WO2023061603A1

WO2023061603A1 - Detecting angular power areas

Info

Publication number: WO2023061603A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/078541
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Svendsen; Samantha Caporal Del Barrio
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-10-14
Filing date: 2021-10-14
Publication date: 2023-04-20

Abstract

Examples of the disclosure relate to an apparatus such as a User Equipment (UE) that can be configured to detect different Angular Power Areas from which the UE can receive power. An Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power. The apparatus can be configured to use a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals and compare the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers. The apparatus can be configured to use the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area.

Description

TITLE

Detecting Angular Power Areas

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the disclosure relate to detecting Angular Power Areas (APAs). Some relate to an apparatus such as a User Equipment (UE) that can be configured to detect different APAs from which the UE can receive power.

BACKGROUND

Beam management can be used to reduce losses in communication networks between a UE and access nodes such as a Base Station (gNB). Beam management can provide for improved alignment of beams between the UE and the access nodes. In order to select beam configurations it is useful for the access node to obtain information about the environment around the UE.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area, wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power. Comparing the relative signal strengths may comprise generating a vector for two or more of the received reference signals, wherein the values within the vector comprise Reference Signal Received Power values for two or more of the receivers used and comparing the vectors.

The reference signals may be classed as being from the same Angular Power Area if the vectors are within a threshold of each other and the reference signals are classed as being from different Angular Power Areas if the vectors are not within a threshold of each other.

The at least one processor and at least one memory may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform grouping reference signals having a first set of relative signal strengths between the different receivers to a first group and grouping reference signals having a second set of relative signal strengths between the different receivers to a second group, wherein the different groups correspond to different Angular Power Areas.

The signals received from a Primary- Angular Power Area may have a higher power level than the signals received from a Secondary Useable- Angular Power Area.

The at least one processor and at least one memory may be configured to cause the apparatus to identify an Angular Power Area as a Secondary Useable- Angular Power Area if the power level received by the Angular Power Area is above a threshold level.

The apparatus may be configured to receive an indication of the threshold level from a node apparatus.

The plurality of receivers may comprise a plurality of different panels of the apparatus.

The at least one processor and the at least one memory may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform reporting whether or not two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from different Angular Power Areas.

The report may be provided from the apparatus to a node apparatus. The report may comprise an indication of a Primary - Angular Power Area and the indication of the availability of at least one Secondary Useable- Angular Power Area to a node apparatus.

The plurality of reference signals may be received simultaneously.

The plurality of reference signals may be received sequentially.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area, wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a User Equipment comprising an apparatus as described herein.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example network;

FIGS. 2A to 2D show example radiation patterns for a UE;

FIGS. 3A to 3C show example radiation patterns

FIGS. 4A to 4E show example angular power areas;

FIG. 5 shows an example method;

FIG. 6 shows an example method for determining availability of SU-APAs;

FIG. 7 shows an example radiation pattern;

FIG. 8 shows an example radiation pattern;

FIG. 9 shows an example radiation pattern;

FIGS. 10A to 10E show an example use and radiation patterns;

FIG. 11 shows an example controller.

DEFINITIONS

APA Angular Power Area

APAC Angular Power Area Characterization

CSI-RS Channel State Indicator Reference Signal

DL Downlink

GBBR Group Based Beam Reporting LoS Line of Sight

PL Propagation Loss

RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

SSB Synchronisation Signal Block

SSBRI SSB Resource Indicator

UE User Equipment

UL Uplink

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a network 100 comprising a plurality of network nodes including terminal nodes 110, access nodes 120 and one or more core nodes 130. The terminal nodes 110 and access nodes 120 communicate with each other. The one or more core nodes 130 communicate with the access nodes 120.

The one or more core nodes 130 can, in some examples, communicate with each other. The one or more access nodes 120 can, in some examples, communicate with each other.

The network 100 may be a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells 122 each served by an access node 120. In this example, the interface between the terminal nodes 110 and an access node 120 defining a cell 122 is a wireless interface 124.

The access node 120 comprises a cellular radio transceiver. The terminal nodes 110 comprise a cellular radio transceiver.

In the example illustrated the cellular network 100 is a third generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network in which the terminal nodes 110 are user equipment (UE) and the access nodes 120 are base stations.

In the particular example illustrated the network 100 is a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access network (UTRAN). The UTRAN consists of UTRAN NodeBs 120, providing the UTRA user plane and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE 110. The NodeBs 120 are interconnected with each other and are also connected by means of the interface 128 to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) 130. The term ‘user equipment’ is used to designate mobile equipment comprising a smart card for authentication/encryption etc such as a subscriber identity module (SIM) and/or an e-SIM that can be stored in a memory of a device. In other examples the term ‘user equipment’ is used to designate mobile equipment comprising circuitry embedded as part of the user equipment for authentication/ encryption such as software SIM. The UE 110 could comprise, or be comprised within, any suitable type of device such as a smart phone, a media device, a vehicle, a drone or any other suitable type of device than could communicate within a network 100.

The NodeB can be any suitable base station. A base station is an access node 120. It can be a network element in radio access network responsible for radio transmission and reception in one or more cells to or from the user equipment.

The UTRAN can be a 4G or 5G network, for example. It can for example be a New Radio (NR) network that uses gNB or eNB as access nodes 120. New radio is the 3GPP name for 5G technology.

Such networks 100 can also comprise next generation mobile and communication network, for example, a 6G network.

The access nodes 120 can have different transmission configurations. These different transmission configurations can be defined by beams or spatial filters that are used by the access nodes 120 and the UEs 110.

A Transmission Configuration Indicator- State (TCI- State) can indicate a transmission configuration between an access node 120 and a UE 110. The TCI-State can be defined by the access node 120 when the UE 110 is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode. A TCI state can comprise the identity of the relevant cell and Bandwidth part. The TCI State can also specify the relevant Synchronisation Signals (SS) /Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) Block or Channel State Information (CSI) Reference Signal (CSI-RS), and the relevant Quasi Co-Location (QCL) Type.

The network 100 can be configured so that a pool comprising of up to 64 TCI-states can be configured for Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The network 100 can be configured so that eight of these can be active (Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) Medium Access Control - Control Element (MAC-CE)) at the same time.

In order to select TCI-States it is useful for the access node 120 to obtain information about the beams that are being received by the UE 110. It can be useful for the access node 120 to obtain information about different angular directions that the UE 110 is receiving power from. This could be used to enable the access node 120 to switch to using a beam having a different angular direction if there is a blockage in a primary direction. For example, the access node 120 could update the TCI-state.

The UEs 110 can receive power from different directions. Figs. 2A to 2D show simulations of free space radiation patterns for an example UE 110.

In this example the UE 110 comprises a smart phone. Other types of UE 110 could be used in other examples of the disclosure. In this case the UE 110 has a reception point or panel at each of four sides. The reception points or panels could comprise antenna arrays. The antenna arrays could comprise a linear array of a plurality of antenna elements arranged along an edge or face of the UE 110. In this example there would be four such antenna arrays. Other arrangements of the antenna array could be used in other examples of the disclosure.

In these examples each of the reception points or panels is configured for a wide (single patch) beam. The wide beam can be used for monitoring Synchronisation Signal Block (SSB) beams or any other suitable purpose.

Fig. 2A shows the simulated radiation pattern 201 for the top panel, Fig. 2B shows the simulated radiation pattern 201 for the bottom panel, Fig. 2C shows the simulated radiation pattern 201 for the left panel and Fig. 2D shows the simulated radiation pattern 201 for the right panel.

These radiation patterns 201 show a large amount of ripples. The ripples can be caused by standing waves excited on parts of the UE 110 such as the chassis or cover glass and/or coupling with neighboring unused panels and/or other electronic or mechanical components of the UE 110. The simulated radiation patterns 201 show that there are regions of overlap for the different panels where similar levels of high gain could be obtained with two or more different panels.

Figs. 3A to 3C show example radiation patterns for the UE 110 shown in Figs. 2A to 2D. The radiation patterns comprise two-dimensional cut plots of the different free space radiation patterns as shown in Figs. 2A to 2D. Fig. 3A shows a front two- dimensional cut, Fig. 3B shows a side two-dimensional cut and Fig. 3C shows a top two-dimensional cut.

The radiation patterns in Figs. 3A to 3C show the overlapping regions of the different radiation patterns for the different panels in the angular domain.

The shaded regions 301 in the plots show where there are regions of high gain from a plurality of different panels. In these regions a high gain could be obtained with two or more different panels. Therefore, a UE 110 that is using wide beams to receive reference signals can have angular regions from which power can be received and for which two or more panels could have the highest, or close to the highest, antenna gain value. Therefore, the UE 110 cannot determine which APA is being used to receive power based on the panel alone.

An Angular Power Area APA can comprise a range of directions from which a UE 110 can receive power from an access node 120. An APA can comprise an angular range comprising a direction of arrival of one or more signals. An APA does not need to be defined precisely or in absolute values or angular ranges. A UE 110 can identify different APAs without needing to determine the actual angle of arrival of any of the signals in the APA.

In some examples different APAs can be different sizes. That is the angular ranges for different APAs do not need to be the same. The UE 110 does not need to know the sizes of the APAs.

In some examples the UE 110 can receive power from more than one APA. In Such examples the highest power signals can be received by a Primary-APA (P-APA) and the lower signal values can be received by one or more Secondary Useable -APAs (SU-APA).

In some examples the P-APA and the SU-APA can be received by the same panel of the UE 110. In other examples the P-APA and the SU-APA could be received by different panels.

Figs. 4A to 4E show example APAs for a UE 110 and an indication of the panels that are used to receive the power. The UE 110 could be part of a network 100 such as the network 100 of Fig. 1.

The UE 110 could be a smartphone such as the smartphone shown in Figs. 2A to 2D. This has four panels that can be configured to receive signals. In this case a panel can be positioned on each side of the UE 110. Other numbers and/or arrangements of the panels could be used in other examples.

In the examples of Figs. 4A to 4E an access node 120 is transmitting reference signals 401 on narrow beams. In this example the access node 120 is a gNB and the reference signals 401 comprises an SSB beam sweep. The SSB beam sweep is transmitted in a plurality of different angular directions. The SSB beam sweep is transmitted in a plurality of different angular directions sequentially or simultaneously.

In the example of Fig. 4A the reference signal 401 is transmitted directly from the access node 120 to the UE 110 in a Line of Sight (LoS) scenario. There are no strong reflections or blockages of the reference signal 401 between the transmission of the reference signal 401 transmitted by the access node 120 on beam x and the reception of the reference signal 401 by the UE 110.

In this case the UE 110 is only receiving power from one APA. This provides a P-APA 403. In this case the left-hand side panel 405 of the UE 110 is used to receive power from the P-APA 403.

In the example of Fig. 4B the environment around the UE 110 is different compared to the example of Fig. 4A. In the example of Fig. 4B there are some buildings 407 positioned between the access node 120 and the UE 110. The buildings 407A block the LoS path between the access node 120 and the UE 110 so that the best path now relies on a reflection of the reference signal 401 coming from a different building 407B. The path of the reflection can change the directions of the reference signal 401 so that the angle of arrival of the reference signal 401 at the UE 110 is different to the blocked potential LoS path. The blockage of the potential LoS path can also affect the best configured beam at the access node 120 so a different beam y is used.

In the example of Fig. 4B the UE 110 is still only receiving power from one APA. This provides a P-APA 403. The P-APA 403 of Fig. 4B is different to the P-APA 403 of Fig. 4A because it covers different angular ranges. However, in both cases the left-hand side panel 405 of the UE 110 is also used to receive power from the P-APA 403.

In the example of Fig. 4C more buildings 407 are comprised within the environment around the UE 110. In this example two different buildings 407 reflect different beams from the reference signal 401 towards the UE 110. Therefore, in this example the UE 110 can receive power from two different APAs related to two different beams at the access node 120.

The P-APA 403 can comprise the area from which the highest power reference signal is received. The SU-APA 409 can comprise the area from which a lower power reference signal is received. The SU-APA 409 can be designated as an SU-APA 409 if the reference signals received from that direction are above a threshold power level. The threshold power level can be set relative to the power level of the reference signals received from the P-APA 403. For example, the threshold level could be set as a fraction or percentage of the power level of the reference signals received from the P- APA 403. The threshold power level can be set by the access node 120 or by any other suitable part of the network 100.

The left-hand side panel 405 of the UE 110 is also used to receive power from both the P-APA 403 and the SU-APA 409. This can make it difficult for a UE 110 to identify whether or not a reference signal 401 is received from a P-APA 403 or an SU-APA 409 based on the panel that is used to receive the power.

In the example of Fig. 4D one of the beams from the reference signal 401 is transmitted directly to the UE 110 without any reflections. Another of the beams from the reference signal 401 is reflected from a building 407 and the reflection directs it towards the UE 110.

In this example the reference signal 401 that is transmitted directly to the UE 110 without any reflections has a higher power level when it is received by the UE 110. The area from which this reference signal 401 is received is therefore designated as the P-APA 403. The reference signal 401 that is reflected from the building 407 towards the UE 110 has a lower power level when it is received by the UE 110. The area from which this reference signal 401 is received is therefore designated as the SU-APA 409.

In the example of Fig. 4D the left-hand side panel 405 of the UE 110 is also used to receive power from both the P-APA 403 and the SU-APA 409. This can make it difficult for a UE 110 to identify whether or not a reference signal 401 is received from a P- APA 403 or an SU-APA 409 based on the panel that is used to receive the power.

In the example of Fig. 4E two beams from the reference signal 401 are reflected from two different buildings 407A, 407B and directed towards the UE 110.

The reference signal that takes the shortest path from the access node 120 to the UE 110 has a higher power level when it is received by the UE 110. In the example of Fig. 4E this is the beam that is reflected from the first building 407A. The area from which this reference signal 401 is received is therefore designated as the P-APA 403. The reference signal 401 that takes a longer path has a lower power level when it is received by the UE 110. In the example of Fig. 4E this is the beam that is reflected from the second building 407B. The area from which this reference signal 401 is received is therefore designated as the SU-APA 409.

In the example of Fig. 4E the left-hand side panel 405 of the UE 110 is used to receive power from the P-APA 403 but the bottom panel 411 of the UE 110 is used to receive power from the SU-APA 409. In such cases the UE 110 could identify whether or not a reference signal 401 is received from a P-APA 403 or an SU-APA 409 based on the panel that is used to receive the power.

Fig. 5 shows an example method that can be performed by an apparatus such as a The method comprises, at block 501 , receiving a plurality of reference signals. A plurality of receivers can be used to receive the plurality of reference signals. For example, the different panels of a smart phone as shown in Figs. 2A to 2D could be used, or any other suitable receivers. The plurality of different receivers can enable the UE 110 to receive power arriving at the UE 110 from different directions.

In some examples the plurality of reference signals can be received simultaneously. In some examples the plurality of reference signals can be received sequentially.

At block 503 the method comprises comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals that have been received by the different receivers. This comparison can comprise identifying the differences in the signal strengths of a reference signal received by the different receivers. This enables the difference in signal strength of the same reference signal received by the different receivers to be identified. This process can be repeated for different reference signals. The relative signal strengths of the different signals can then be compared.

In some examples the method can comprise generating a plurality of vectors to enable the comparison to be made. The method can comprise generating a vector for two or more of the received reference signals. Different vectors are associated with different reference signals. The values within the vector can comprise Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) values for the reference signals or any other suitable values.

The relative signal strengths of the different reference signals can therefore be compared by the different vectors. Comparing the vectors can comprise identifying whether or not two or more vectors comprise values that are within a threshold of each other.

At block 505 the method comprises detecting whether or not two or more reference signals have been received from the same APA or from different APAs. The APAs can comprise ranges of angles from which the UE 110 is receiving power. This detection can be made using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers. The reference signals can be classed as being from the same APA if the relative signal strengths are within a threshold of each other. The reference signals can be classed as being from different APAs if the relative signal strengths are not within a threshold of each other. For instance, where the comparison of the reference signals is made using vectors, the reference signals can be classed as being from the same APA if the vectors are within a threshold of each other and the reference signals are classed as being from different APAs if the vectors are not within a threshold of each other.

In examples where a plurality of reference signals are received the method can also comprise grouping the different reference signals into different groups. The different groups can correspond to different APAs. For instance, reference signals having a first set of relative signal strengths between the different receivers can be grouped to a first group and reference signals having a second set of relative signal strengths between the different receivers can be grouped to a second group.

In examples of the disclosure the detection of whether or not two or more reference signals have been received from the same APA or from different APAs can be made by comparing the relative signal strengths of the reference signals rather than any exact or absolute values. The exact or absolute values do not need to be determined to implement the methods of the disclosure. The relative values can be used to identify patterns within the reference signals and their relative powers. These patterns can be independent of the absolute or exact power values.

The signals received from a P-APA have a higher power level than the signals received from an Sll-APA. The P-APA can therefore be identified as the APA from which the highest power signals are received. An APA can be identified as an Sll-APA if the reference signals received from that APA are above a threshold level. The threshold level that is required for the signal strengths to be classified as an Sll-APA can be set by an access node 120 or any other suitable part of a network 100. The UE 110 can receive an indication of the threshold level from a node apparatus such as an access node 120 or from any other suitable part of a network 100.

In some examples the method can also comprise reporting whether or not two or more reference signals have been received from the same APA or from different APAs. The report can be provided from the UE 110 to a node apparatus such as an access node 120 or any other suitable part of the network 100.

The report can comprise an indication of a P-APA and the indication of the availability of at least one Sll-APA to a node apparatus such as an access node 120. The report can be provided in any suitable format.

In some examples the report that is provided by the UE 110 can comprise a list of APAs wherein the order of the APAs within the list indicates whether or not an APA is a P-APA or an SU-APA. The format and the order of the APAs within the list can be pre-agreed. For instance, it can be pre-agreed that the first APA in the list is a P-APA and a second or any subsequent APAs in the list can be SU-APAs. If no subsequent APAs are included in the list after the P-APA then this can indicate that there are no SU-APAs. The UE 110 can be configured so that only SU-APAs that are above the threshold power level appear in the list.

In some examples the report can comprise one or more bits within a channel state report message. In such examples each of the one or more bits indicate an availability of different APAs. The channel state report can comprise an RSRP report. The one or more bits can associate reported Synchronisation Signal Block (SSB) indices to a P- APA or an SU-APA.

In the example methods the precise angular ranges associated with the APAs do not need to be determined. For example, the UE 110 does not need to identify whether the APA is to the front of a UE 110 or to the side of a UE 110. It can be sufficient for the UE 110 to identify that the APAs are different. This can enable the P-APA and the SU-APA to be identified without any known and pre-characterized spatial filtering at the UE 110. This can enable the UE 110 to identify the P-APA and the SU-APA in any conditions, including conditions in which the users’ hands are blocking one or more panels of the UE 110. This can also enable an SU-APA to be used if a P-APA becomes blocked.

In some examples the different APAs can be associated with indicators such as SSB or CSI indicators. The indicators such as SSB or CSI indicators can enable an access node 120 or other part of the network to configure alternative TCI-states. Similarly, any reports that are provided by the UE 110 do not need to comprise a definition of the APAs. That is, the report does not need to provide values, either absolute or relative, for the angular ranges covered by the APAs. It is sufficient to provide an indication that a first reference signal is received from a first APA and a second reference signal is received from a second, different APA.

Fig. 6 shows another example method for determining whether or not one or more SU- APAs are available. The example method of Fig. 6 could be performed by a UE 110. The UE 110 could be a smartphone as shown in Figs. 2A to 2D or any other suitable type of UE 110. The UE 110 can comprise a plurality of different receivers that enable the UE 110 to receive power from different directions.

At block 601 the method comprises activating a first set of receivers of the UE 110, where a set of receivers could be one or multiple. The set of receivers could be one or multiple of the panels or beams within the UE 110.

At block 603 a reference signal is received by the UE 110 and measured to obtain measured signal values. The reference signal can be any suitable type of reference signal. For instance, the reference signal could be an SSB signal or a Channel State Indicator Reference Signal (CSI-RS) signal.

The measured signal values could comprise the received power levels of the reference signal or any other suitable type of values. For example, the measured signal values could comprise the RSRP values or any other suitable type of values.

The measured signal values are stored at block 605. The measured signal values can be stored so that they can be used to compare different signals at a later point in time. The measured signal values can be stored so that they can be used to compare different signals after all of the reference signals have been received and measured. The measured signal values can be stored in a memory of the UE 110 or in any other suitable storage location.

At block 607 it is determined whether or not all of the expected reference signals have been measured. If all of the expected reference signals have not been measured then the process moves to block 609 and the next reference signal is measured. Once the next reference signal has been measured the process returns to block 605 to store the measured signal value for the next reference signal.

If, at block 607, it is determined that all of the expected reference signals have been measured then the process moves to block 611 and it Is determined whether or not all receivers have been used.

If all of the receivers have not been used then the process moves to block 613 and the next receiver is activated. Once the next receiver has been activated the process returns to block 603 to measure the reference signals that have been received by the next receiver.

If, at block 611 , it is determined that all of the receivers have been used then the process moves to block 615 and relative signal values are determined. Any suitable process can be used to determine the relative signal values.

The relative signal values can comprise the difference in the power levels for a given reference signal received using the different receivers. For example, the relative signal values could comprise the differences in the RSRP values for a given SSB index for each of the receivers.

In some examples the method can comprise generating a vector for at least some of the received reference signals. The values within the vector can comprise reference signal received power (RSRP) values for two or more of the receivers used.

At block 617 the relative signal values can be compared. This enables the relative signal strengths of the received signals to be compared. In some examples this can be comparing the vectors that might be formed at block 615.

Reference signals can be classed as being from the same APA if they have differences that are similar to each other. For instance, two or more vectors can be compared and if they are within a threshold of each other the reference signals corresponding to the vectors can be considered to be received from the same APA. However, if the vectors are not within a threshold of each other then the reference signals can be classed as being from different APAs.

In some examples the method can comprise grouping reference signals to different APAs. Reference signals with similar differences between measured values can be classified together in the same group. This grouping can be used to identify which reference signals have been received by a P-APA and which have been received by a SU-APA.

If it is determined that the reference signals are received from different APAs then a P- APA and one or more SU-APAs can be identified based on received power levels or any other suitable criteria.

Figs. 7 to 9 show example radiation patterns that can be obtained in different circumstances of the UE 110.

The power available at the UE 110 in these examples is dependent upon the Propagation Loss (PL) and the different spatial filters or beams that have been used for the different transmitted SSB beams.

The Absolute Power Levels of the Reference Signal (APL-RS) available at the UE can be derived as follows:

APL-RS = PL + AGN

Where AGN is the Antenna Gains Normalized and PL is the Propagation Loss. In this equation it is assumed that the PL is fixed and that the AGN are normalized to the best aligned SSB beam for the gNB and that there is OdBm input power.

The received RSRP values at the UE 110 can be calculated from the following equation:

RSRP = APL-RS + UE Antenna Gain

The APA Characterization (APAC) vector for each received reference signal can then be calculated as the relative differences of RSRP for the different reference signals. The reference signals could be an SSB or CSI-RS signal. This gives an example vector with reference to Beam/Panel#1 as:

APAC SSB#x A(B#2 - B#1, B#3 - B#1, B#4 - B#1)

Fig. 7 shows an example radiation pattern for a scenario in which all of the reference signals are arriving from the same APA. The radiation pattern is shown for four different SSB beams. The plot shown in Fig. 7 shows the different signal strengths for the different SSB beams at different angular directions.

Fig. 7 shows a two dimensional front cut of the radiation pattern for the four different SSB beams. In the example of Fig. 7 a P-APA is aligned with the boresight of one of the receivers or panels of the UE 110. The P-APA is indicated by the shaded area 701 in Fig. 7.

The APL-RS values for the UE 110 in the example of Fig. 7 are shown in Table 1 .

The PL was -80dB

Table 1

The derived RSRP values for the UE 110 in the example of Fig. 7 are shown in Table 2.

Table 2

This gives the APAC vectors as:

SSB#1 A(6.0 dB, 7.0 dB, 16.0 dB) SSB#2 A(6.0 dB, 7.0 dB, 16.0 dB) SSB#3 A(6.0 dB, 7.0 dB, 16.0 dB) SSB#4 A(6.0 dB, 7.0 dB, 16.0 dB)

This shows that the APAC vectors are the same, or substantially the same for each of the reference signals. This provides an indication that they are all being received by the same APA.

In this example the methods of the disclosure such as the methods of Figs. 5 and 6 could be used to classify the SSBs as all being received from the same APA. All of the reference signals would be grouped into a single group associated with a single APA. The APA can be identified as the P-APA.

Fig. 8 shows another example radiation pattern for a scenario in which all of the reference signals are arriving from the same APA. The radiation pattern is shown for four different SSB beams. The plot shown in Fig. 8 shows the different signal strengths for the different SSB beams at different angular directions.

Fig. 8 shows a two dimensional side cut of the radiation pattern for the four different SSB beams. In the example of Fig. 8 a P-APA is not aligned with the boresight of one of the receivers or panels of the UE 110. The P-APA is indicated by the shaded area 801 in Fig. 8.

Having the P-APA not aligned with the boresight of the antenna makes it harder to identify the best SSBs for the different receivers. As shown in Fig. 8 the SSBs all have similar power levels for this APA. The SSB with the highest power level could change due to small fluctuations in the power levels. The small fluctuations could be due to channel variations like fast fading, small movement or rotation of the UE 110 or any other suitable factor. This makes the situation shown in Fig. 8 more difficult for the UE 110 to resolve than the situation shown in Fig. 7.

The APL-RS values for the UE 110 in the example of Fig. 8 are shown in Table 3. The PL was -80dB.

Table 3

The derived RSRP values for the UE 110 in the example of Fig. 8 are shown in Table 4.

Table 4

This gives the APAC vectors as:

SSB#1 A(0.3 dB, 0.5 dB, -0.7 dB)

SSB#2 A(0.3 dB, 0.5 dB, -0.7 dB) SSB#3 A(0.3 dB, 0.5 dB, -0.7 dB) SSB#4 A(0.3 dB, 0.5 dB, -0.7 dB)

This shows that the APAC vectors are the same, or substantially the same for each of the reference signals. This provides an indication that they are all being received by the same APA. Therefore, even though the absolute power levels of the SSBs are very close and could be affected by variations and instability during the sampling time it is still possible to identify that they are all received by the same APA using the examples of the disclosure such as the methods of Figs. 5 and 6.

In examples of the disclosure the APAC can be detected as being received using the same APA if the values within the APAC vector are within a threshold range of each other. The threshold range can enable channel variations and small movement or rotation of the UE 110 during the sampling time to be taken into account.

For instance, the APAC vectors of the example of Fig. 8 with added variance could become:

SSB#1 A(0.3 dB, 0.5 dB, -0.7 dB)

2.0 dB, 0.8 dB) SSB#3 A(-0.3 dB, -0.1 dB, -1 .3 dB) SSB#4 A(-1.2 dB, -1 .0 dB, -2.2 dB)

In this example no variance has been added to SSB#1 , 1.5dB of variance has been added to SSB#2, 0.6dB of variance has been added to SSB#3, and -1.5dB of variance has been added to SSB#4. The variance has been added compared to the example of Fig. 8.

These vectors with added variance are all within a 3dB threshold of each other. Therefore, if a threshold tolerance of 3dB is used the examples of the disclosure would still indicate that all of these SSBs are received using the same APA. Other threshold tolerances could be used in other examples of the disclosure.

Fig. 9 shows another example radiation pattern for another scenario. In the scenario of Fig. 9 different reference signals are arriving from different APAs. The radiation pattern is shown for four different SSB beams. The plot shown in Fig. 9 shows the different signal strengths for the different SSB beams at different angular directions.

Fig. 9 shows a two-dimensional side cut of the radiation pattern for the four different SSB beams. In the example of Fig. 9 a P-APA is aligned with the boresight of one of the receivers or panels of the UE 110 and an Sll-APA is aligned with a boresight of the same receivers or panels. The P-APA is indicated by the shaded area 901 in Fig. 9 and the Sll-APA is indicated by the shaded area 903 in Fig. 9.

The APL-RS values for the UE 110 in the example of Fig. 9 are shown in Table 3.

The PL was -80dB for the APA. The PL for the SU-APA was 5dB higher due to the reflections of the beams.

Table 5 The derived RSRP values for the UE 110 in the example of Fig. 8 are shown in Table

4.

Table 6

This gives the APAC vectors as:

SSB#1 A(5.0 dB, 2.0 dB, 15.0 dB)

SSB#2 A(5.0 dB, 2.0 dB, 15.0 dB) SSB#3 A(0.1 dB, 5.1 dB, 9.1 dB) SSB#4 A(0.1 dB, 5.1 dB, 9.1 dB)

In this example SSB#1 is the same as, or similar to, SSB#2. SSB#1 and SSB#2 are different to SSB#3 and SSB#4. SSB#3 is the same as, or similar to, SSB#4. Therefore, applying examples of the disclosure to these APAC vectors will enable SSB#1 and SSB#2 to be grouped together in a first group and SSB#3 and SSB#4 to be grouped together in a second group. The different groups are associated with different APAs even when both APAs are best received with the same panel.

In some examples there could be variances between the different channels which leads to variances in the values within the APAC vectors. In such cases APAC vectors that are within a threshold range of each other can be identified as similar and associated with the same APA.

For instance, the APAC vectors of the example of Fig. 9 with added variance could become:

SSB#1 A(5.0 dB, 2.0 dB, 15.0 dB)

SSB#2 A(6.5 dB, 3.5 dB, 16.5 dB) SSB#3 A(0.7 dB, 5.7 dB, 9.7 dB) SSB#4 A(-1 .4 dB, 3.6 dB, 7.6 dB) In this example no variance has been added to SSB#1 , 1.5dB of variance has been added to SSB#2, 0.6dB of variance has been added to SSB#3, and -1.5dB of variance has been added to SSB#4. The variance has been added compared to the example of Fig. 9.

The vectors for SSB#1 and SSB#2 are within a 3dB threshold of each other. Therefore, if a threshold tolerance of 3dB is used the examples of the disclosure would still indicate these SSBs are received using the same APA. Similarly, the vectors for SSB#3 and SSB#4 are within a 3dB threshold of each other. Therefore, if a threshold tolerance of 3dB is used the examples of the disclosure would still indicate these SSBs are received using the same APA. The vectors for SSB#1 and SSB#3 are not within a 3dB threshold of each other and so these would not be classified as coming from the same APA.

In the above described examples each of the APAC vectors comprise three values. The number of values within the vectors can be dependent upon the number of receivers/panels available within the UE 110. In other examples the UE 110 could have more than four panels or receivers and so the APAC vectors could comprise a higher number of components. The higher number of components could make the grouping of the vectors into different APAs more accurate because it can increase the number of data points that can be used to make the comparisons.

Examples of the disclosure can be used to detect different APAs even when a user is handling the UE 110 because the methods of the disclosure use relative values instead of absolute values. Figs. 10A to 10B show an example of a user handling a UE 110 and Figs. 10C to 10E show example radiation patterns that can be obtained when the UE 110 is being handled in different ways.

In Fig. 10A a user is holding the UE 110 in a single hand 1001. In this example the user is holding the UE 110 in their right hand. This can be referred to as a Right Hand Grip (RHG). A simulated radiation pattern 201 for the UE 110 being held in this grip is also shown in Fig. 10A.

In Fig. 10B a user is holding the UE 110 in two hands 1001A and 100B. In this example the user is holding the UE 110 in the palms of both their right hand 1001 A and their left hand 1001 B. This can be referred to as a Dual Hand Grip (DHG). A simulated radiation pattern 201 for the UE 110 being held in this grip is also shown in Fig. 10B.

Fig. 10C shows three different radiation patterns for the UE 110. The different radiation patterns comprise two-dimensional cuts of the different free space radiation patterns of the UE 110 as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. In the examples of Figs. 10C the radiation patterns show front cuts of the radiation patterns of the UE 110.

The first plot 1003 in Fig. 10C shows the radiation pattern for the UE 110 in free space. The second plot 1005 shows the radiation pattern for the UE 110 being held in a RHG and the third plot 1007 shows the radiation pattern for the UE 119 being held in a DHG.

These plots also show a first shaded area 1009 which is indicative of a first APA and a second shaded area 1011 which is indicative of a second APA. These APAs are at different angular ranges so could provide a P-APA and an SU-APA.

The first plot 1003 shows that when the UE 110 is in free space the sections 1013 of the plots in the APA regions have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals. The second plot 1005 shows that when the UE 110 is held in a RHG one of the sections 1015 of the plots in the APA regions has clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals and one of the sections 1017 of the plots in the APA regions does not have clear power differences. The third plot 1007 shows that when the UE 110 is held in a DHG one of the sections 1019 of the plots in the APA regions has clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals and one of the sections 1021 of the plots in the APA regions does not have clear power differences. The APA regions with clear power differences may change as the user changes the grip or rotates the UE 110.

Fig. 10D shows another three different radiation patterns for the UE 110. The different radiation patterns comprise two-dimensional cuts of the different free space radiation patterns of the UE 110 as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. In the examples of Fig. 10D the radiation patterns show side cuts of the radiation patterns of the UE 110. The first plot 1003 in Fig. 10D shows the radiation pattern for the UE 110 in free space. The second plot 1005 shows the radiation pattern for the UE 110 being held in a RHG and the third plot 1007 shows the radiation pattern for the UE 119 being held in a DHG.

The first plot 1003 shows that when the UE 110 is in free space one of the sections 1023 of the plots in the APA regions have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals and one of the sections 1025 of the plots in the APA regions do not have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals. The second plot 1005 shows that when the UE 110 is held in a RHG the sections 1027 of the plots in the APA regions have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals. The third plot 1007 shows that when the UE 110 is held in a DHG the sections 1029 of the plots in the APA regions do not have clear power differences for the reference signals.

Fig. 10E shows another three different radiation patterns for the UE 110. The different radiation patterns comprise two-dimensional cuts of the different free space radiation patterns of the UE 110 as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. In the examples of Figs. 10E the radiation patterns show top cuts of the radiation patterns of the UE 110.

The first plot 1003 in Fig. 10E shows the radiation pattern for the UE 110 in free space. The second plot 1005 shows the radiation pattern for the UE 110 being held in a RHG and the third plot 1007 shows the radiation pattern for the UE 119 being held in a DHG.

These plots also show a first shaded area 1009 which is indicative of a first APA and a second shaded area 1011 which is indicative of a second APA. These APAs are at different angular ranges so could provide a P-APA and an SU-APA. When the UE 110 is in free space one of the sections 1031 of the plots in the APA regions have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals and one of the sections 1033 of the plots in the APA regions do not have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals. The second plot 1005 shows that when the UE 110 is held in a RHG the one of the sections 1035 of the plots in the APA regions have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals and one of the sections 1037 of the plots in the APA regions do not have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals. The third plot 1007 shows that when the UE 110 is held in a DHG the one of the sections 1039 of the plots in the APA regions have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals and one of the sections 1041 of the plots in the APA regions do not have clear power differences for at least some of the reference signals.

Figs. 10C to 10E show different scenarios in which the reference signals do not have a clear power difference in the APA regions. These plots also show that the changes in the radiation patterns caused by the different way the user holds the UE 110 can be severe and can be difficult to predict. However, the methods of examples of the disclosure can be used to detect different APAs even for these types of scenarios.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a controller 1100. The controller 1100 could be provided within an apparatus such as a UE 110 or a gNB 120. Implementation of a controller 1100 may be as controller circuitry. The controller 1100 may be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

As illustrated in Fig. 11 the controller 1100 can be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program 1106 in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 1102 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc.) 1104 to be executed by such a processor 1102.

The processor 1102 is configured to read from and write to the memory 1104. The processor 1102 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 1102 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 1102.

The memory 1104 stores a computer program 1106 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) that controls the operation of the apparatus when loaded into the processor 1102. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 1106, provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 The processor 1102 by reading the memory 1104 is able to load and execute the computer program 1106.

In examples where the controller 1100 is provided within a UE 110 the controller 1100 therefore comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform; using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area, wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

The computer program 1106 may arrive at the apparatus or network apparatus via any suitable delivery mechanism 1108. The delivery mechanism 1108 may be, for example, a machine readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or a solid-state memory, an article of manufacture that comprises or tangibly embodies the computer program 1106. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 1106. The apparatus may propagate or transmit the computer program 1106 as a computer data signal.

The computer program 1106 can comprise computer program instructions for causing a UE 110 to perform at least the following or for performing at least the following: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area, wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

The computer program instructions may be comprised in a computer program, a non- transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine readable medium. In some but not necessarily all examples, the computer program instructions may be distributed over more than one computer program.

Although the memory 1104 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processor 1102 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable. The processor 1102 may be a single core or multi-core processor.

References to ‘computer-readable storage medium’, ‘computer program product’, ‘tangibly embodied computer program’ etc. or a ‘controller’, ‘computer’, ‘processor’ etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuitry implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The stages illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 can represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 1106. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it can be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the UE 110, and the network 100 are configured to communicate data with or without local storage of the data in a memory 1104 at the UE 110, or the access nodes 120 and with or without local processing of the data by circuitry or processors at the UE 110, or the access nodes 120.

The data may be stored in processed or unprocessed format remotely at one or more devices. The data may be stored in the Cloud. The data may be processed remotely at one or more devices. The data may be partially processed locally and partially processed remotely at one or more devices.

The data may be communicated to the remote devices wirelessly via short range radio communications such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for example, or over long range cellular radio links. The apparatus may comprise a communications interface such as, for example, a radio transceiver for communication of data.

The UE 110 and/or the network 100 can be part of the Internet of Things forming part of a larger, distributed network.

The processing of the data, whether local or remote, can be for the purpose of health monitoring, data aggregation, patient monitoring, vital signs monitoring or other purposes.

The processing of the data, whether local or remote, may involve artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms. The data may, for example, be used as learning input to train a machine learning network or may be used as a query input to a machine learning network, which provides a response. The machine learning network may for example use linear regression, logistic regression, vector support machines or an acyclic machine learning network such as a single or multi hidden layer neural network.

The processing of the data, whether local or remote, may produce an output. The output may be communicated to the UE 110, and the access nodes 120 where it may produce an output sensible to the subject such as an audio output, visual output or haptic output.

The above-described examples find application as enabling components of: automotive systems; telecommunication systems; electronic systems including consumer electronic products; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or rendering media content including audio, visual and audio visual content and mixed, mediated, virtual and/or augmented reality; personal systems including personal health systems or personal fitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces also known as human machine interfaces; networks including cellular, non- cellular, and optical networks; ad-hoc networks; the internet; the internet of things; virtualized networks; and related software and services.

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one...” or by using “consisting”.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not. The term ‘a’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon. l/we claim:

Claims

33 CLAIMS

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area, wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein comparing the relative signal strengths comprises generating a vector for two or more of the received reference signals, wherein the values within the vector comprise Reference Signal Received Power values for two or more of the receivers used and comparing the vectors.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reference signals are classed as being from the same Angular Power Area if the vectors are within a threshold of each other and the reference signals are classed as being from different Angular Power Areas if the vectors are not within a threshold of each other.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one processor and at least one memory are configured to cause the apparatus to perform grouping reference signals having a first set of relative signal strengths between the different receivers to a first group and grouping reference signals having a second set of relative signal strengths between the different receivers to a second group, wherein the different groups correspond to different Angular Power Areas. 34

5. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 4, wherein the signals received from a Primary- Angular Power Area have a higher power level than the signals received from a Secondary Useable- Angular Power Area.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one processor and at least one memory are configured to cause the apparatus to identify an Angular Power Area as a Secondary Useable- Angular Power Area if the power level received by the Angular Power Area is above a threshold level.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, configured to receive an indication of the threshold level from a node apparatus.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of receivers comprise a plurality of different panels of the apparatus.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one processor and at least one memory are configured to cause the apparatus to perform reporting whether or not two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from different Angular Power Areas.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the report is provided from the apparatus to a node apparatus.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 10, wherein the report comprises an indication of a Primary - Angular Power Area and the indication of the availability of at least one Secondary Useable- Angular Power Area to a node apparatus.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of reference signals are received simultaneously.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 11 to 12, wherein the plurality of reference signals are received sequentially.

14. A User Equipment comprising an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. A method comprising: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein comparing the relative signal strengths comprises generating a vector for two or more of the received reference signals wherein the values within the vector comprise Reference Signal Received Power values for two or more the receivers used, and comparing the vectors.

17. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 16, wherein the reference signals are classed as being from the same Angular Power Area if the vectors are within a threshold of each other and the reference signals are classed as being from different Angular Power Areas if the vectors are not within a threshold of each other.

18. A computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause: using a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of reference signals; comparing the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers; and using the comparison of the relative signal strengths of the plurality of reference signals received by the different receivers to detect whether two or more reference signals have been received from the same Angular Power Area or from a different Angular Power Area wherein an Angular Power Area comprises a range of angles from which the apparatus is receiving power.

19. A computer program as claimed in claim 18, wherein comparing the relative signal strengths comprises generating a vector for two or more of the received reference signals wherein the values within the vector comprise Reference Signal Received Power values for two or more the receivers used, and comparing the vectors.

20. A computer program as claimed in any of claims 18 to 19, wherein the reference signals are classed as being from the same Angular Power Area if the vectors are within a threshold of each other and the reference signals are classed as being from different Angular Power Areas if the vectors are not within a threshold of each other.