Downlink channel covariance matrix (DCCM) estimation and its applications in wireless DS-CDMA systems

The downlink channel covariance matrix (DCCM) is of vital importance in determining downlink beamforming weights for base station (BS) antenna array systems. For the frequency-division-duplex (FDD) mode, DCCM is difficult to obtain due to a lack of direct measurement of downlink channel responses. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed for estimating DCCM using uplink channel responses only, which does not need direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation and its association. The downlink beamforming scheme is then proposed for wireless DS-CDMA systems, using the obtained DCCM information together with the so-called virtual uplink beamforming and power control technique. Computer simulations show that using the BS antenna array together with this new beamforming technique can provide larger system capacity than traditional DOA-based approaches, which just direct the main beam toward the desired user.