Communication using a dual polarized antenna array

An antenna array control unit for communication in a wireless access network utilizing a dual polarized antenna array, the antenna array comprising antenna elements of a first polarization and of a second polarization, the antenna array control unit comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the antenna array control unit to:

• transmit a first signal via a transmit antenna port in a transmit beam on a first link of the wireless access network, wherein
• the transmit antenna port is connected to the antenna elements of both the first polarization and the second polarization, and
• the transmit beam utilizes the antenna elements of both the first polarization and the second polarization;
• receive a second signal on a second link of the wireless access network via a first receive antenna port in a first receive beam and via a second receive antenna port in a second receive beam;
• and
• combine the second signal as received via the first receive antenna port in the first receive beam with the second signal as received via the second receive antenna port in the second receive beam, wherein
• the first receive antenna port is connected to antenna elements of the first polarization,
• the first receive antenna port is not connected to any antenna element of the second polarization,
• the second receive antenna port is connected to antenna elements of the second polarization,
• the second receive antenna port is not connected to any antenna element of the second polarization,
• at least 75% of the total power of the transmit beam is within a first angular interval,
• at least 75% of the total power of the first receive beam is within the first angular interval,
• at least 75% of the total power of the second receive beam is within the first angular interval,
• the transmit beam has a main lobe,
• the first receive beam has a main lobe,
• the second receive beam has a main lobe, and
• the first angular interval encompasses:
• i) the main lobe of the transmit beam, ii) the main lobe of the first receive beam, and iii) the main lobe of the second receive beam.

A non-transitory computer readable storing medium storing a computer program for communication in a wireless access network utilizing a dual polarized antenna array, the antenna array comprising antenna elements of a first polarization and of a second polarization, the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of an antenna array control unit causes the antenna array control unit to:

• transmit a first signal via a transmit antenna port in a transmit beam on a first link of the wireless access network, wherein
• the transmit antenna port is connected to the antenna elements of both the first polarization and the second polarization, and
• the transmit beam utilizes the antenna elements of both the first polarization and the second polarization;
• receive a second signal on a second link of the wireless access network via a first receive antenna port in a first receive beam and via a second receive antenna port in a second receive beam;
• and
• combine the second signal as received via the first receive antenna port in the first receive beam with the second signal as received via the second receive antenna port in the second receive beam, wherein
• the first receive antenna port is connected to antenna elements of the first polarization,
• the first receive antenna port is not connected to any antenna element of the second polarization,
• the second receive antenna port is connected to antenna elements of the second polarization,
• the second receive antenna port is not connected to any antenna element of the second polarization,
• at least 75% of the total power of the transmit beam is within a first angular interval,
• at least 75% of the total power of the first receive beam is within the first angular interval,
• at least 75% of the total power of the second receive beam is within the first angular interval,
• the transmit beam has a main lobe,
• the first receive beam has a main lobe,
• the second receive beam has a main lobe, and
• the first angular interval encompasses:
• i) the main lobe of the transmit beam, ii) the main lobe of the first receive beam, and iii) the main lobe of the second receive beam.