A novel approach to consider spatial user information for scheduling in 3G mobile communication systems

So far, spatial multiplexing techniques in terms of smart antennas or beamforming have been applied independently from time multiplexing schemes or packet scheduling in third generation (3G) mobile communication systems. Time multiplexing schemes or packet scheduling algorithms are used for transmission of delay tolerant data such as E-mail and download services. With the application of beamforming techniques a joint evaluation opportunity arises. This paper introduces a novel approach to jointly evaluate beamforming and scheduling in a two step algorithm. The algorithm is applied to a single site scenario within 3G boundary conditions in order to demonstrate the effects. Joined evaluation shows significant gains over separate evaluation of beamforming and packet scheduling.