Abstract:
Transmit point (TP) associations can be assigned to user equipments (UEs) by including a TP association variable within a sum-utility function traditionally used for computing beamforming weight vector assignments. Accordingly, maximization of the sum-utility function obtains both TP associations and beamforming weight vector assignments. Additionally, the sum-utility function may be computed in accordance with channel statistics, rather than channel state information (CSI), thereby reducing coordinated multi-point transmission (CoMP) related overhead.