Abstract: A method 1400 by at least one RE of a network node includes performing a channel quality estimation, a calculation of at least one BFW, and a port reduction with respect to input data and/or an input signal. The RE transmits, to a REC, measurement information associated with the channel quality estimation, the calculation of the at least one BFW, and the port reduction.

Abstract: A first network node (360, 2300) can be a part of a communications network that includes a second network node communicatively coupled to the first network node via a fronthaul interface and that includes a communication device communicatively coupled to the first network node. The first network node can generate (830) first data associated with an uplink signal received from the communication device. The first network node can further generate (840) second data associated with the uplink signal received from the communication device. The first network node can prioritize (850, 860) transmission of the first data to the second network node via the fronthaul interface over transmission of the second data to the second network node via the fronthaul interface.

Abstract: A network node, computer program product, and a method by a network node to allocate at least two beams in a slot to schedule multiple user equipments, UEs, are provided. Each UE is allocated to a baseband port of a plurality of baseband ports such that there is more than one UE allocated to each baseband port. For each baseband port of the plurality of baseband ports: the baseband port is mapped to a polarization of an antenna having multiple polarizations and to one beam of a plurality of beams. The polarization of a baseband port is switched in a time domain to create time diversity of services towards the multiple UEs, wherein a UE is subject to a first polarization for a subset of time occasions and to a second polarization for other time occasions.

Abstract: A network node, computer program product, and a method by a network node to allocate at least two beams in a slot to schedule multiple user equipments, UEs, are provided. Each UE is allocated to a baseband port of a plurality of baseband ports such that there is more than one UE allocated to each baseband port. For each baseband port of the plurality of baseband ports: the baseband port is mapped to a polarization of an antenna having multiple polarizations and to one beam of a plurality of beams. The polarization of a baseband port is switched in a time domain to create time diversity of services towards the multiple UEs, wherein a UE is subject to a first polarization for a subset of time occasions and to a second polarization for other time occasions.

Abstract: An Advanced Antenna System (AAS) receiver and related methods are provided. According to one aspect an AAS receiver comprises a digital processing block of a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC). The digital processing block comprises an interface for communicating with a Central Unit (CU), and a plurality of Antenna Signal Processing Blocks (ASPBs), each receiving a digitized receive signal from a respective antenna element of an antenna array. Each ASPB comprises one or more receivers, each of which receives and processes the signal from the respective antenna element. Some receivers within the ASPB beamform the respective processed signal to produce one or more data streams to be sent to the CU. Other receivers within the ASPB provide the respective processed signal to a processing block that buffers the processed signal and sends it to the CU at a later time, e.g., when traffic to the CU is relatively lower.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for controlling transmission from an antenna panel. The method is performed by a network apparatus. A method comprises performing time-domain beamformed communication with terminal devices served by the network apparatus using the antenna panel split into N>1 subpanels. Each subpanel has two input ports and is fed, via the input ports, by signals and configured to generate beams by application of antenna element weights to its antenna elements. The subpanels are at least phase-wise synchronized with each other. When one and the same signal is fed into the input ports of all the subpanels, signals as transmitted from the subpanels add up coherently to represent a 1-layer transmission by a time reference being shared between the subpanels.

Abstract: There is provided a method for adjusting beam gain in a radio network node comprising a plurality of antenna elements. The radio network node is configured with a codebook comprising a plurality of predetermined precoding matrices. The method comprises: determining a direction from the radio network node to a target wireless device, and a configured beam gain value in the determined direction; adapting one or more of the plurality of predetermined precoding matrices to generate an adapted precoding matrix in which the beam gain is maximal in the determined direction and equal to or less than the configured beam gain value; and applying the adapted precoding matrix to signals output to the plurality of antenna elements for transmission to the target wireless device.

Abstract: A method for time-domain allocation of radio resources in a communication system using beamforming comprises obtaining of a list of wireless devices to be served. Subcarriers and beam directions of a multi-directional beamform are allocated to wireless devices of the list. The beam direction for each wireless device covers a position of that wireless device. The number of allocable subcarriers is limited to fulfil a beam-forming power constraint. This beam-forming power constraint is that the total power of allocated subcarriers, when each allocated subcarrier provides a same effective isotropic radiated power density for a wireless device as would be provided by a single-directional beamform, is within a predetermined power budget.

Abstract: An Advanced Antenna System (AAS) receiver and related methods are provided. According to one aspect an AAS receiver comprises a digital processing block of a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC). The digital processing block comprises an interface for communicating with a Central Unit (CU), and a plurality of Antenna Signal Processing Blocks (ASPBs), each receiving a digitized receive signal from a respective antenna element of an antenna array. Each ASPB comprises one or more receivers, each of which receives and processes the signal from the respective antenna element. Some receivers within the ASPB beamform the respective processed signal to produce one or more data streams to be sent to the CU. Other receivers within the ASPB provide the respective processed signal to a processing block that buffers the processed signal and sends it to the CU at a later time, e.g., when traffic to the CU is relatively lower.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient scheduling of Random Access Channel (RACH) occasions in a cellular communications system are provided. In one embodiment, a method performed by a base station comprises transmitting Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) on respective transmit beams in accordance with a beam sweeping scheme. The SSBs are mapped to one or more RACH occasions in accordance with an N-to-1 mapping scheme where N is greater than 1. The method further comprises, for each RACH occasion, processing receive signals from at least a subset of antenna elements in an antenna array of the base station using respective narrowband receivers, thereby providing narrowband receive signals, and performing, based on the narrowband receive signals, random access preamble detection for multiple beam directions that correspond to at least a subset of the transmit beams on which at least a subset of the SSBs to which the RACH occasion is mapped were transmitted.

Abstract: An Advanced Antenna System (AAS) receiver and related methods are provided. According to one aspect an AAS receiver comprises a digital processing block of a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC). The digital processing block comprises an interface for communicating with a Central Unit (CU), and a plurality of Antenna Signal Processing Blocks (ASPBs), each receiving a digitized receive signal from a respective antenna element of an antenna array. Each ASPB comprises one or more receivers, each of which receives the signal from the respective antenna element, processes the received signal, and beamforms the processed signal to produce one or more data streams to be sent to the CU. Each ASPB also includes a narrowband receiver that processes an input signal (either the signal received from the respective antenna element or that signal after processing) to create a narrowband signal that is provided to the CU directly, without beamforming.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for controlling transmission from an antenna panel. The method is performed by a network apparatus. A method comprises performing time-domain beamformed communication with terminal devices served by the network apparatus using the antenna panel split into N>1 subpanels. Each subpanel has two input ports and is fed, via the input ports, by signals and configured to generate beams by application of antenna element weights to its antenna elements. The subpanels are at least phase-wise synchronized with each other. When one and the same signal is fed into the input ports of all the subpanels, signals as transmitted from the subpanels add up coherently to represent a 1-layer transmission by a time reference being shared between the subpanels.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for determining average total transmission power for an antenna array configured for beamformed transmission within an angular coverage region. A method is performed by a control device. The method comprises determining bin-wise values of beamforming gain for a set of non-overlapping bins collectively covering the angular coverage region of the antenna array. The method comprises obtaining values of total transmission power of the beamformed transmission. The method comprises determining bin-wise values of average transmission power from the bin-wise values of beamforming gain and the values of total transmission power. The method comprises combining the bin-wise values of average transmission power into one value of average total transmission power for the antenna array.

Abstract: There is provided a method for adjusting beam gain in a radio network node comprising a plurality of antenna elements. The radio network node is configured with a codebook comprising a plurality of predetermined precoding matrices. The method comprises: determining a direction from the radio network node to a target wireless device, and a configured beam gain value in the determined direction; adapting one or more of the plurality of predetermined precoding matrices to generate an adapted precoding matrix in which the beam gain is maximal in the determined direction and equal to or less than the configured beam gain value; and applying the adapted precoding matrix to signals output to the plurality of antenna elements for transmission to the target wireless device.

Abstract: A method for time-domain allocation of radio resources in a communication system using beamforming comprises obtaining of a list of wireless devices to be served. Subcarriers and beam directions of a multi-directional beamform are allocated to wireless devices of the list. The beam direction for each wireless device covers a position of that wireless device. The number of allocable subcarriers is limited to fulfil a beam-forming power constraint. This beam-forming power constraint is that the total power of allocated subcarriers, when each allocated subcarrier provides a same effective isotropic radiated power density for a wireless device as would be provided by a single-directional beamform, is within a predetermined power budget.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating at least two cross coupled antenna element groups in an antenna array, calibrating (S1) the antenna elements within each group of antenna elements. Further, in a respective calibration transceiver in each group, measuring (S2) a coupled signal within each group and a cross-coupled signal originating in another of the at least two groups. In addition, determining (S3) a respective relative phase and amplitude difference between said at least two groups based on the measured coupled signal and said cross-coupled signal, and determining (S4) the true phase and amplitude difference between the at least two groups based on the determined respective relative phase and amplitude differences. Finally, calibrating (S5) the at least two antenna groups based on the determined true phase and amplitude difference.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for determining average total transmission power for an antenna array configured for beamformed transmission within an angular coverage region. A method is performed by a control device. The method comprises determining bin-wise values of beamforming gain for a set of non-overlapping bins collectively covering the angular coverage region of the antenna array. The method comprises obtaining values of total transmission power of the beamformed transmission. The method comprises determining bin-wise values of average transmission power from the bin-wise values of beamforming gain and the values of total transmission power. The method comprises combining the bin-wise values of average transmission power into one value of average total transmission power for the antenna array.

Abstract: A multilayer belt structure that can be used for creping or structuring a cellulosic web in a tissue making process. The multilayer belt structure allows for the formation of various shaped and sized openings in the top surface of the belt, while still providing a structure having the strength, durability, and flexibility required for tissue making processes.

Abstract: There is presented mechanisms for providing information for determining beamforming weights or decoding user data for terminal devices. A method is performed by an RE of an access node. The RE has an interface to an REC of the access node. The method comprises obtaining information from the terminal devices to be used by the REC for determining the beamforming weights or decoding the user data. The method comprises selecting, according to a selection criterion, a part of the information to be provided to the REC in order for the REC to determine the beamforming weights or decode the user data based on the selected part of the information. The method comprises providing the selected part of the information to the REC over the interface.

Abstract: There is presented mechanisms for providing information for determining beamforming weights or decoding user data for terminal devices. A method is performed by an RE of an access node. The RE has an interface to an REC of the access node. The method comprises obtaining information from the terminal devices to be used by the REC for determining the beamforming weights or decoding the user data. The method comprises selecting, according to a selection criterion, a part of the information to be provided to the REC in order for the REC to determine the beamforming weights or decode the user data based on the selected part of the information. The method comprises providing the selected part of the information to the REC over the interface.