System and method for redirection to optimal antenna arrays

A non-transitory computer-readable media comprising executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a network device comprising one or more processors to perform operations in a radio access network (RAN) for directing a user equipment (UE) connecting to a first network based on evolved packet system fallback (ESPFB) procedures or inter radio access technology handover (IRATHO) procedures from a second network to an optimal antenna array, the executable instructions comprising the steps of:

• determining that the UE is connecting to the first network from the second network, wherein the first network is a long term evolution (LTE) network or a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network and the second network is a 5G standalone (SA) network;
• determining, at the second network, whether the UE is in a data session or in a non-data session based on a last-assigned 5G quality of service indicator (5QI) bearer of the UE;
• automatically assigning the UE to a first antenna array on the first network having a first multiple input multiple output (MIMO) configuration when the UE is determined to be in the data session;
• and
• automatically assigning the UE to a second antenna array on the first network that is associated with different LTE layers than the first antenna array and that has a second MIMO configuration with fewer layers than the first MIMO configuration when the UE is determined to be in the non-data session.

A system for directing a user equipment (UE) connecting to a first network based on evolved packet system fallback (ESPFB) procedures or inter radio access technology handover (IRATHO) procedures from a second network to an optimal antenna array, the system comprising:

• a network device comprising one or more processors;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable media comprising executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause the network device to perform operations in a radio access network (RAN), the executable instructions comprising the steps of:
• determining that the UE is connecting to the first network from the second network, wherein the first network is a long term evolution (LTE) network or a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network and the second network is a 5G standalone (SA) network;
• determining, at the second network, whether the UE is in a data session or in a non-data session based on a last-assigned 5G quality of service indicator (5QI) bearer of the UE;
• automatically assigning the UE to a first antenna array on the first network having a first multiple input multiple output (MIMO) configuration when the UE is determined to be in the data session;
• and
• automatically assigning the UE to a second antenna array on the first network that is associated with different LTE layers than the first antenna array and that has a second MIMO configuration with fewer layers than the first MIMO configuration when the UE is determined to be in the non-data session.