Abstract: A method, performed in a network node, for channel characteristics handling for an antenna array in a communication system. The antenna array has a plurality of antenna elements. The method includes obtaining geometrical relationships between any pair of antenna elements in a spatial layout of the antenna array. All pairs of antenna elements are classified into sets based on the obtained geometrical relationships, wherein all pairs of antenna elements in a set have substantially equal geometrical relationship in the spatial layout. The method includes determining a representation of channel characteristics as P(?), wherein argument ? is a vector of elements, each element relating to a magnitude and/or phase of covariance between the antenna elements in the set, and P is a mapping function based on the classifying. Antenna characteristics are processed based on the representation P(?).

Abstract: A method, performed in a network node, for channel characteristics handling for an antenna array in a communication system. The antenna array has a plurality of antenna elements. The method includes obtaining geometrical relationships between any pair of antenna elements in a spatial layout of the antenna array. All pairs of antenna elements are classified into sets based on the obtained geometrical relationships, wherein all pairs of antenna elements in a set have substantially equal geometrical relationship in the spatial layout. The method includes determining a representation of channel characteristics as P(?), wherein argument ? is a vector of elements, each element relating to a magnitude and/or phase of covariance between the antenna elements in the set, and P is a mapping function based on the classifying. Antenna characteristics are processed based on the representation P(?).