Operating a ran node that has a mimo antenna array

A method of communicating between a first radio access network (RAN) node and one or more user equipments (UEs) wherein the first RAN node comprises a central multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) antenna array, and wherein the communication network comprises a plurality of repeater nodes for the first RAN node, the method comprising:

• in operating the first RAN node;
• obtaining channel information for communication channels between the central MIMO antenna array and one or more UEs, wherein one or more of the communication channels are via one or more of the repeater nodes;
• computing one or more repeater weights based on the obtained channel information, wherein the repeater weight is for adjusting a power and/or phase of signals repeated by one or more of the repeater nodes;
• and
• sending the one or more computed repeater weights to the repeater nodes, and
• in a repeater node:
• receiving the one or more repeater weights from the first RAN node;
• receiving a transmission from one of the UEs or the first RAN node;
• and
• repeating the received transmission according to the received one or more repeater weights.

A first radio access network (RAN) node for use in a communication network, wherein the first RAN node comprises a central multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) antenna array, and wherein the communication network comprises a plurality of repeater nodes for the first RAN node, the first RAN node comprising a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said first RAN node is operative to:

• obtain channel information for communication channels between the central MIMO antenna array and one or more UEs, wherein one or more of the communication channels are via one or more of the repeater nodes;
• compute one or more repeater weights based on the obtained channel information, wherein the repeater weight is for adjusting a power and/or phase of signals repeated by one or more of the repeater nodes;
• and
• send the one or more computed repeater weights to the repeater nodes.