WO2025216672A1

WO2025216672A1 - Radio-access network nodes, and beamforming methods therein in a communications network

Info

Publication number: WO2025216672A1
Application number: PCT/SE2024/050336
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yongquan Qiang; Mats ÅHLANDER; Fredrik Huss; Jonas Karlsson
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2024-04-09
Filing date: 2024-04-09
Publication date: 2025-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-09

Abstract

A method performed by a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node is provided. The method is for assisting a second RAN node to perform beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system of a communications network. The first RAN node is communicating with the second RAN node in a packet of a RAN in the communications network. The communicating is related to a Beamforming Weight (BFW) for a Physical Resource Block (PRB) bundle transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. The first RAN node obtains a subcarrier for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet. The subcarrier is associated with a BFW subcarrier index. The first RAN node calculates the BFW for the PRB bundle based on the obtained subcarrier. The first RAN node assists the second RAN node to perform beamforming by performing the following action. The first RAN node sends to the second RAN node, one or more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index is associated with the obtained subcarrier.

Description

_{RADIO-ACCESS NETWORK NODES, AND METHODS THEREIN IN A} COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TECHNICAL FIELD E_{mbodiments herein relate to a first Radio-Access Network (RAN) node, and} _{methods therein. In some aspects, embodiments relate to assisting a second RAN node} to perform beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system of a communications network. Embodiments herein further relate to a second RAN node, and methods therein. In some aspects, embodiments relate to performing beamforming in a MIMO antenna system of a communications network. BACKGROUND 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 Base Station (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. 3_{rd 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.} 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. 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. Note that MU-MIMO may benefit when each UE only has one antenna. The cell capacity can be increased linearly with respect to the number of antennas at the BS side. Due to that, more and more antennas are employed in BS. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as massive MIMO. Active Antenna System (AAS) is one of key technologies adopted by 5G NR to _{enhance the wireless network performance and capacity by using massive MIMO. AAS} consists of two-dimensional antenna elements array. In AAS, beamforming is used to _{form UE-specific beams toward the desired UE, which helps to increase the signal power} _{to desired UE and reduce the interference with other UEs. In a RAN, the downlink (DL)} _{transmission from the radio network node such as e.g., gNB to the UE, can be} _{formularized with beamforming using a general system model as follows.} _{^ = ^^^^^ + ^} _{where, ^^^ is the DL channel matrix with a dimension of ^^ × ^^. ^^ is the number} _{of receiving antennas at the UE side. ^^ is the number of transmitting antennas at the} _{gNB side. The DL channel matrix comprises information related to radio propagation from} _{the BS to the UE. ^ is the Beamforming Weight (BFW) matrix with dimension of ^^ × ^. ^} _{is the number of transmission layers corresponding to MIMO multiplexing. BFW matrix} comprises the weights to perform beamforming. There are two approaches to obtain the _{BFW matrix at the gNB side. First is a codebook-based approach in which the BFW} weights are obtained based on a pre-defined codebook and Pre-coding Matrix Indicator _{(PMI) report from the UE. Second is a reciprocity-based approach in which the BFW} _{weights are obtained based on Uplink (UL) reference signals such as e.g., Sounding} _{Reference Signal (SRS) and advanced precoding algorithms such as e.g. Minimum Mean} _{Square Error (MMSE) in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) system.} In the TDD system, by utilizing the reciprocity between the DL and the UL channel, _{the DL channel can be estimated from the UL channel as follows.} _{^^^ = ^}^ ^_^ _{where, ^^^ is UL channel matrix with dimension of ^^ × ^^ . The UL channel matrix} _{comprises radio propagation from the UE to the BS. The UL channel matrix can be} _{obtained by using UL reference signal such as e.g. SRS. Thus, from the obtained DL} _{channel matrix, the DL BFW can be calculated by using different beamforming methods} such as e.g., Zero-Facing _{or by using regularized ZF} ^_{= ^^} ^{^} _{^ ^^} _^ ⁽^_^^^_{^^ + ^^)} _{where ^ is regularization factor and ^ is an identity matrix.} _{Another benefit of AAS is that it supports Multi-User (MU) MIMO, in which multiple} users can be co-scheduled with shared time and frequency resources to utilize the multiplexing gain of MIMO system. In this case, the DL channel matrix ^_^^ in the _{equations described above is stacked from co-scheduled UEs as follows.} _{^^^ has a dimension of ^ × ^^, where ^ is the number of co-scheduled layers.} _{In UL, the BFW for MMSE or Interference Rejection Combining (IRC) receiver is} calculated as follows. ^_{= ^} ^{^} _^ _{^ ^^ + )^^} _^ ⁽^_^^^ _^ _{where ^^^ is estimated from UL reference signals such as e.g., Demodulation} _{Reference Signal (DMRS). R is the interference and noise covariance matrix.} _{The RAN architecture has evolved into a split architecture with the RAN being split} _{into three parts namely Centralized Unit (CU), Distributed Unit (DU) and the Radio Unit} (RU). The RU is located or integrated near the antenna system such as MIMO system and is responsible for transmission and reception of radio signals. The DU and CU are the computational parts of the RAN and with the DU located closer to the RU and the CU controlling the actions of the DU. To enable interoperability between multiple vendors of the different units in the RAN, an Open-RAN (O-RAN) architecture is required. Figure 1a illustrates the beamforming implementation in an O-RAN. In the O-RAN architecture as _{shown in Figure 1a, reference signals such as SRS and DMRS are sent from the O-RAN} _{RU (O-RU) to the O-RAN DU (O-DU). The BFW is then calculated at the O-DU and sent} to the O-RU. The O-RU then applies the sent BFW to the corresponding Physical _{Resource Block (PRB) bundles. The PRB is a group of consecutive subcarriers of one or} more Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. T_{he above-described interactions between the O-RU and O-DU for implementing} _{beamforming are performed through Section Extension (SE) of control section in the} _{Control-Plane (C-Plane). Figure 1b shows the data format corresponding to the BFW} _{indication through SE 11. This SE with disableBFWs=0 applies to the flexible sending of} BFW from the O-DU to the O-RU. This enables the O-DU to provide different BFWs for different PRBs within one section to facilitate, e.g., ZF precoding. The O-DU provides the numBundPrb parameter, which informs the O-RU how many PRBs are bundled together _{and share the same beamforming weights. The BFW I/Q data i.e., bfwl and bfwQ are} _{transmitted per PRB bundle sequentially. The above-described interaction between the O-} RU and the O-DU in the O-RAN as described in Figure 1a is also applicable to the _{beamforming implementation in the RAN architecture through proprietary interface} _{between the RU and DU in which case the BFW is calculated at the DU and sent to the} RU where the BFW may be interpolated. SUMMARY A_{s part of developing embodiments herein, the inventors identified some problems} that first will be described. The RU on receiving the BFW from the DU may perform interpolation of the BFW _{corresponding to the PRB bundle across adjacent PRB bundles. This may be performed} _{to e.g., derive the BFW for every subcarrier in the PRB bundle. In case of an O-RAN, e.g.,} _{in SE 11 of O-RAN C-plane interface from O-DU to O-RU, there is a flag named contInd} per PRB bundle indicating if the bundle is continuous with the next one. This indication _{indicates to the O-RU that it may use the continuity information to perform BFW} _{interpolation across adjacent PRB bundles. BFW interpolation may improve MU-MIMO} performance significantly in dispersive channel with long delay spread. Figure 1c illustrates the performance improvement due to interpolation compared to performing no _{interpolation. With the current O-RAN interface, the BFW subcarrier index from which the} _{BFW is derived at the O-DU is unknown at the O-RU. So, the O-RU assumes a BFW} _{subcarrier index which may not be aligned with the one at the O-DU side. This results in} incorrect mapping of interpolated BFW to subcarriers. For example, at O-DU, the SRS of _{subcarrier index 12 which may be at the middle of the PRB bundle may be used for BFW} calculation. However, at O-RU, when performing BFW interpolation, subcarrier index 0 which is the starting of the PRB bundle may be assumed. Such a scenario is illustrated in _{Figure 1c where the performance of BFW interpolation with different subcarrier index} _{assumed at O-RU and O-DU is shown. As seen, in case of MU-MIMO with 4 UEs and 8} layers, BFW interpolation with misaligned subcarrier index 0 at RU yields performance significantly worse than that with aligned subcarrier index 12, and even worse than that _{with no BFW interpolation. Thus, the misaligned subcarrier index when used for BFW} interpolation at the O-RU in the O-RAN or in an RU in the RAN significantly impacts the _{beamforming performance.} An object of embodiments herein is to improve the beamforming in a MIMO antenna system of a communications network. A_{ccording to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method} _{performed by a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node. The method is for assisting a} second RAN node to perform beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system of a communications network. The first RAN node is communicating with _{the second RAN node in a packet of a RAN in the communications network. The} communicating is related to a Beamforming Weight (BFW) for a Physical Resource Block (PRB) bundle transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. The first RAN node obtains a subcarrier for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet. The subcarrier is associated with a BFW subcarrier index. The first RAN node calculates the BFW for the PRB bundle based on the obtained subcarrier. The first RAN node assists the second RAN node to perform beamforming by performing the following action. The first RAN node sends to the second RAN node, one or more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index is associated with the obtained subcarrier. _{According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method} performed by a second RAN node. The method is for performing beamforming in a MIMO antenna system of a communications network. The second RAN node is communicating with a first RAN node in a packet of a RAN in the communications network. The communicating is related to a BFW for a PRB bundle transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. The second RAN node receives, from the first RAN node, one or more out of: a calculated BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet of the RAN _{and a BFW subcarrier index corresponding to a subcarrier obtained for calculating the} BFW for the PRB bundle. The second RAN node performs beamforming by performing the following action. The second RAN node interpolates the received calculated BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet. The interpolating is based on the received BFW subcarrier index. A_{ccording to another aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a first} RAN node. The first RAN node is configured to assist the second RAN node to perform beamforming in the MIMO antenna system of a communications network. The first RAN node is communicating with the second RAN node in a packet of a RAN in the communications network 100. This communicating is related to the BFW for a PRB bundle transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. The first RAN node is further configured to obtain a subcarrier for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet, which subcarrier is adapted to be associated with a BFW subcarrier index. The first RAN node is further configured to calculate the BFW for the PRB bundle based on the obtained subcarrier. The first RAN node is further configured to assist the second RAN node to perform beamforming by sending to the second RAN node, one or more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index associated with the obtained subcarrier. A_{ccording to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a second} _{RAN node. The second RAN node is configured to perform beamforming in the MIMO} antenna system of a communications network. The second RAN node is communicating with a first RAN node in a packet of a RAN in the communications network. The communicating is related to the BFW, for the PRB bundle transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. The second RAN node is further configured to _{receive, from the first RAN node, one or more out of: a calculated BFW for the PRB} _{bundle in the packet of the RAN, and a BFW subcarrier index corresponding to a} subcarrier adapted to be obtained for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle. The second RAN node is further configured to perform beamforming by interpolating the received calculated BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet. This interpolating is adapted to be based on the received BFW subcarrier index. Thanks to that the first RAN node and the second RAN node are able to operate using the same BFW subcarrier index, the beamforming in the MIMO antenna system of the communications network is improved. This is achieved by using the same BFW subcarrier index for calculation of the BFW at the first RAN node and for interpolation of the BFW across adjacent PRB bundles at the second RAN node. This way any performance degradation in BFW interpolation due to the misaligned subcarrier index is eliminated. E_{xample embodiments herein help to improve the beamforming performance in} both DL and UL. _{BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS} Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to _{attached drawings in which:} _{Figure 1a is a signalling scheme illustrating prior art.} _{Figure 1b is a schematic block diagram illustrating prior art.} _{Figure 1c is a diagram illustrating prior art.} _{Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a communications} network. _{Figure 3 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method in a first RAN node.} _{Figure 4 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method in a second RAN node.} _{Figure 5 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme illustrating an example} embodiment of a method herein. _{Figures 6 a and b are a schematic block diagrams illustrating an example embodiment} of a method herein. _{Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example embodiment herein.} _{Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example embodiment herein.} _{Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example embodiment herein.} _{Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a first RAN node.} _{Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a second RAN node.} _{Figure 12 schematically illustrates embodiments of a communication system.} _{Figure 13 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a UE.} _{Figure 14 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a network node.} _{Figure 15 is a generalized block diagram of embodiments of a virtualization} environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION E_{xamples of embodiments herein provide an interface extension to support robust} _{BFW interpolation in a RAN for both DL and UL. According to example embodiments} _{herein, a first RAN node determines a BFW subcarrier index from which a BFW is} _{derived. The BFW subcarrier index when used herein refers to e.g., a subcarrier offset} _{relative to a first subcarrier of a PRB bundle. The BFW subcarrier index may herein be} referred to as e.g., subcarrier index, and index. In these embodiments, the first RAN node _{indicates to a second RAN node regarding the BFW subcarrier index together with the} _{transmission of the calculated BFW. According to further example embodiments, the} second RAN node performs BFW interpolation based on the indicated BFW subcarrier _{index from the first RAN node. Example embodiments herein also provide a method for} _{using a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index at both the first RAN node and the second RAN} node. F_{igure 2 is a schematic overview depicting a communications network 100} wherein embodiments herein may be implemented. The communications network 100 _{comprises one or more RANs, such as RAN 110, and one or more CNs such as CN 106.} 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. R_{AN nodes, such as a first RAN node 111 and a second RAN node 112, operate} _{in the RAN 110 in the communications network 100. The RAN nodes 111, 112, may each} 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 121, within a cell, served by the respective base} station 111, 112. The respective base station 111, 112 may be referred to as a serving _{radio network node and may communicate with the UE 121 with Downlink (DL)} _{transmissions to the UE 121 and Uplink (UL) transmissions from the UE 121.} _{RAN nodes, such as e.g., the first RAN node 111, operate in RAN 110 of the} communications network 100. According to embodiments herein the first RAN node 111 may be or may comprise any one or more out of: a Distributed Unit (DU), an Open-DU (O- DU). RAN nodes, such as e.g., the second RAN node 112, operate in RAN 110 of the communications network 100. According to embodiments herein the second RAN node 112 may be or may comprise any one or more out of: a Radio Unit (RU), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), an Open-RU (O-RU). O_{ne or more UEs operate in the wireless communication network 100, such as e.g.} _{the UE 121. The UE 121 may e.g. be 5G-RG, a remote UE, a wireless device, an NR} device, a mobile station, a wireless terminal, an NB-IoT device, an MTC device, an eMTC device, a CAT-M device, a WiFi device, an LTE device and an a non-access point (non- _{AP) STA, a STA, that communicates via a RAN node such as e.g. the first RAN node 111} _{and the second RAN node 112, in the RAN, e.g., RAN 110, to one or more core network} _{(CN) nodes, in one or more CNs, such as e.g., CN 106. The UE 121 may communicate} _{with one or more CN nodes, in the CN e.g., CN 106. 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. Methods according to embodiments herein are performed by the first RAN node 111 _{and the second RAN node 112. These nodes may be Distributed Nodes (DN)s and} _{functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 170 as shown in Figure 2.} _{Examples of embodiments herein enable the first RAN node to provide the required} _{information for BFW interpolation to the second RAN node. The required information may} be the BFW subcarrier index used to calculate the BFW at the first RAN node. A number of embodiments will now be described, some of which may be seen as alternatives, while some may be used in combination. A method according to embodiments will first be described as seen from the view of _{the first RAN node 111 together with Figure 3, and then as seen from the view of the} _{second RAN node 112 together with Figure 4.} _{Figure 3 shows exemplary embodiments of a method performed by the first RAN} _{node 111. The method is for assisting the second RAN node 112 to perform beamforming} _{in a MIMO antenna system of the communications network 100. The first RAN node 111} _{is communicating with the second RAN node 112 in a packet of the RAN 110 in the} _{communications network 100. The packets used for communication between the first RAN} node 111 and the second RAN node 112 may e.g., be control packet in the C-plane in the RAN 110. In some embodiments, the RAN 110 is represented by an O-RAN. In these embodiments, the first RAN node 111 is e.g., O-DU and the second RAN node 112 is e.g., O-RU. In these embodiments, the packets may e.g., be in a control section in the C- _{plane in the O-RAN. The communicating is related to the BFW for the PRB bundle} transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. The one or _{more PRBs that share the same BFW may be bundled together as the PRB bundle.} _{According to an example scenario, the second RAN node 112 e.g., RU may want to} perform DL beamforming in order to transmit signals to one or more UEs such as e.g., UE 121, or UL beamforming in order to receive signals from one or more UEs such as e.g., UE 121. T_{he method comprises the following actions, which actions may be taken in any} _{suitable order. Optional actions are referred to as dashed boxes in Figure 3.} _{Action 301. The first RAN node 111 may select a subcarrier related to the PRB} _{bundle in the packet (301a). In some embodiments, the selection is based on the} _{subcarrier in which the channel is selected for BFW calculation. The first RAN node 111} may instead select a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index, agreed with the second RAN _{node 112, for calculating the BFW in the RAN 110 (301b). In some embodiments, the first} RAN node 111 and the second RAN node 112 agrees to select e.g., the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the middle of the PRB bundle for calculating the BFW at the first RAN node 111. In these embodiments, the second RAN node 112 agrees to use the same selected pre-defined value i.e., the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the middle of the PRB bundle to perform interpolation at the second RAN node 112. A_{ction 302. The first RAN node 111 obtains the subcarrier for calculating the BFW} _{for the PRB bundle in the packet. The subcarrier is associated with the BFW subcarrier} _{index. In some embodiments, obtaining of the subcarrier for calculating BFW for the PRB} _{bundle in the packet is based on any one out of the selection options described in Action} 301. In some embodiments, the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the obtained subcarrier for the PRB bundle in the packet comprises the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. Action 303. The first RAN node 111 calculates the BFW for the PRB bundle based _{on the obtained subcarrier. According to the example scenario, the second RAN node 112} _{may want to obtain the BFW from the first RAN node 111 to apply for beamforming for DL} transmission or UL receiving. In this regard, the first RAN node 111 e.g., DU may receive a UL reference signal such as e.g., SRS and/or DMRS from the second RAN node 112 e.g., RU. For DL beamforming in a TDD system, the first RAN node 111 may then derive DL channel matrix with the received UL channel matrix by using the reciprocity between _{DL and UL in TDD system. The first RAN node 111 may then use this derived DL channel} matrix to calculate the BFW. The calculation of the BFW may be performed by using ZF, _{regularized ZF or MMSE.} _{Action 304. The first RAN node 111 may determine the BFW subcarrier index} _{corresponding to the subcarrier selected for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle. The} _{determination of the BFW subcarrier index may be performed by a scheduler or a} beamforming controller in the first RAN node 111. The first RAN node 111 assists the second RAN node 112 to perform beamforming by performing the following action. A_{ction 305. The first RAN node 111 sends to the second RAN node 112, one or} more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index associated with the _{obtained subcarrier. In some embodiments, the sent calculated BFW and the sent BFW} subcarrier index enables the second RAN node 112 to perform interpolation of the sent BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet, which interpolation is based on the received BFW subcarrier index. In some embodiments, the sent BFW subcarrier index is comprised in any one out of: a packet _{header, the PRB bundle. When the BFW subcarrier index is the same for all PRB bundles} in the packet, then a common BFW subcarrier index may be added to the packet header. In these embodiments, the BFW subcarrier index comprises the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier of the said PRB bundle in said packet. When the BFW subcarrier index is different for different PRB bundles in the packet, then the BFW subcarrier index may be added to each of the PRB bundles in the packet. In these embodiments, the BFW subcarrier index comprises the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier of the said _{PRB bundle in said packet or relative to the first subcarrier of the first PRB bundle.} _{In this way by using the methods above, the first RAN node 111 is able to} communicate information related to the BFW subcarrier index which was used to calculate the BFW at the first RAN node 111 for the PRB bundle in the packet. This information is useful for the second RAN node 112 to perform BFW interpolation more accurately to map the interpolated BFW to every subcarrier in the PRB bundle. F_{igure 4 shows exemplary embodiments of a method performed by the second} _{RAN node 112. The method is for performing beamforming in a MIMO antenna system of} the communications network 100. The second RAN node 112 is communicating with the first RAN node 111 in a packet of the RAN 110 in the communications network 100. In some embodiments, the RAN 110 is represented by an O-RAN. In these embodiments, the first RAN node 111 is e.g., O-DU and the second RAN node 112 is e.g., O-RU. The _{communicating is related to the BFW for the PRB bundle transmitted in the packet. The} PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. A_{ccording to an example scenario, the second RAN node 112 e.g., RU may want to} _{perform beamforming to transmit signals to or receive signals from one or more UEs such} as e.g., UE 121. T_{he method comprises the following actions, which actions may be taken in any} suitable order. Optional actions are referred to as dashed boxes in Figure 4. A_{ction 401. The second RAN node 112 receives, from the first RAN node 111, one} _{or more out of: the calculated BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet of the RAN 110, and} _{the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for calculating the} _{BFW for the PRB bundle. According to the example scenario, the second RAN node 112} _{may want to obtain the BFW from the first RAN node 111 to apply for beamforming for DL} transmission or UL receiving. To obtain the BFW, the second RAN node 112 may send a UL reference signal such as e.g., SRS and/or DMRS to the first RAN node 111 e.g., DU. The first RAN node 111 may then use the received signal to derive the DL channel matrix for DL beamforming. The first RAN node 111 may then use this derived DL channel matrix _{to calculate the BFW which it then sends to the second RAN node 112. In some} embodiments, the receiving of the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for calculating BFW for the PRB bundle is based on any one out of the following. The second RAN node 112 may receive the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier that is selected related to the PRB bundle in the packet. The second RAN node 112 may instead agree with the first RAN node 111 to apply a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index for interpolating the BFW in the second RAN node 112. In these embodiments, the _{second RAN node 112 agrees with the first RAN node 111 to select e.g., the BFW} _{subcarrier index corresponding to the middle of the PRB bundle for interpolating the BFW} _{at the second RAN node 112. In these embodiments, the first RAN node 111 agrees to} use the same selected pre-defined value i.e., the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to _{the middle of the PRB bundle to calculate the BFW at the first RAN node 111.} In some embodiments, the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for the PRB bundle in the packet comprises the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. In some embodiments, the received subcarrier index is comprised in any one out of: a packet header, the PRB bundle. The second RAN node 112 then performs beamforming by performing the following action. A_{ction 402. The second RAN node 112 interpolates the received calculated BFW} corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said _{packet. This interpolating is based on the received BFW subcarrier index. According to} the example scenario, the received calculated BFW is used together with the BFW _{subcarrier index to perform beamforming to transmit signals to or receive signals from one} or more UEs such as e.g., UE 121. I_{n this way by using the methods above, the second RAN node 112 is able to} receive information related to the BFW subcarrier which was used to calculate the BFW at the first RAN node 111. This information is useful for the second RAN node 112 to perform BFW interpolation more accurately to map the interpolated BFW to every subcarrier in the PRB bundle. 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. F_{igure 5 shows the communication between the first RAN node 111 e.g., O-DU and} _{the second RAN node 112 e.g., O-RU performed, according to example embodiments} herein, to improve the BFW interpolation. A_{ction 501. Determining BFW subcarrier index} _{This action is similar to Action 304 mentioned earlier in which the first RAN node} _{111 determines the BFW subcarrier index from which the BFW is derived. The BFW} subcarrier index indicated from the first RAN node 111 to the second RAN node 112 is the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier of current PRB bundle. The channel estimation corresponding to the subcarrier associated with the BFW subcarrier index is _{selected for BFW calculation at the first RAN node 111. The used channel estimation is} _{related to SRS configuration of transmission comb in terms of transmission comb value} _{represented as ^TC and comb offset represented as ^^TC. The transmission comb when} _{used herein means a set of subcarriers used for comb-shaped transmission of SRS. The} _{comb value when used herein means the subcarrier density of the transmission comb.} _{The comb offset when used herein means the subcarrier offset of the transmission comb.} For example, with same ^_TC = 4, different ^^{^} _TC such as e.g., ^^{^} _TC =0 and ^^{^} _TC =2 have different SRS resource mapping in frequency domain, so that the selected subcarrier _{index for BFW calculation is different for UEs with ^^TC =0 and UEs with ^^TC =2. Figure 6a} _{and 6b illustrate the determination of the BFW subcarrier index for different comb offset of} ^^{^} _TC =0 and ^^{^} _TC =2, respectively. In this case, subcarrier index 12 and subcarrier index 14 are selected for BFW calculation in case of ^^{^} _TC =0 and ^^{^} _TC =2 respectively, as shown in Figure 6. A_{ction 502. Indicating BFW subcarrier index} This action is similar to Actions 305 and 401 mentioned earlier. Considering O-RAN architecture in this example, SE11 may be used for transmitting the information related to the BFW corresponding to the PRB bundles from the first RAN node 111 e.g., O-DU to _{the second RAN node 112 e.g., O-RU. This transmission may be through the control} section of C-plane in the O-RAN. According to example embodiments herein, in addition _{to the BFW comprised in the bfwI and bfwQ and continuity indication comprised in the} _{contInd, a parameter corresponding to the BFW subcarrier index associated with the} _{subcarrier used to calculate the BFW is indicated in the transmission as seen highlighted} _{in Figure 5. This parameter is denoted by bfwScIdx.} According to example embodiments disclosed herein, there are two approaches to indicating the BFW subcarrier index from the first RAN node 111 to the second RAN node 112. Figure 7 illustrates the BFW subcarrier index indication per control section in the case of O-RAN. As described earlier in Action 305, in case the BFW subcarrier index is common for all PRB bundles in the control section, a common BFW subcarrier index may _{be added as part of section header, as shown in Figure 7. This indicates the second RAN} _{node 112 to apply the sent BFW subcarrier index to all the PRB bundles associated with} _{the section. Figure 8 on the other hand e.g., illustrates the BFW subcarrier index} indication per PRB bundle in the control section in the case of O-RAN. A flexible way to _{indicate BFW subcarrier index is to send the BFW subcarrier index in every PRB bundle} _{of the control section as shown in Figure 8, so that each PRB bundle may have different} BFW subcarrier index. For example, the first and last PRB bundle may have different _{approaches to selectsubcarriers used to derive the BFW.} _{Action 503. Performing BFW interpolation based on indicated BFW subcarrier index} _{This action is similar to Action 402 in which the second RAN node 112 e.g., O-RU} _{performs BFW interpolation precisely based on the indicated BFW subcarrier index. This} way by using the same BFW subcarrier index at the first RAN node 111 and the second RAN node 112, the performance of beamforming at the second RAN node 112 is improved. Figure 9 illustrates the BFW interpolation. The BFW subcarrier index of the PRB bundle ^, relative to the first subcarrier of first PRB bundle can be determined at the _{second RAN node 112 as follows.} w_{here ^^ is the BFW subcarrier index for PRB bundle ^ determined by the second} _{RAN node 112 relative to the first subcarrier of first PRB bundle. ^^^ is the BFW subcarrier} _{index for PRB bundle ^ indicated by the first RAN node 111 relative to the first subcarrier} of PRB bundle ^. ^ _^^ _{^^^_^^^^^^ is the number of subcarriers per PRB bundle.} _{After determination of the BFW subcarrier index, the BFW interpolation may then} _{be performed as described in Action 402 by using different methods as following.} _{Linear BFW interpolation: For the subcarrier index ^ of PRB bundle ^, the BFW per} _{Transceiver (TRX) is calculated by using linear interpolation between two sample points} from adjacent PRB bundles, expressed by w_{here ^^ denotes the indicated BFW from the first RAN node 111 to the second} _{RAN node 112 for PRB bundle ^.} Quadratic polynomial interpolation: The quadratic polynomial interpolation among three sample points from adjacent PRB bundles is expressed by T_{hird order polynomial interpolation: The third order polynomial interpolation among} four sample points from adjacent PRB bundles is expressed by Cubic convolution interpolation: The cubic convolution interpolation among four sample points from adjacent PRB bundles is expressed by ^_{(^) = ^^^^^(^ + 1) + ^^^(^) + ^^^^^(^ − 1)+^^^^^(^ − 2)} where C_{ubic spline interpolation: The cubic spline interpolation for subcarrier index ^ of} _{PRB bundle ^ is expressed by} _{^(^) = ^^ + ^^(^ − ^^) + ^^(^ − ^^)^ + ^^(^ − ^^)}^ w_{here ^^ , ^^ , ^^ , ^^ are piecewise polynomial coefficients and may be determined} based on the principle of cubic spline interpolation among sample points from all continuous PRB bundles. As described in example embodiments in Action 301, another way of indicating the BFW subcarrier index from the first RAN node 111 to the second RAN node 112 may be _{by agreeing to use the pre-defined BFW subcarrier index such as e.g., the middle point of} _{PRB bundle. In these embodiments, the selection of a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index} enables the first RAN node 111 and the second RAN node 112 to use the same BFW subcarrier index for calculation of BFW and performing interpolation of BFW, respectively. _{In these embodiments, the first RAN node 111 ensures that the BFW is calculated from} _{the subcarrier corresponding to the pre-defined BFW subcarrier index. The calculation of} _{the BFW may be by either channel interpolation or BFW interpolation. In such a case, for} _{example, as shown in Figure 6b, for the case of ^^TC =2, the first RAN node 111 may select} _{the pre-defined subcarrier index say e.g., subcarrier index 12 to calculate the BFW rather} _{than selecting subcarrier index 14 as shown in Figure 6b.} Example embodiments herein are applicable to the O-RAN architecture and other _{standards related to beamforming for both DL and UL. The following O-RAN} specifications may be directly impacted such as e.g., CUS-plane: O-RAN.WG4.CUS.0- R003. T_{o perform the method actions above, the first RAN node 111 is configured to assist} the second RAN node 112 to perform beamforming in the MIMO antenna system of the communications network 100. The first RAN node 111 is communicating with the second _{RAN node 112 in the packet of the RAN 110 in the communications network 100. This} _{communicating is related to the BFW for the PRB bundle transmitted in the packet. The} PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. T_{he first RAN node 111 may comprise an arrangement depicted in Figure 10. The} _{first RAN node 111 may comprise an input and output interface 1000 configured to} communicate in the communications network 100, e.g., with the second RAN node 112. The input and output interface 1000 may comprise a wireless receiver not shown, and a wireless transmitter not shown. T_{he first RAN node 111 is further configured to obtain the subcarrier for calculating} the BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet, which subcarrier is adapted to be associated _{with the BFW subcarrier index. The first RAN node 111 is further configured to calculate} the BFW for the PRB bundle based on the obtained subcarrier. The first RAN node 111 is further configured to assist the second RAN node 112 to perform beamforming by sending to the second RAN node 112, one or more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index associated with the obtained subcarrier. In some embodiments, the obtaining of the subcarrier for calculating BFW for the _{PRB bundle in the packet is based on any one out of: selecting the subcarrier related to} _{the PRB bundle in the packet, and selecting the pre-defined BFW subcarrier index,} adapted to be agreed with the second RAN node 112, for calculating the BFW in the RAN 110. I_{n some embodiments, the first RAN node 111 further configured to determine the} BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier selected for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle. In some embodiments, the sent calculated BFW and the sent BFW subcarrier index is adapted to enable the second RAN node 112 to perform interpolation of the sent BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said _{packet. This interpolation is adapted to be based on the received BFW subcarrier index.} In some embodiments, the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the obtained subcarrier for the PRB bundle in the packet is adapted to comprise the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. I_{n some embodiments, the sent BFW subcarrier index is adapted to be comprised in} _{any one out of: the packet header, the PRB bundle.} _{To perform the method actions above, the second RAN node 112 is configured to} _{perform beamforming in the MIMO antenna system of the communications network 100.} _{The second RAN node 112 is communicating with the first RAN node 111 in the packet of} _{the RAN 110 in the communications network 100. The communicating is related to the} BFW for the PRB bundle transmitted in the packet. The PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs. T_{he second RAN node 112 may comprise an arrangement depicted in Figure 11.} _{The second RAN node 112 may comprise an input and output interface 1100} _{configured to communicate in the communications network 100, e.g., with the first RAN} node 111. The input and output interface 1100 may comprise a wireless receiver not shown, and a wireless transmitter not shown. T_{he second RAN node 112 is further configured to receive, from the first RAN node} 111, one or more out of: the calculated BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet of the RAN 110, and the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier adapted to be obtained for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle. _{The second RAN node 112 is further configured to perform beamforming by} interpolating the received calculated BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet. This interpolating is adapted to be based on the received BFW subcarrier index. In some embodiments, the receiving of the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for calculating BFW for the PRB bundle is based on any one out of: receiving the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier that is selected _{related to the PRB bundle in the packet, and agreeing with the first RAN node 111 to} _{apply the pre-defined BFW subcarrier index for interpolating the BFW in the second RAN} node 112. In some embodiments, the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for the PRB bundle in the packet is adapted to comprise the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. In some embodiments, the received subcarrier index is adapted to be comprised in _{any one out of: the packet header, the PRB bundle.} Embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the respective processor 1010 of a processing circuitry in the _{first RAN node 111 depicted in Figure 10, and processor 1110 of a processing circuitry in} _{the second RAN node 112 depicted in Figure 11 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 respective first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112. 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 respective first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112.} The first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112 may further comprise a respective memory 1020 and memory 1120 comprising one or more memory units. The respective memory 1020 and memory 1120 comprises instructions executable by the processor in the respective first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112. The respective memory 1020 and memory 1120 are 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 respective first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112. I_{n some embodiments, a respective computer program 1030 and computer} _{program 1130 comprises instructions, which when executed by the respective at least} one processor 1010 and processor 1110, cause the at least one processor of respective first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112 to perform the actions above. I_{n some embodiments, a respective carrier 1040 and carrier 1140 comprises the} respective computer program 1030 and computer program 1130, wherein the respective carrier 1040 and carrier 1140 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. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that units in the respective first RAN node 111 _{and second RAN node 112 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 respective first RAN node 111 and second RAN node 112, that when} executed by the respective 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). F_{igure 12 shows an example of a communication system QQ100 in accordance} with some embodiments. 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. Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O- CU-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 O-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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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 IoT services to yet further UEs. 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).} 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 IoT devices. 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. F_{igure 13 shows a UE QQ200 in accordance with some embodiments. The UE} QQ200 presents additional details of some embodiments of the UE QQ112 of Figure 12. 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., first RAN node 111 and second _{RAN node 112 and/or other UEs such as e.g., UE 121. 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-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. 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). 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 10. 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. 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. 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. 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 (eUICC), 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (IoT) 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 IoT 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 smart watch, 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 IoT device comprises circuitry and/or software in dependence of the intended application of _{the IoT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE QQ200} shown in Figure 13. As yet another specific example, in an IoT 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-IoT 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. 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. F_{igure 14 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). 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- cell/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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. Embodiments of the network node QQ300 may include additional components _{beyond those shown in Figure 14 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 108 of FIG. QQ1, some components, such as the radio front-end circuitry QQ318 and the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 may be omitted. F_{igure 15 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 O-2 interface. Virtualization may facilitate distributed implementations of a network node, UE, core network node, or host. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 non- limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of". The embodiments herein are not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Claims

CLAIMS 1_{. A method performed by a first Radio Access Network, RAN, node (111) for} assisting a second RAN node (112) to perform beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, antenna system of a communications network (100), wherein the first RAN node (111) is communicating with the second RAN node (112) in a packet of a RAN (110) in the communications network (100), which communicating is related to a Beamforming Weight, BFW, for a Physical Resource Block, PRB, bundle transmitted in the packet, which PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs, the method comprising: obtaining (302) a subcarrier for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet, which subcarrier is associated with a BFW subcarrier index, calculating (303) the BFW for the PRB bundle based on the obtained subcarrier, assisting the second RAN node (112) to perform beamforming by sending (305) to the second RAN node (112), one or more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index associated with the obtained subcarrier. 2_{. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining (302) of the subcarrier for} calculating BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet is based on any one out of: selecting (301a) the subcarrier related to the PRB bundle in the packet, and selecting (301b) a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index, agreed with the second RAN node (112), for calculating the BFW in the RAN (110). 3_{. The method according to any of claims 1-2, the method further comprising:} determining (304) the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier selected for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle. 4_{. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the sent (305) calculated BFW} and the sent (305) BFW subcarrier index enables the second RAN node (112) to perform interpolation of the sent BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet, which interpolation is based on the received BFW subcarrier index. _{5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the BFW subcarrier index} corresponding to the obtained (302) subcarrier for the PRB bundle in the packet comprises the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said P_{RB bundle in said packet.} _{6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the sent (305) BFW subcarrier} index is comprised in any one out of: a packet header, the PRB bundle. _{7. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor,} causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the claims 1-6. _{8. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 7, wherein the carrier 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. _{9. A method performed by a second Radio Access Network, RAN, node (112) for} performing beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, antenna system of a communications network (100), wherein the second RAN node (112) is c_{ommunicating with a first RAN node (111) in a packet of a RAN (110) in the} communications network (100), which communicating is related to a Beamforming Weight, BFW, for a Physical Resource Block, PRB, bundle transmitted in the packet, which PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs, the method comprising: receiving (401), from the first RAN node (111), one or more out of: a calculated BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet of the RAN (110), and a_{BFW subcarrier index corresponding to a subcarrier obtained for} calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle, performing beamforming by interpolating (402) the received calculated BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet, which interpolating is based on the received BFW subcarrier index. _{10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the receiving (401) of the BFW} subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for calculating BFW for the PRB bundle is based on any one out of: receiving (401a) the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier that is selected related to the PRB bundle in the packet, and agreeing (401b) with the first RAN node (111) to apply a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index for interpolating the BFW in the second RAN node (112). _{11. The method according to any of claims 9-10, wherein the BFW subcarrier index} corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for the PRB bundle in the packet comprises the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. _{12. The method according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the received (401) subcarrier} index is comprised in any one out of: a packet header, the PRB bundle. _{13. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor,} causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the claims 9-12. _{14. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 13, wherein the carrier 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. _{15. A first Radio Access Network, RAN, node (111) configured to assist a second RAN} node (112) to perform beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, antenna system of a communications network (100), wherein the first RAN node (_{111) is communicating with the second RAN node (112) in a packet of a RAN} (110) in the communications network (100), which communicating is related to a Beamforming Weight, BFW, for a Physical Resource Block, PRB, bundle transmitted in the packet, which PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs, the first RAN node (111) further configured to: obtain a subcarrier for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet, which subcarrier is adapted to be associated with a BFW subcarrier index, calculate the BFW for the PRB bundle based on the obtained subcarrier, assist the second RAN node (112) to perform beamforming by sending to the second RAN node (112), one or more out of: the calculated BFW and the BFW subcarrier index associated with the obtained subcarrier. _{16. The first RAN node (111) according to claim 15, wherein the obtaining of the} subcarrier for calculating BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet is based on any one out of: selecting the subcarrier related to the PRB bundle in the packet, and selecting a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index, adapted to be agreed with the second RAN node (112), for calculating the BFW in the RAN (110). _{17. The first RAN node (111) according to any of claims 15-16, the first RAN node} (111) further configured to determine the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier selected for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle. _{18. The first RAN node (111) according to any of claims 15-17, wherein the sent} calculated BFW and the sent BFW subcarrier index is adapted to enable the second RAN node (112) to perform interpolation of the sent BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet, which interpolation is adapted to be based on the received BFW subcarrier index. _{19. The first RAN node (111) according to any of claims 15-18, wherein the BFW} subcarrier index corresponding to the obtained subcarrier for the PRB bundle in the packet is adapted to comprise the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. _{20. The first RAN node (111) according to any of claims 15-19, wherein the sent BFW} subcarrier index is adapted to be comprised in any one out of: a packet header, the PRB bundle. _{21. A second Radio Access Network, RAN, node (112) configured to perform} beamforming in a Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO, antenna system of a communications network (100), wherein the second RAN node (112) is communicating with a first RAN node (111) in a packet of a RAN (110) in the communications network (100), which communicating is related to a Beamforming Weight, BFW, for a Physical Resource Block, PRB, bundle transmitted in the packet, which PRB bundle comprises one or more PRBs, the second RAN node (112) further configured to: receive, from the first RAN node (111), one or more out of: a calculated BFW for the PRB bundle in the packet of the RAN (110), and a_{BFW subcarrier index corresponding to a subcarrier adapted to} be obtained for calculating the BFW for the PRB bundle, perform beamforming by interpolating the received calculated BFW corresponding to the PRB bundle in the packet, across adjacent PRB bundles in said packet, which interpolating is adapted to be based on the received BFW subcarrier index. _{22. The second RAN node (112) according to claim 21, wherein the receiving of the} BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for calculating BFW for the PRB bundle is based on any one out of: receiving the BFW subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier that is selected related to the PRB bundle in the packet, and agreeing with the first RAN node (111) to apply a pre-defined BFW subcarrier index for interpolating the BFW in the second RAN node (112). _{23. The second RAN node (112) according to any of claims 21-22, wherein the BFW} subcarrier index corresponding to the subcarrier obtained for the PRB bundle in the packet is adapted to comprise the subcarrier offset relative to the first subcarrier corresponding to said PRB bundle in said packet. _{24. The second RAN node (112) according to any of claims 21-23, wherein the} received subcarrier index is adapted to be comprised in any one out of: a packet header, the PRB bundle.