Abstract: An apparatus includes an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna array includes one or more grouping of the plurality of antenna elements, configured to provide: a first configuration in which the one or more grouping of antenna elements supports at least transmission of a signal according to a first antenna system; and a second configuration in which the one or more grouping of antenna elements supports at least reception of a signal according to a second antenna system. The first antenna system includes a Single Input, Single Output antenna system or Multiple Input, Multiple Output antenna system. The second antenna system includes a Single Input, Single Output antenna system or Multiple Input, Multiple Output antenna system. An array of antenna elements can support different modes of operation, for example, different Multiple Input, Multiple Output modes or Multiple Input, Multiple Output and Single Input, Single Output modes.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments described may provide a reconfigurable antenna apparatus and method of alignment of such a reconfigurable antenna apparatus. The apparatus may comprise antenna apparatus components reconfigurable between: a mode of operation which supports a radio communication beam having a first beamwidth; and a mode of operation which supports a radio communication beam having a second beamwidth. The first beamwidth may be several times the width of the second beamwidth. Aspects and embodiments recognise that such a reconfigurable antenna apparatus may support efficient alignment methods in which a first, coarse, alignment scan may be performed across a broad field of view, and the results of that alignment scan can be used to allow a finer second scan within a reduced field of view determined by the first scan.

Abstract: Method for managing a wireless passive optical network, including a plurality of access points, APs, and a plurality of customer premises equipments, CPEs. The method includes configuring an AP to CPE association based on a load balancing algorithm such that each CPE is associated with at least one AP; configuring for each AP an AP beamforming codebook based on the configured association, wherein the AP beamforming codebook includes entries, wherein each entry is representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted by the AP, and wherein the AP beamforming codebook includes for each CPE associated with the AP—a line of sight, LoS, entry representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted to the respective CPE via a LoS path; and at least one back-up entry representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted to the respective CPE via a back-up path different from the LoS path.

Abstract: Method for managing a wireless passive optical network, including a plurality of access points, APs, and a plurality of customer premises equipments, CPEs. The method includes configuring an AP to CPE association based on a load balancing algorithm such that each CPE is associated with at least one AP; configuring for each AP an AP beamforming codebook based on the configured association, wherein the AP beamforming codebook includes entries, wherein each entry is representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted by the AP, and wherein the AP beamforming codebook includes for each CPE associated with the AP—a line of sight, LoS, entry representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted to the respective CPE via a LoS path; and at least one back-up entry representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted to the respective CPE via a back-up path different from the LoS path.