sets of configuration parameters for sounding signal transmissions for a given mobile terminal; and   transmit the different sets of configuration parameters to the mobile terminal, thereby enabling the mobile terminal to generate different sounding signals for different uses by the base station.   
     
     
         8 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the baseband processor is configured to determine a first sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a first set of configuration parameters and a second sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a second set of configuration parameters, such that the mobile terminal can generate a relatively narrowband sounding signal according to the first set of configuration parameters and generate a relatively wideband sounding signal according to the second set of configuration parameters. 
     
     
         9 . The base station of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second sounding signal bandwidth parameters including transmission frequency parameters, and the baseband processor is configured to set the transmission frequency parameters such that the mobile terminal transmits the relatively narrowband sounding signal more frequently than it transmits the relatively wideband sounding signal. 
     
     
         10 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the baseband processor is further configured to establish or otherwise define different priorities for the different sets of configuration parameters, thereby allowing the mobile terminal to determine which set of configuration parameters should be used if a sounding signal transmission conflict occurs. 
     
     
         11 . The base station of  claim 10 , wherein the baseband processor is configured to establish first sounding signal transmission times for a first set of configuration parameters and second sounding signal transmission times for a second set of configuration parameters, and to establish or otherwise define whether the first or second set of configuration parameters has a higher priority when the first and second sounding signal transmission times coincide. 
     
     
         12 . The base station of  claim 11 , wherein the baseband processor is further configured to transmit the different priorities to the mobile terminal. 
     
     
         13 . A method of configuring uplink sounding transmissions by a given mobile terminal, the method implemented by the given terminal and comprising:
 receiving different sets of configuration parameters for sounding signal transmissions for the mobile terminal; and   generating different sounding signals by the mobile terminal based on the different sets of configuration parameters.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein receiving different sets of configuration parameters includes receiving a first sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a first set of configuration parameters and a second sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a second set of configuration parameters. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 generating a relatively narrowband sounding signal according to the first set of configuration parameters; and   generating a relatively wideband sounding signal according to the second set of configuration parameters.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the relatively narrowband sounding signal is generated more frequently than the relatively wideband sounding signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining which set of configuration parameters should be used when a sounding signal transmission conflict occurs. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein determining which set of configuration parameters should be used is based on different received priorities for the different sets of configuration parameters. 
     
     
         19 . A mobile terminal comprising a baseband processor configured to:
 receive different sets of configuration parameters for sounding signal transmissions for the mobile terminal; and   generate different sounding signals based on the different sets of configuration parameters.   
     
     
         20 . The mobile terminal of  claim 19 , wherein the baseband processor is configured to receive a first sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a first set of configuration parameters and a second sounding signal bandwidth parameter for a second set of configuration parameters. 
     
     
         21 . The mobile terminal of  claim 20 , wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:
 generate a relatively narrowband sounding signal according to the first set of configuration parameters; and   generate a relatively wideband sounding signal according to the second set of configuration parameters.   
     
     
         22 . The mobile terminal of  claim 21 , wherein the baseband processor is further configured to generate the relatively narrowband sounding signal more frequently than the relatively wideband sounding signal. 
     
     
         23 . The mobile terminal of  claim 19 , wherein the baseband processor is further configured to determine which set of configuration parameters should be used when a sounding signal transmission conflict occurs. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile terminal of  claim 23 , wherein the baseband processor is further configured to determine which set of configuration parameters should be used based on different received priorities for the different sets of configuration parameters.