Network element, integrated circuit and method of assigning channels

摘要

A network element, or a method of controlling an antenna array arrangement, comprises: a plurality of antenna element feeds coupling via an interface with a plurality of radio frequency circuits which are connectable to a plurality of channels and where a signal processor applies a signal to a channel or an antenna element feed and detects the presence of the signal in the feed to at least one antenna element feed or to at least one channel and then records the detected relationships between the antenna element feeds and the channels. The applied signal may be a pilot signal. The recorded relationships can then be used in dynamically assigning and establishing desired signal connections between logical channels and the antenna elements during the operation of an antenna array. The network element and method may form part of an automatic self test system for an active antenna array arrangement. A computer program product may be arranged to perform the method and the physical channels associated with antenna element feeds may include respective radio frequency transceiver circuits.