BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to wireless communications and more particularly to probing and beam scheduling in a multi-user scenario.

Description of the Related Art

Directional transmission patterns (a.k.a. narrow beams) are the key to wireless communications in millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands which suffer from high path loss and severe shadowing. In addition, the propagation channel in mmWave frequencies incorporates only a few number of spatial clusters requiring a procedure to align the corresponding narrow beams with the Angle of Departure (AoD) of the channel clusters.

SUMMARY

According to aspects of the present invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for finding a data transmission beam from an Access Point (AP) to a User Equipment (UE) in a communication system. The method includes selecting a probing beam from a set of probing beams. The method further includes sending a plurality of probing packets from the AP to the UE using a dedicated probing beam selected for each probing packet from among the set of probing beams. The method also includes receiving feedback from the UE regarding the plurality of probing packets. The method additionally includes computing the data transmission beam based on the received feedback and the set of probing beams.

According to other aspects of the present invention, a computer program product is provided for finding a data transmission beam from an Access Point (AP) to a User Equipment (UE) in a communication system. The computer program product includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method. The method includes selecting a probing beam from a set of probing beams. The method further includes sending a plurality of probing packets from the AP to the UE using a dedicated probing beam selected for each probing packet from among the set of probing beams. The method also includes receiving feedback from the UE regarding the plurality of probing packets. The method additionally includes computing the data transmission beam based on the received feedback and the set of probing beams.

According to yet other aspects of the present invention, a computer processing system is provided for finding a data transmission beam from an Access Point (AP) to a User Equipment (UE) in a communication system. The system includes a memory device for storing program code. The system further includes a hardware processor operatively coupled to the memory device for running the program code to select a probing beam from a set of probing beams. The hardware processor further runs the program code to send a plurality of probing packets from the AP to the UE using a dedicated probing beam selected for each probing packet from among the set of probing beams. The hardware processor also runs the program code to receive feedback from the UE regarding the plurality of probing packets. The hardware processor additionally runs the program code to compute the data transmission beam based on the received feedback and the set of probing beams.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

