Optimizing antenna array model selection in a telecommunications network

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a radio unit (O-RU), the O-RU configured to:

send, to a distribution unit (O-DU), antenna configuration capability information comprising at least one antenna array model parameter via management plane (M-Plane) messaging;

receive, from the O-DU, an antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter supported by the O-RU via control plane (C-Plane) messaging or M-Plane messaging, wherein the supported antenna array configuration is based on the antenna configuration capability information comprising at least one antenna array model parameter of the O-RU and a request to reconfigure the antenna array from a higher-layer network function; and

based on the antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter supported by the O-RU, change an antenna array model on top of a baseline antenna array configuration of the O-RU.

2 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus configured to change the antenna array model on top of the baseline antenna array configuration is further configured to:

configure at least one beam weight and/or at least one antenna calibration data set based on the at least one antenna model parameter received from the O-DU; and

response to an antenna configuration change during a transition from one antenna array model to another antenna array model considering the transition time of the antenna configuration change.

3 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the antenna configuration capability information comprises at least one antenna array model parameter to define at least one antenna array model among a plurality of predefined antenna array models that the O-RU is capable of activating, and wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

receive, from the O-DU, a bitmask to activate the least one antenna array model based on at least one selected antenna array model parameter; and

based on the bitmask, activate at least one antenna array model on top of a baseline antenna array configuration of the O-RU.

4 . An apparatus comprising:

a distribution unit (O-DU) configured to:

receive, from a radio unit (O-RU), antenna configuration capability information comprising at least one antenna array model parameter via management plane (M-Plane) messaging;

receive, from a higher-layer network function, a request to reconfigure an antenna array;

based on the antenna configuration capability information comprising at least one antenna array model parameter from the O-RU and based on the request to reconfigure the antenna array from the higher-layer network function, determine an antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter supported by the O-RU; and

apply the supported antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter via C-Plane messaging or M-Plane messaging.

5 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the apparatus configured to determine an antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter supported by the O-RU is further configured to:

select at least one antenna array model parameter that is operable by the O-RU on top of a baseline antenna array configuration of the O-RU;

based on the selected at least one antenna array model parameter, bitmask, at least one antenna array model that is operable by the O-RU on top of a baseline antenna array configuration of the O-RU; and

send the bitmask to activate the at least one antenna array model at the O-RU.

6 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the antenna configuration capability information comprises an antenna array baseline model configuration, wherein the bitmasking defines a plurality of antenna array models that enable the O-RU to activate the at least one antenna array model on top of the baseline antenna array configuration, wherein the at least one antenna array model comprising at least one of

a 64T64R model with 192 elements, comprising 96 dual-polarized elements,

a 48T48R model with 72 elements, comprising 144 dual-polarized elements,

a 32T32R comprising 96 elements comprising 48 dual-polarized elements,

a 32T32R comprising 96 elements comprising 48 dual-polarized elements, with 12 dual-polarized elements in a row and 4 dual-polarized elements in a column,

a 32T32R comprising 96 elements with 12 single polarized elements in a row and 8 single polarized elements in a column, and

a 32T32R comprising 96 elements comprising 48 dual-polarized elements within two submatrices of 24 dual-polarized elements that are symmetrical to each other.

7 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the antenna configuration capability information comprises an antenna array baseline model configuration, wherein the bitmasking defines a plurality of antenna array models that enable the O-RU to activate the at least one antenna array model parameter on top of the baseline antenna array configuration, wherein the at least one antenna array model comprising at least one of

a 16T16R comprising 48 dual-polarized elements,

a 16T16R comprising 96 single polarized elements, and

an 8T8R comprising 24 dual-polarized elements.

8 . A method comprising:

sending, by a radio unit (O-RU) to a distribution unit (O-DU), antenna configuration capability information comprising at least one antenna array model parameter via management plane (M-Plane) messaging;

receiving, from the O-DU, an antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter supported by the O-RU via control plane (C-Plane) messaging or M-Plane messaging, wherein the supported antenna array configuration is based on the antenna configuration capability information comprising at least one antenna array model parameter of the O-RU and a request to reconfigure the antenna array from a higher-layer network function; and

based on the antenna array configuration comprising at least one antenna array model parameter supported by the O-RU, changing, by the O-RU, an antenna array model on top of a baseline antenna array configuration of the O-RU.

9 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

configuring, by the O-RU, at least one beam weight and/or at least one antenna calibration data set based on the at least one antenna model parameter received from the O-DU; and

responding, by the O-RU, to an antenna configuration change during a transition from one antenna array model to another antenna array model considering the transition time of the antenna configuration change.

10 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

receiving, from the O-DU, a bitmask to activate the least one antenna array model based on at least one selected antenna array model parameter; and

based on the bitmask, activating, by the O-RU, at least one antenna array model parameter on top of a baseline antenna array configuration of the O-RU.