Methods and devices for beamforming optimization

A method for scheduling signals for beam-formed communication, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• selecting a first set of beamforming vectors among at least two first sets of beamforming vectors, said first set of beamforming vectors corresponding to a highest estimated total throughput for a first signal to be scheduled for beamformed communication in a first direction under intended prevailing radio conditions;
• said at least two first sets of beamforming vectors being designed to give a beam in said first direction for a given polarization;
• said at least two first sets of beamforming vectors presenting different tapering and/or non-tapering;
• and
• initiating a transmission of a first beam index assigned to said first signal;
• wherein said first beam index defines said first selected set of beamforming vectors;
• characterized in that said beam index has a part beam index defining if the beamforming is a single-user beamforming or a multi-user beamforming.

A radio frequency unit configured to provide signals for beamformed communication,

• wherein the radio frequency unit is configured to retrieve, from a memory, first vector-associated data defined by an obtained first beam index;
• said first beam index being assigned to a first signal;
• said first signal being scheduled to be communicated by beamforming in a first direction;
• said memory having stored therein vector-associated data characterizing at least two sets of beamforming vectors for each polarization and for each one of a plurality of beam directions;
• said at least two sets of beamforming vectors for each polarization and for each one of a plurality of directions presenting different tapering and/or non-tapering;
• whereby said first vector-associated data characterizing a first selected set of beamforming vectors, being designed to give a beam in said first direction;
• wherein said first beam index comprises information for defining vector-associated data characterizing a particular one of said at least two sets of beamforming vectors for said first direction;
• and
• wherein the radio frequency unit is further configured to initiate a beamforming for said first signal by use of said vector-associated data characterizing said first selected set of beamforming vectors;
• characterized in that said beam index has a part beam index defining a partition of said data characterizing said sets of beamforming vectors of said memory, which partition being associated with vector-associated data of only one set of beamforming vectors for each polarization and for each one of a plurality of directions.

A network node configured to schedule signals for beamformed communication,

• wherein the network node is configured to select a first set of beamforming vectors among at least two first sets of beamforming vectors, said first set of beamforming vectors corresponding to a highest estimated total throughput for a first signal to be scheduled for beamformed communication in a first direction under intended prevailing radio conditions;
• said at least two first sets of beamforming vectors being designed to give a beam in said first direction for a given polarization;
• said at least two first sets of beamforming vectors presenting different tapering and/or non-tapering;
• and
• wherein the network node is further configured to initiate a transmission of a first beam index assigned to said first signal;
• wherein said first beam index defines said first selected set of beamforming vectors;
• characterized in that said beam index has a part beam index defining if the beamforming is a single-user beamforming or a multi-user beamforming.