Method and a network node for handling estimated signal properties in a wireless communications network

Abstract

A method performed by a first network node (120) is provided. The method is for handling estimated signal properties of a signal between a second network node (110) and the first network node (120) in a wireless communications network. The first network node (120) configures (401) at least a first and a second indication. The indications relate to signals in a channel used by the second network node (110). The first indication comprises information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication comprises information of a second type of antenna system. The first network node (120) receives (402) from the second network node (110) a signal in the channel. The signal comprises any one out of the first or the second indication. The first network node (120) estimates (403), signal properties of the received signal and determines (404) whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated signal properties, and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND A NETWORK NODE FOR HANDLING ESTIMATED SIGNAL

[0002] PROPERTIES IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] Embodiments herein relate generally to a first network node and a method therein. In particular they relate to handling estimated signal properties of a signal between a second network node and the first network node.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and / or User Equipment (UE), communicate via a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network such as a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network comprising a Radio Access Network (RAN) part and a Core Network (CN) part. The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a Wi-Fi access point, a Base Station (BS) or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a BS, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNodeB (gNB) as denoted in Fifth Generation (5G) telecommunications. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over an air interface operating on a radio frequency with the wireless devices within the range of the radio network node.

[0007] 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is the standardization body for specifying the standards for the cellular system evolution, e.g., including 3G, 4G, 5G and the future evolutions. Specifications for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E- UTRA) and Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP. In 4G also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network, EPS is core network and E-UTRA is radio access network. In 5G, 5G Core (5GC) is core network, NR is radio access network. As a continued network evolution, the new release of 3GPP specifies a 5G network also referred to as 5G New Radio (NR) and 5GC.

[0008] Frequency bands for 5G NR are being separated into two different frequency ranges, Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and Frequency Range 2 (FR2). FR1 comprises sub-6 GHz frequency bands. Some of these bands are bands traditionally used by legacy standards but have been extended to cover potential new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. FR2 comprises frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Bands in this millimeter wave range have shorter range but higher available bandwidth than bands in the FR1.

[0009] Multi-antenna techniques may significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. For a wireless connection between a single user, such as UE, and a base station (BS), the performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication channel. This may be referred to as Single-User (SU)-MIMO. In the scenario where MIMO techniques is used for the wireless connection between multiple users and the base station, MIMO enables the users to communicate with the base station simultaneously using the same time-frequency resources by spatially separating the users, which increases further the cell capacity. This may be referred to as Multi-User (MU)-MIMO.

[0010] It is a problem that it is needed to set up an active call, which in turn needs a SIM card and a subscription, in order to stipulate the information during a call setup to determine if a signal is coming from a non-Advanced Antenna System (AAS) or an AAS base station. This is complicated and most likely not even easily possible. The information on a scaling factor is not available even if an active call is set up. This problem will be explained more in detail below.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] An object of embodiments herein is to improve the performance of a wireless communications network.

[0013] According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a first network node. The method is for handling estimated signal properties of a signal between a second network node and the first network node in a wireless communications network. The first network node configures at least a first and a second indication. The indications relate to signals in a channel used by the second network node. The first indication comprises information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication comprises information of a second type of antenna system. The first network node receives from the second network node a signal in the channel. The signal comprises any one out of the first or the second indication. The first network node estimates, signal properties of the received signal and determines whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated signal properties, and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal.

[0014] According to another aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a first network node. The first network node is configured to handle estimated signal properties of a signal between a second network node and the first network node in a wireless communications network The first network node is further configured to:

[0015] - Configure at least a first and a second indication. The indications are related to signals in a channel adapted to be used by the second network node. The first indication is adapted to comprise information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication is adapted to comprise information of a second type of antenna system.

[0016] - Receive from the second network node, a signal in the channel. The signal is adapted to comprise any one out of the first or the second indication,

[0017] - Estimate signal properties of the received signal.

[0018] - Determine whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated channel properties, and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal.

[0019] Embodiments herein may provide one or more of the following advantages:

[0020] Embodiments herein enable that a third party is capable of understanding and mapping measurement results related to different antenna systems such as a first antenna system or a second antenna system, e.g., a non-AAS or AAS BS. E.g., trigger values are different for non-AAS and AAS BS, e.g. for cross-border and maximum allowed field strength values. E.g., without the information in the measurement the party doing the measurement needs to contact the operator and ask for every BS signal or ID detected if it belongs to a first or a second antenna system, e.g., a non-AAS or AAS BS.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to attached drawings in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic overview illustrating an embodiment herein Figure 2 is a diagram depicting an embodiment herein. Figure 3 is a schematic overview illustrating embodiments of a communications network.

[0024] Figure 4 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method in a first network node.

[0025] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed in a first network node.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a network node.

[0027] Figure 7 schematically illustrates embodiments of a communication system.

[0028] Figure 8 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a UE.

[0029] Figure 9 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a network node.

[0030] Figure 10 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a virtualization environment.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] As part of developing embodiments herein, the inventors identified some problems with prior art that first will be further described below.

[0033] For spectrum sharing, co-channel or adjacent channels a method is needed to differentiate between interference from non-AAS or AAS base stations.

[0034] In spectrum licensing, in order to protect other operators or non-IMT services using the same band, i.e. , co-channel operation, maximum field strength values are defined for base stations. Examples are:

[0035] - Cross-border maximum allowed field strength values along a country’s borderlines are defined, e.g. in European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) countries as defined in Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) Recommendation (15)01 for the for the 3.4-3.8 GHz band as described in the document “Cross-border coordination for Mobile / Fixed Communications Networks (MFCN) in the frequency bands: 694-790 MHz, 1427-1518 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz’’ for the 3.4-3.8 GHz band" or in order to protect operators’ operation in different countries using the same band as illustrated in Figure 1 , which is a further developed illustration from ECC Report 331.

[0036] - Local area networks with maximum field strength value at the border of the local area in order to reuse spectrum in different local areas and limit complicated spectrum planning, e.g. in the German national license for 3.7-3.8 GHz, Reference: BK1 -17 / 001. - To protect other services, ground fixed radar or satellite services from interference within the band or adjacent.

[0037] An operator and / or company owning a license needs to follow the requirements and plan the network and / or BSs accordingly. The applicable limits may depend on whether the BS is declared to be an AAS or a conventional BS (non-AAS). The reason why different limits might apply is that an AAS will perform beamforming with random beam directions e.g., from the point of view of a victim, whereas a non-AAS has a fixed and static beam pattern, and hence the statistical impact of the interference may differ, see e.g. ECC Recommendation (14)04, “Cross-border coordination for mobile / fixed communications networks (MFCN) and between MFCN and other systems in the frequency band 2300-2400 MHz” for 2300 cross-border Recommendation. National administrations may or will check that the license holder does not violate the maximum field strength values along such border lines, using typically network spectrum analysers or network scanners which can measure the field strength (calculated from the voltage received by the device and the antenna factor), determine the BS ID, distinguish between e.g. Long Term Evolution (LTE) and NR signal and decoding the (SIB1) broadcast message, e.g. demodulation of 4G / 5G signals. The spectrum analyser can be a wideband multi-task instrument or software in mobile terminals able to measure within the spectrum or band of interest, e.g., measure field strength and demodulate the cellular signal. The network spectrum analyser will not be able to determine directly if the BS which may cause interference has been declared as a non-AAS or AAS BS, even if AAS may contain, in some configurations, additional information regarding beam sweeping and the SSB indexes for each beam, e.g., Synchronization Signal Block, i.e., in Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel (SS / PBCH) block, for NR. For NR the broadcast channel may be beamformed or non-beamformed whereas for LTE the broadcast channels are always non-beamformed. It is up to the vendor to implement fixed wide- beam or multi-beam for broadcast in NR.

[0038] Coverage measurement and / or minimum data rate obligations may be connected to the license requirements that may depend on whether the BS is an AAS or a non-AAS. Administrations and / or third parties may perform testing relating to these obligations in the network. For AAS the broadcasting and actual data-transmission in connected mode are decoupled in opposite to non-AAS. For coverage measurements with a spectrum analyser, similar to the cross-border case described above, there is no direct information if the signal is from non-AAS or AAS. National administrations need to be able with simple means to distinguish if interference is coming from a non-AAS or an AAS BS without the need to contact the operator or setting up an actual call within the mobile network. The operator information may e.g., not be easily available as in national cross-border situations. Different maximum field strength values at the border are set for non-AAS and AAS as e.g., described in ECC Recommendation (14)04, “Cross-border coordination for mobile / fixed communications networks (MFCN) and between MFCN and other systems in the frequency band 2300- 2400 MHz”. The measurement should be supported with a simple spectrum analyser and by this analysing the broadcast channel. For AAS a secondary problem is to estimate the field strength for the data channel from the broadcast channel. More details on these problems are outlined below.

[0039] Operators may especially at FR1 frequencies, i.e. 1710-7125 MHz, use a mixture of non-AAS and AAS BSs in their network, e.g., when regulators need to make measurements for interference investigation reasons. For the field-strength value the field strength during actual data transmissions is of interest. Examples of these actual data transmissions are active mode and busy hour, which should be either directly measured in the data channel, e.g., RBs, or estimated from the broadcast channel e.g., in idle mode. The following problems with respect to the field-strength value are:

[0040] - For AAS the broadcast channel and data channel are decoupled from the beamforming antenna gain. The SSB antenna gain is static, but the antenna gain relation to the data channel is unknown for a third party doing the measurement and therefore estimating field strength of data channel from broadcast channel is difficult.

[0041] - Measuring the field strength at the data-channel for AAS is difficult for a third-party with spectrum analyser at a defined border as the beam changes randomly over time and space with AAS and the spectrum analyser does not know the direction of beams scheduled to individual users.

[0042] - For non-AAS the two problems for AAS as described in the two bullets above do not exist but as the third party doing the measurement does or does not know directly from the measurements if the BS which causes interference is from non-AAS or AAS, they will not be able to map the measured field strength values and / or measure correctly over space and time.

[0043] - For both non-AAS and AAS the field strength value for the active transmission will fluctuate over time due to traffic demand and BS switching on or off. The maximum field strength estimation over the broadcast channel will make it more consistent and independent of ongoing traffic in the network.

[0044] - Vendors may implement different NR SSB schemes with static number of beams or non-beam usage.

[0045] Figure 2 is an example from ECC Report 308, “Analysis of the suitability and update of the regulatory technical conditions for 5G MFCN and AAS operation in the 2500-2690 MHz band’ showing the interference level, e.g., interfering Received Signal Strength (iRSS) in a data channel, at Radio Astronomy Station (RAS) from non-AAS and AAS at 60 km separation. In the Swedish licenses (PTS Spektrummarknadsavdelningen document Dnr: 08-417 (2008, May 8)) for the 2600 MHz cellular band a protection field value for RAS, e.g., adjacent band, not to be exceed for 0.1% of time is given. For AAS there is a distribution for the iRSS whereas there is a fixed value for non-AAS. The non- AAS field strength value may also change over time due to path propagation loss changes. Knowing if the interference is coming from non-AAS or AAS BS would help to understand the measurement time needed to get meaningful statistical data.

[0046] Thus, an object of embodiments herein is to improve the performance of a wireless communications network, by distinguishing immediately during measurement time if the signal comes from a non-AAS or AAS system in a wireless communications network.

[0047] Example embodiments herein provide methods for determining during field strength measurement in a broadcast channel if a signal is transmitted from a first or a second type of antenna system, e.g., a non-AAS or AAS network node, also referred to as BS. If the signal is from an AAS network node, extra new broadcast info may give the antenna gain scaling difference between a broadcast channel and a data channel.

[0048] According to some embodiments a third party may understand and map the measurement results to a first or a second type of antenna system, e.g. a non-AAS or AAS network node. E.g., the trigger values are different for non-AAS and AAS, e.g. for cross-border and maximum allowed field strength values, see e.g., ECC Recommendation (14)04, “Cross-border coordination for mobile / fixed communications networks (MFCN) and between MFCN and other systems in the frequency band 2300- 2400 MHz". The information in the measurement the party doing the measurement overcomes the needs to contact the operator and ask for every BS signal or ID detected if it belongs to a non-AAS or AAS network node .

[0049] Methods herein are simple and efficient in embodiments where such additional and potentially binary information is implemented in the broadcast SIB1 message or in a new broadcast message known to test equipment to decode information in idle mode. This may be performed by adding an indication in the broadcast SIB1. The indication in the signal may be added in order to detect directly if the signal relates to non-AAS or AAS. By further adding an algorithm which may indirectly detect, decode and memorize broadcast information related to beamforming like SSB beam will give at least the possibility to indicate what kind on antenna system that is used. More information during active connection may be obtained from the connected mode signalling towards the user. The beam will also be steered towards the UE in that case for AAS. Steering towards a UE when used herein, e.g. means beamformed transmission enabled by AAS. The broadcast channel may need to still be used for estimating the maximum field strength in the data channel as the network node may serve other UEs during the measurement which may result in unclear field strength results.

[0050] The antenna gain scaling factor between a data and broadcast channel is vendor AAS specific and is needed to more accurately calculate the field strength from a broadcast channel measurement. If the broadcast receiver signal strength is measured for e.g., SSB, the level may be scaled to a level equivalent to Downlink Dedicated Physical Channel (DPCH) data. This may be performed by scaling of utilized Number of Resource Blocks (NRB) in the frequency domain and by using an AAS network node antenna gain offset between the data and broadcast channels. The AAS network node antenna gain offset between the data and broadcast channels may be transmitted as additional information to the non-AAS or AAS indication. The AAS network node gain offset may be different for different network nodes implementations. E.g., if dual polarized beamforming is used, broadcast signals may be transmitted with a gain approximate to the sub-array gain. In cases when beam sweeping broadcast signals is used, the SSB may instead be transmitted with full array gain. Having this additional information, the actual peak Emitted Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) may be measured in field for AAS network node.

[0051] The antenna gain scaling factor sent from the UE 110 will in case of an AAS give the value in order to calculate the correct field strength. The field strength can also be estimated if an approximate factor is assumed. If the antenna system is a non-AAS no such factor needs to be set. Figure 3 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 100 wherein embodiments herein may be implemented. The communications network 100 comprises one or more RANs, and one or more CNs. The communications network 100 may use 5G NR but may further use a number of other different technologies, such as, 6G, Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications / enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

[0052] Network nodes, such as a network node 110, herein also interchangeably referred to as a second network node 110, operate in the RAN in the wireless communications network 100. The network nodel 10 may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio access network node such as a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), an NR Node B (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, or any other network unit capable of communicating with UEs, such as a UE 120, within radio coverage of the network node 110. The base station 110 may be referred to as a serving base station and communicates with the UE 120 with Downlink (DL) transmissions to the UE 120 and Uplink (UL) transmissions from the UE 120.

[0053] Network nodes, such as e.g., UEs operate in the communication network 100. E.g. the UE 120, herein also interchangeably referred to as a first network node 120. The UEs such as e.g. the UE 120, may e.g. be a wireless device, a NR device, a mobile station, a wireless terminal, a Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-loT) device, a Machine- Type Communications (MTC) device, a WiFi device, a LTE device and an a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, that communicates via a base station such as e.g. a base station 105, one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. a RAN, to one or more core network (CN) nodes, in one or more CNs. It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, client, mobile client, IMS client, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a car or any small base station communicating within a cell. The UE may mean a device acting as network spectrum analyzers, e.g., passive or active with or without SIM, and can measure the field strength value.

[0054] Embodiments herein relates to the first network node 110, e.g. being a base station and the second network node 120, e.g. being a UE. The first network node 110 may further be an aerial UE, network scanner, test UE or spectrum analyser or any other field strength measuring device, and the second network node 120 may further be a terrestrial BS or Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) BS e.g. airborne.

[0055] Methods according to embodiments herein are performed by the first network node 120. This node may be a Distributed Node (DN) and functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 170 as shown in Figure 3.

[0056] A number of embodiments will now be described, some of which may be seen as alternatives, while some may be used in combination.

[0057] A method according to embodiments herein will be described as seen from the view of the first network node 120 together with Figure 4.

[0058] Figure 4 shows example embodiments of a method performed by the first network node 120. The method is for handling estimated signal properties of a signal between the second network node 110 and the first network node 120 in the wireless communications network 100.

[0059] The method comprises the following actions, which actions may be taken in any suitable order.

[0060] Action 401.

[0061] The first network node 120 configures at least a first and a second indication relating to signals in a channel used by the second network node 110. The first indication comprises information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication comprises information of a second type of antenna system. The configuration may be performed by the entity that manages the first network node 120, which in most cases is an operator. The first type of antenna system may be an AAS and the second type of antenna system may be a non-AAS. It may also be the other way around, the first type of antenna system may be a non-AAS and the second type of antenna system may be an AAS.

[0062] The first indication and / or the second indication may be comprised in any one or more out of:

[0063] System Information Block Type 1, SIB1,

[0064] Master Information Block, MIB, an added Signal Information Block, SIB, a broadcast channel, a Radio Resource Control, RRC, channel, and a dedicated channel.

[0065] Action 402.

[0066] The first network node 120 receives a signal from the second network node 110. The signal is received in the channel. The signal comprises any one out of: The first indication or the second indication.

[0067] Action 403.

[0068] The first network node 120 estimates signal properties of the received signal. In some embodiments estimating signal properties may comprise measuring signal properties, wherein signal properties e.g., is power.

[0069] The estimating of the signal properties of received signal may further comprise measuring the field strength of the signal received from the second network node 120, performing a spectrum analysis of the received signal, and determining a frequency dependent field strength value based on the spectrum analysis.

[0070] Action 404.

[0071] The first network node 120 determines whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated signal properties and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal. The criterion may e.g. be when the field strength value is higher than an allowed trigger point. This action e.g. means that the BS needs to reduce its power or direction of transmitting.

[0072] The determining of whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a specified criterion based on the signal properties of received signal, may further comprise comparing the frequency dependent field strength value with a maximum field strength limit depending on the received first or second indication.

[0073] In this way by using the methods above, a third party can understand and map the measurement results to a first or a second antenna system, e.g., a non-AAS or a AAS BS.

[0074] Embodiments herein such as the embodiments mentioned above will now be further described and exemplified. The text below is applicable to and may be combined with any suitable embodiment described above.

[0075] In order to distinguish immediately during measurement time if a signal comes from a first or a second type of antenna system, e.g., a non-AAS or AAS system, the method may comprise the following actions.

[0076] In some embodiments a new idle mode with a dedicated broadcast non-AAS or AAS bit may be used. This e.g. means that an indication may be added in the broadcast SIB1. This indication may signaling for the second network node 110 which e.g., may be set to “1” for AAS and “0” for non-AAS” for the AAS and non-AAS bit respectively. This may e.g. be set by the operator when it starts up the second network node 110. Alternatively, several bits may be sent if available or needed. This relates to and may be combined with the action 401 above.

[0077] If a dedicated broadcast non-AAS and / or AAS bit in SIB1 is not possible due to resistance in 3GPP then the steps below may be used to get the non-AAS or AAS information.

[0078] An additional broadcast specifically for measurement equipment may be used. This e.g., means that an additional broadcast channel may be created comprising this and potentially other relevant information specifically for test equipment to be used for detecting if a BS is non-AAS or AAS and possibly in case of AAS to know the antenna scaling factor. The broadcast signals may in this case be sent very infrequent, e.g. every minute, or every few minutes. This relates to and may be combined with any of the action steps 401-404 above.

[0079] An additional connected mode with dedicated signaling of a non-AAS and / or AAS bit may be used. This e.g. combines spectrum analysis with active connection which also allows beam steering towards the measurement point for the data channel. Examples of a combination of spectrum analysis with active connection may be a UE test equipment or spectrum analyzer with a SIM card. During this additional connected mode, a SIM card may be needed, and data call needs to be set up. This relates to and may be combined with any of the action steps 401-404 above.

[0080] The information about the second network node 110 antenna system may also be used in order to improve UE 120 performance, e.g. connecting to the second network node 110 faster from idle to connected mode and / or optimizing a UE 120 algorithm with and without beamforming.

[0081] Further steps in order for a third-party to estimate the maximum field strength from measurements at the broadcast channel for an AAS signal may be performed. E.g., by adding additional information in an existing broadcast-, an additional broadcast- or in a connected mode signaling as outlined above. This information may comprise an antenna gain scaling factor between a data and a broadcast channel in order to calculate the data channel maximum field strength value. This relates to and may be combined with any of the action steps 401-404 above.

[0082] Detection of a non-AAS or AAS BS system

[0083] Figure 5 illustrates in a flow-chart, an example embodiment for determining if a signal relate to a non-AAS or AAS second network node 110 by calculating data field strength value from measurement in a broadcast channel.

[0084] The flow-chart shows various actions to obtain the non-AAS and / or AAS network node 110 information needed to calculate the field strength value, e.g., in-band power or adjacent band power, from broadcast cell-specific information for the data channel. To be used for determining whether the estimated signal properties fulfil the specified criteria as described in Action 404 above. The information related to non-AAS or AAS and the AAS antenna scaling factor may be added in the broadcast SIB1 or by adding an additional SIB for such measurement purpose, which will be described more thoroughly later on in this document. Another option where the information may be added is in the data channel signalling, e.g., RRC, for which an active data connection and operator specific subscription may be needed.

[0085] Implementation in the broadcasting SIB1

[0086] UEs, such as e.g. the first network node 120, may read broadcasted information in MIB and SIB1 prior to connecting to a gNB, such as e.g. the second network node 110. The MIB for NR may be sent in the SSB and only contains a few parameters, e.g. where to find SIB1. Therefore, it is not suitable for adding an AAS bit in MIB in NR, but it might be suitable in 6G. SIB1 is larger and contains many optional parameters and is therefore a suitable place for an optional AAS indication. The indication may be implemented as an optional Boolean parameter in the end of SIB1, as in the example below, from the NR RRC specification, 3GPP TS 38.331 V18.0.0 (2023-12) Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification. [ [ cellBarredRedCap-rl8 SEQUENCE { cellBarred-eRedCaplRx-rl8 ENUMERATED (barred, notBarred} , cellBarred-eRedCap2Rx-rl8 ENUMERATED (barred, notBarred}

[0087] } OPTIONAL — Need R ] ] } Featurepriority- r 17 INTEGER (0..7) MT-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB-rl8 SEQUENCE ( sdt-RSRP-ThresholdMT-rl8 RSRP-Range

[0088] OPTIONAL, — Need S sdt-LogicalChannelSR-DelayTimer-rl8 ENUMERATED ( sf20, sf40, sf64, sfl28, sf512, sfl024, sf2560, sparel) OPTIONAL, — Cond MT-SDT1 t319a-rl8 ENUMERATED ( mslOO, ms200, ms300, ms400, msSOO, mslOOO, ms2000, ms3000, ms4000, spare!, spareS, spareS, spare4, spare3, spare2, sparel} OPTIONAL — Cond MT-SDT2 } SIB1-V1900-IES SEQUENCE ( useOfAAS BOOLEAN OPTIONAL, — Need

[0089] N nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE ( }

[0090] OPTIONAL }

[0091] — TAG-SIB1-STOP

[0092] — ASN1STOP

[0093] Implementation with additional broadcast signalling

[0094] An added SIB for broadcast signalling may be introduced to the RRC specification, 3GPP TS 38.331 V18.0.0 (2023-12) Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification. This added SIB broadcast signalling may be available for test equipment and may e.g., be read in idle mode. The details of the broadcast channel, e.g. time and frequency information in relation to SSB and other relevant content, may be captured in the 3GPP specifications.

[0095] It may e.g., not be necessary for test equipment related information to be broadcast on the same timescale as SIB1. Repeating the information in a timescale of minutes would most likely be sufficient for measurement acquisition. Thus, the added channel would create very little overhead and would not cause degradation to communications.

[0096] The broadcast may contain information on whether the second network node 110 is declared as AAS or non-AAS, and potentially also other information relevant to the measurement e.g. the AAS antenna scaling factor between broadcast and data channel.

[0097] The addition of an added SIB is a larger change than adding an indication in SIB1 , but it may be an advantage to have a specific SIB for testing and measurement purposes. An added SIB is a larger change than an addition to SIB1 but is not time critical and needed that often since it may only be needed for some initial tests when network gets deployed or if interference problem is observed.

[0098] Implementation in the data channel signalling

[0099] Alternatively, an AAS indication may be sent via dedicated signalling. This alternative may require that the UE, such as the first network node 120, has a SIM card. The IE BeamFailureRecoveryConfig message in prior art may be used to configure the UE with Random Access Channel (RACH) resources and candidate beams for beam failure recovery in case of beam failure detection. The IE BeamFailureRecoveryConfig message does contain optional parameters that may be AAS related such as candidate- Beam-RS-List, but that parameter is also used for massive MIMO. Therefore, an addition of an optional AAS indication in the IE BeamFailureRecoveryConfig message may also be beneficial. Below is an example of how such an indication can be added as an optional Boolean parameter in the NR RRC specification, 3GPP TS 38.331 V18.0.0 (2023-12) Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification.

[0100] To perform the method actions above, the first network edge node 120 is configured to handle estimated signal properties of a signal between the second network node 110 and the first network node 120 in the wireless communications network 100.

[0101] The first network node 120 may comprise an arrangement depicted in Figure 6. The first network node 120 may comprise an input and output interface 600 configured to communicate in the communications network 100. The input and output interface 600 may comprise a wireless receiver not shown, and a wireless transmitter not shown.

[0102] The first network node 120 is further configured to configure at least a first and a second indication related to signals in a channel adapted to be used by the second network node 110. The first indication is adapted to comprise information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication is adapted to comprise information of a second type of antenna system.

[0103] The first network node 120 is further configured to receive from the second network node 110, a signal in the channel which is adapted to comprise any one out of: the first or the second indication,

[0104] The first network node 120 is further configured to estimate signal properties of the received signal. The first network node 120 is further configured to determine whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated channel properties, and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal.

[0105] The estimate of the signal properties of received signal may further be adapted to comprise:

[0106] - Measure the field strength of the signal received from the second network node 110,

[0107] - Perform a spectrum analysis of the received signal, and

[0108] - Determine a frequency dependent field strength value based on the spectrum analysis.

[0109] The first network node 120 may further be configured to determine whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a specified criteria based on the signal properties of received signal, by comparing the frequency dependent field strength value with a maximum field strength limit which depend on the received first or second indication.

[0110] In some embodiments the first type of antenna system is adapted to be an Active Antenna System, AAS, and the second type of antenna system is adapted to be a nonActive Antenna System, non-AAS.

[0111] In some embodiments the first indication and / or the second indication is adapted to be comprised in any one or more out of:

[0112] System Information Block Type 1, SIB1,

[0113] Master Information Block, MIB, an added Signal Information Block, SIB, a broadcast channel, a Radio Resource Control, RRC, channel, and a dedicated channel.

[0114] Embodiments herein may be implemented through a processor or one or more processors, such as the processor 610 of a processing circuitry in the first network node 120 depicted in Figure 6, together with respective computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the first network node 120. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the first network node 120.

[0115] The first network node 120 may further comprise a memory 620 comprising one or more memory units. The memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the first network node 120. The memory is arranged to be used to store e.g., media functions, indications, tags, information, data, configurations, communication data, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first network node 120.

[0116] In some embodiments, a computer program 630 comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor 610, cause the at least one processor of the first network node 120 to perform the actions above.

[0117] In some embodiments, a carrier 640 comprises the computer program 630, wherein the carrier 640 is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer- readable storage medium.

[0118] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that units in the first network edge node 120, described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g. stored in the first network node 120, that when executed by the one or more processors such as the processors described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry ASIC, or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0119] Figure 7 shows an example of a communication system QQ100 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0120] In the example, the communication system QQ100 includes a telecommunication network QQ102 that includes an access network QQ104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network QQ106, which includes one or more core network nodes QQ108. The access network QQ104 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes QQ110a and QQ110b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes QQ110), or any other similar 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network QQ102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network QQ102 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network QQ102, including one or more network nodes QQ110 and / or core network nodes QQ108.

[0121] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (0-Rll), an open distributed unit (0-Dll), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O- CLI-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1 , F1 , W1, E1 , E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies. The network nodes QQ110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs QQ112a, QQ112b, QQ112c, and QQ112d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs QQ112) to the core network QQ106 over one or more wireless connections.

[0122] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system QQ100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system QQ100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0123] The UEs QQ112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes QQ110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes QQ110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs QQ112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network QQ102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network QQ102.

[0124] In the depicted example, the core network QQ106 connects the network nodes QQ110 to one or more host computing systems, such as host QQ116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network QQ106 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node QQ108) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node QQ108. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0125] The host QQ116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network QQ104 and / or the telecommunication network QQ102. The host QQ116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0126] As a whole, the communication system QQ100 of 9 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0127] In some examples, the telecommunication network QQ102 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network QQ102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network QQ102. For example, the telecommunications network QQ102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0128] In some examples, the UEs QQ112 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network QQ104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network QQ104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi- RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0129] In the example, the hub QQ114 communicates with the access network QQ104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE QQ112c and / or QQ112d) and network nodes (e.g., network node QQ110b). In some examples, the hub QQ114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub QQ114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network QQ106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes QQ110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub QQ114. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR device, display, loudspeaker, or other media delivery device, the hub QQ114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub QQ114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub QQ114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0130] The hub QQ114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node QQ110b. The hub QQ114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub QQ114 and UEs (e.g., UE QQ112c and / or QQ112d), and between the hub QQ114 and the core network QQ106. In other examples, the hub QQ114 is connected to the core network QQ106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub QQ114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network QQ104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes QQ110 while still connected via the hub QQ114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub QQ114 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node QQ110b. In other embodiments, the hub QQ114 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node QQ110b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0131] Figure 8 shows a UE QQ200 in accordance with some embodiments. The UE QQ200 presents additional details of some embodiments of the UE QQ112 of Figure 7. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes such as e.g. the second network node 110 and / or other UEs such as e.g. the first network node 120. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage / playback device, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), an Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0132] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0133] The UE QQ200 includes processing circuitry QQ202 that is operatively coupled via a bus QQ204 to an input / output interface QQ206, a power source QQ208, a memory QQ210, a communication interface QQ212, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 8. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0134] The processing circuitry QQ202 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory QQ210. The processing circuitry QQ202 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry QQ202 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs). In the example, the input / output interface QQ206 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE QQ200. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0135] In some embodiments, the power source QQ208 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source QQ208 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source QQ208 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE QQ200 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source QQ208. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source QQ208 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE QQ200 to which power is supplied.

[0136] The memory QQ210 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory QQ210 includes one or more application programs QQ214, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data QQ216. The memory QQ210 may store, for use by the UE QQ200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems. The memory QQ210 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory QQ210 may allow the UE QQ200 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory QQ210, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0137] The processing circuitry QQ202 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface QQ212. The communication interface QQ212 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna QQ222. The communication interface QQ212 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter QQ218 and / or a receiver QQ220 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter QQ218 and receiver QQ220 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna QQ222) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0138] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface QQ212 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0139] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface QQ212, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0140] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0141] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE QQ200 shown in Figure 8. As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0142] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0143] Figure 9 shows a network node QQ300 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O- RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0144] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi- cel l / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0145] The network node QQ300 includes a processing circuitry QQ302, a memory QQ304, a communication interface QQ306, and a power source QQ308. The network node QQ300 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node QQ300 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node QQ300 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory QQ304 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna QQ310 may be shared by different RATs). The network node QQ300 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node QQ300, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node QQ300.

[0146] The processing circuitry QQ302 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node QQ300 components, such as the memory QQ304, to provide network node QQ300 functionality. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ312 and baseband processing circuitry QQ314. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ312 and the baseband processing circuitry QQ314 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 and baseband processing circuitry QQ314 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0147] The memory QQ304 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer- readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device- readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry QQ302. The memory QQ304 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry QQ302 and utilized by the network node QQ300. The memory QQ304 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry QQ302 and / or any data received via the communication interface QQ306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 and memory QQ304 is integrated.

[0148] The communication interface QQ306 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface QQ306 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) QQ316 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface QQ306 also includes radio front-end circuitry QQ318 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna QQ310. Radio front-end circuitry QQ318 comprises filters QQ320 and amplifiers QQ322. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may be connected to an antenna QQ310 and processing circuitry QQ302. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna QQ310 and processing circuitry QQ302. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ320 and / or amplifiers QQ322. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna QQ310. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna QQ310 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry QQ318. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry QQ302. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0149] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node QQ300 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry QQ318, instead, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna QQ310. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 is part of the communication interface QQ306. In still other embodiments, the communication interface QQ306 includes one or more ports or terminals QQ316, the radio front-end circuitry QQ318, and the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface QQ306 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry QQ314, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0150] The antenna QQ310 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna QQ310 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry QQ318 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna QQ310 is separate from the network node QQ300 and connectable to the network node QQ300 through an interface or port.

[0151] The antenna QQ310, communication interface QQ306, and / or the processing circuitry QQ302 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna QQ310, the communication interface QQ306, and / or the processing circuitry QQ302 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0152] The power source QQ308 provides power to the various components of network node QQ300 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source QQ308 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node QQ300 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node QQ300 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source QQ308. As a further example, the power source QQ308 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0153] Embodiments of the network node QQ300 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 9 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node QQ300 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node QQ300 and to allow output of information from the network node QQ300. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node QQ300. In some embodiments providing a core network node, such as core network node QQ108 of FIG. 7, some components, such as the radio front-end circuitry QQ318 and the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 may be omitted.

[0154] Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment QQ400 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments QQ400 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment QQ400 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface. Virtualization may facilitate distributed implementations of a network node, UE, core network node, or host.

[0155] Applications QQ402 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0156] Hardware QQ404 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers QQ406 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs QQ408a and QQ408b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs QQ408), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer QQ406 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs QQ408.

[0157] The VMs QQ408 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer QQ406. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance QQ402 may be implemented on one or more of VMs QQ408, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0158] In the context of NFV, a VM QQ408 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs QQ408, and that part of hardware QQ404 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs QQ408 on top of the hardware QQ404 and corresponds to the application QQ402.

[0159] Hardware QQ404 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware QQ404 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware QQ404 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration QQ410, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications QQ402. In some embodiments, hardware QQ404 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system QQ412 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0160] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0161] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally. When using the word "comprise" or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as nonlimiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

[0162] The embodiments herein are not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a first network node (120) for handling estimated signal properties of a signal between a second network node (110) and the first network node (120) in a wireless communications network (100), the method comprising: configuring (401) at least a first and a second indication relating to signals in a channel used by the second network node (110), wherein the first indication comprises information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication comprises information of a second type of antenna system, receiving (402) from the second network node (110) a signal in the channel comprising any one out of: the first or the second indication, estimating (403), signal properties of the received signal, determining (404) whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated signal properties, and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the estimating (403) of the signal properties of received signal further comprises: measuring the field strength of the signal received from the second network node (110), performing a spectrum analysis of the received signal, and determining a frequency dependent field strength value based on the spectrum analysis,3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining (404) whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a specified criteria based on the signal properties of received signal, further comprises: comparing the frequency dependent field strength value with a maximum field strength limit depending on the received first or second indication.

4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the first type of antenna system is an Active Antenna System, AAS, and wherein the second type of antenna system is a non-Active Antenna System, non-AAS.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the first indication and / or the second indication are comprised in any one or more out of:System Information Block Type 1, SIB1,Master Information Block, MIB, an added Signal Information Block, SIB, a broadcast channel, a Radio Resource Control, RRC, channel, and a dedicated channel.

6. A computer program (630) comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor (610), causes the processor (610) to perform actions according to any of the claims 1-5.

7. A carrier (640) comprising the computer program (630) of claim 6, wherein the carrier (640) is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

8. A first network node (120) configured to handle estimated signal properties of a signal between a second network node (110) and the first network node (120) in a wireless communications network (100), the first network node (120) is further configured to: configure at least a first and a second indication related to signals in a channel adapted to be used by the second network node (110), wherein the first indication is adapted to comprise information of a first type of antenna system and the second indication is adapted to comprise information of a second type of antenna system, receive from the second network node (110), a signal in the channel which is adapted to comprise any one out of: the first or the second indication, estimate signal properties of the received signal. determine whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a criterion based on the estimated channel properties, and the received first or second indication comprised in the signal.

9. The first network node (120) according to claim 8, wherein estimate the signal properties of received signal further is adapted to comprise: measure the field strength of the signal received from the second network node (110), perform a spectrum analysis of the received signal, and determine a frequency dependent field strength value based on the spectrum analysis.

10. The first network node (120) according to claim 9, further being configured to determine whether the estimated signal properties fulfil a specified criteria based on the signal properties of received signal, by comparing the frequency dependent field strength value with a maximum field strength limit which depends on the received first or second indication.

11. The first network node (120) according to any of claims 8-10, wherein the first type of antenna system is adapted to be an Active Antenna System, AAS, and wherein the second type of antenna system is adapted to be a non-Active Antenna System, non-AAS.

12. The first network node (120) according to any of the claims 8-11 , wherein the first indication and / or the second indication are adapted to be comprised in any one or more out of:System Information Block Type 1, SIB1,Master Information Block, MIB, an added Signal Information Block, SIB, a broadcast channel, a Radio Resource Control, RRC, channel, and a dedicated channel.

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