WO2024157048A1

WO2024157048A1 - Apparatus and method for adaptive digital sectorization

Info

Publication number: WO2024157048A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/050648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hamza SOKUN; Alireza MIRZAEE; Israfil Bahceci
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2023-01-25
Filing date: 2023-01-25
Publication date: 2024-08-02

Abstract

Apparatus and method for adaptive digital sectorization are provided. A method of operating a base station for enabling digital sectorization includes obtaining (700) one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for a cell provided by the base station; and determining (702) to alter a current digital sectorization status for the cell based on the one or more obtained values. In this way, the proposed adaptive algorithm can help the baseline digital sectorization solution to become more energy-efficient in low and medium traffic load scenarios, since digital sectorization will be used only when it is really needed.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE DIGITAL SECTORIZATION Technical Field [0001] The current disclosure relates generally to antenna sectorization. Background [0002] A traditional cellular site has three antenna modules, each covering a 120- degree sector. Each sector operates as an independent cell. Hence, a “traditional site” is sometimes called as “3-cell site” as is shown in Figure 1. To enhance overall network capacity in an area, one of the effective solutions is to use the densification strategy of hard-sectorization as is shown in Figure 2. This densification strategy enables the number of available Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) (frequency reuse) to be increased. For instance, the traditional 3-sector site has a total of 3*n PRBs (e.g., assuming each cell has n PRBs), whereas the 6-sector site with hard-sectorization can enjoy a total of 6*n PRBs. [0003] There are mainly two disadvantages with the densification strategy of hard- sectorization. This densification strategy requires additional hardware usage. Also, this densification strategy creates an environment with higher inter-cell interference, depending on antenna patterns (e.g., depending on how effectively neighboring sectors are isolated from each other). Improved systems and methods for antenna sectorization are needed. Summary [0004] Systems and methods for adaptive digital sectorization are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operating a base station for enabling digital sectorization includes obtaining one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for a cell provided by the base station; and determining to alter a current digital sectorization status for the cell based on the one or more obtained values. [0005] To improve the viability of digital sectorization, some embodiments disclosed herein include an adaptive algorithm that decides whether to employ/create an extra digital sector and/or determine the number of digital sectors according to both cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level PRB efficiency which are observed for a pre-defined period of time. In some embodiments, to estimate traffic load in the cell, PRB utilization and/or the number of Radio Resource Control (RRC)-connected users in both downlink and uplink are observed on a regular basis (e.g., on the order of seconds, e.g., 1 second). In this way, the proposed adaptive algorithm can help the baseline digital sectorization solution to become more energy-efficient in low and medium traffic load scenarios, since digital sectorization will be used only when it is really needed. [0006] In some embodiments, determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises one of the group consisting of: determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell; determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; determining to increase the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell. [0007] In some embodiments, the cell-level efficiency for the cell includes a cell-level Physical Resource Block (PRB) efficiency. [0008] In some embodiments, the one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for the cell are observed for a pre-defined period of time. [0009] In some embodiments, the one or more values related to cell-level traffic load are based on PRB utilization and/or the number of RRC-connected users. [0010] In some embodiments, determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell includes: upon determining that the cell is in a low or medium traffic load scenario, performing one of the group consisting of: determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to increase the number of digital sectors for the cell. [0011] In some embodiments, determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell includes: upon determining that the cell is in a high traffic load scenario, performing one of the group consisting of: determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell. [0012] In some embodiments, determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell includes: upon determining that the cell-level efficiency for the cell is below a threshold, performing one of the group consisting of: determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell. [0013] In some embodiments, determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell includes: providing a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status. [0014] In some embodiments, providing a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status includes: upon determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell, decreasing a transmit power for the cell while adding the transmit power to one or more other cells provided by the base station. [0015] In some embodiments, providing a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status includes: upon determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell, increasing the transmit power for the cell while reducing the transmit power to one or more other cells provided by the base station. Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. [0017] Figure 1 illustrates a “traditional site”, sometimes called as “3-cell site” where each site contains three antennas; [0018] Figure 2 illustrates a densification strategy of hard-sectorization where each site contains six antennas; [0019] Figure 3 illustrates one example of a cellular communications system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0020] Figure 4 illustrates a densification strategy called digital sectorization; [0021] Figure 5 illustrates a single antenna array and RF front-end are used to implement two digital sectors; [0022] Figure 6 illustrates an example operation of a configurable digital sectorization; [0023] Figure 7 illustrates a method of operating a base station for enabling digital sectorization, according to some embodiments; [0024] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a radio access node according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0025] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates a virtualized embodiment of the radio access node of Figure 8 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0026] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of the radio access node of Figure 8 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; [0027] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a User Equipment device (UE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0028] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of the UE of Figure 11 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; [0029] Figure 13 illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0030] Figure 14 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0031] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; [0032] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; [0033] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0034] Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description [0035] The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure. [0036] Radio Node: As used herein, a “radio node” is either a radio access node or a wireless communication device. [0037] Radio Access Node: As used herein, a “radio access node” or “radio network node” or “radio access network node” is any node in a Radio Access Network (RAN) of a cellular communications network that operates to wirelessly transmit and/or receive signals. Some examples of a radio access node include, but are not limited to, a base station (e.g., a New Radio (NR) base station (gNB) in a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G) NR network or an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), a high-power or macro base station, a low-power base station (e.g., a micro base station, a pico base station, a home eNB, or the like), a relay node, a network node that implements part of the functionality of a base station or a network node that implements a gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU)) or a network node that implements part of the functionality of some other type of radio access node. [0038] Core Network Node: As used herein, a “core network node” is any type of node in a core network or any node that implements a core network function. Some examples of a core network node include, e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or the like. Some other examples of a core network node include a node implementing an Access and Mobility Function (AMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Session Management Function (SMF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a Network Exposure Function (NEF), a Network Function (NF) Repository Function (NRF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), or the like. [0039] Communication Device: As used herein, a “communication device” is any type of device that has access to an access network. Some examples of a communication device include, but are not limited to: mobile phone, smart phone, sensor device, meter, vehicle, household appliance, medical appliance, media player, camera, or any type of consumer electronic, for instance, but not limited to, a television, radio, lighting arrangement, tablet computer, laptop, or Personal Computer (PC). The communication device may be a portable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle- mounted mobile device, enabled to communicate voice and/or data via a wireless or wireline connection. [0040] Wireless Communication Device: One type of communication device is a wireless communication device, which may be any type of wireless device that has access to (i.e., is served by) a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network). Some examples of a wireless communication device include, but are not limited to: a User Equipment device (UE) in a 3GPP network, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, and an Internet of Things (IoT) device. Such wireless communication devices may be, or may be integrated into, a mobile phone, smart phone, sensor device, meter, vehicle, household appliance, medical appliance, media player, camera, or any type of consumer electronic, for instance, but not limited to, a television, radio, lighting arrangement, tablet computer, laptop, or PC. The wireless communication device may be a portable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile device, enabled to communicate voice and/or data via a wireless connection. [0041] Network Node: As used herein, a “network node” is any node that is either part of the RAN or the core network of a cellular communications network/system. [0042] Transmission/Reception Point (TRP): In some embodiments, a TRP may be either a network node, a radio head, a spatial relation, or a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state. A TRP may be represented by a spatial relation or a TCI state in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a TRP may be using multiple TCI states. In some embodiments, a TRP may a part of the gNB transmitting and receiving radio signals to/from UE according to physical layer properties and parameters inherent to that element. In some embodiments, in Multiple TRP (multi-TRP) operation, a serving cell can schedule UE from two TRPs, providing better Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) coverage, reliability and/or data rates. There are two different operation modes for multi-TRP: single Downlink Control Information (DCI) and multi- DCI. For both modes, control of uplink and downlink operation is done by both physical layer and Medium Access Control (MAC). In single-DCI mode, UE is scheduled by the same DCI for both TRPs and in multi-DCI mode, UE is scheduled by independent DCIs from each TRP. [0043] In some embodiments, a set Transmission Points (TPs) is a set of geographically co-located transmit antennas (e.g., an antenna array (with one or more antenna elements)) for one cell, part of one cell or one Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) -only TP. TPs can include base station (eNB) antennas, Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of a PRS-only TP, etc. One cell can be formed by one or multiple TPs. For a homogeneous deployment, each TP may correspond to one cell. [0044] In some embodiments, a set of TRPs is a set of geographically co-located antennas (e.g., an antenna array (with one or more antenna elements)) supporting TP and/or Reception Point (RP) functionality. [0045] Note that the description given herein focuses on a 3GPP cellular communications system and, as such, 3GPP terminology or terminology similar to 3GPP terminology is oftentimes used. However, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to a 3GPP system. [0046] Note that, in the description herein, reference may be made to the term “cell”; however, particularly with respect to 5G NR concepts, beams may be used instead of cells and, as such, it is important to note that the concepts described herein are equally applicable to both cells and beams. [0047] Figure 3 illustrates one example of a cellular communications system 300 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the embodiments described herein, the cellular communications system 300 is a 5G system (5GS) including a Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) and a 5G Core (5GC) or an Evolved Packet System (EPS) including an Evolved Universal Terrestrial RAN (E-UTRAN) and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). In this example, the RAN includes base stations 302-1 and 302-2, which in the 5GS include NR base stations (gNBs) and optionally next generation eNBs (ng-eNBs) (e.g., LTE RAN nodes connected to the 5GC) and in the EPS include eNBs, controlling corresponding (macro) cells 304-1 and 304-2. The base stations 302- 1 and 302-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as base stations 302 and individually as base station 302. Likewise, the (macro) cells 304-1 and 304-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as (macro) cells 304 and individually as (macro) cell 304. The RAN may also include a number of low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 controlling corresponding small cells 308-1 through 308-4. The low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 can be small base stations (such as pico or femto base stations) or RRHs, or the like. Notably, while not illustrated, one or more of the small cells 308-1 through 308-4 may alternatively be provided by the base stations 302. The low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as low power nodes 306 and individually as low power node 306. Likewise, the small cells 308-1 through 308-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as small cells 308 and individually as small cell 308. The cellular communications system 300 also includes a core network 310, which in the 5G System (5GS) is referred to as the 5GC. The base stations 302 (and optionally the low power nodes 306) are connected to the core network 310. [0048] The base stations 302 and the low power nodes 306 provide service to wireless communication devices 312-1 through 312-5 in the corresponding cells 304 and 308. The wireless communication devices 312-1 through 312-5 are generally referred to herein collectively as wireless communication devices 312 and individually as wireless communication device 312. In the following description, the wireless communication devices 312 are oftentimes UEs, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. [0049] As discussed above, there are mainly two disadvantages with the densification strategy of hard-sectorization. This densification strategy requires additional hardware usage. Also, this densification strategy creates an environment with higher inter-cell interference, depending on antenna patterns (e.g., depending on how effectively neighboring sectors are isolated from each other). [0050] To eliminate the first disadvantage, another densification strategy, called as digital sectorization, is proposed which is shown in Figure 4. Digital sectorization increases the number of available Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) without the need for extra hardware. As shown in Figure 5, a single antenna array and RF front-end are used to implement two digital sectors (shown as Digital Sector 1 and Digital Sector 2). [0051] The following benefits of digital sectorization have been demonstrated in the field tests. Digital sectorization increases total site throughput (bits/second) in both Uplink and Downlink, without additional hardware. Digital sectorization increases the number of users supported in dense urban environment. [0052] Compared to hard sectorization, digital sectorization can also improve overall energy-efficiency (bits/second/Joule), particularly, in high load scenarios. This improvement is since the network capacity is increased while the total power consumption remains unchanged, and only a single radio unit, rather than using several separate radio units in hard sectorization, is shared between sectors. The impact of sharing the radio units on overall energy consumption particularly becomes more pronounced in the cases when Advanced Antenna System (AAS) radio units are considered, since they consume a considerable amount of power. Due to these reasons, digital sectorization has a great potential to augment the network capacity in an energy-efficient (bits/second/joule) way for the next generation wireless networks. [0053] However, current implementation of digital sectorization have a few shortcomings. The number digital sectors are manually set by operators. Once the digital sectorization feature is enabled, there is no change in the number of digital sectors configured by the operator. Digital sectorization is mainly beneficial in high- traffic load scenarios in which network capacity really needs to be improved. However, in medium- and low-traffic load scenarios, using digital sectorization might not be beneficial. This is due to cell coverage reduction from splitting the total available power between the digital sectors and/or unnecessary signaling overhead (particularly, due to periodically transmitted signals). This can also cause unnecessary baseband resource consumption. [0054] Another shortcoming is the uunnecessary energy consumption in low traffic load. To reduce energy consumption in networks, a Symbol-Based Power Saving (SBPS) feature is sometimes used for NR and LTE. This feature enables/disables a Power Amplifier (PA) (which is usually the biggest energy consumer) in the radio unit on a symbol duration time scale. Turning off/on PAs are relatively quick processes that takes microseconds, hence the SBPS feature is commonly also called as Micro sleep TX. When no data is scheduled in the cell, it is possible to turn off the PA without degrading the performance. In some embodiments, SBPS is possible during symbols that do not carry PDSCH traffic, PDCCH, CRSs (in LTE) or any other mandatory information that has to be transmitted). Especially during low traffic hours, there exists many occasions when no traffic is scheduled during a subframe. However, when digital sectorization is enabled, the number of such occasions, in which SBPS functionality can be used and the PA can be turned off, might be reduced, since a single radio unit (i.e., power amplifiers in this radio) is shared by several sectors/cells. Improved systems and methods for antenna sectorization are needed. [0055] Systems and methods for adaptive digital sectorization are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operating a base station (such as base stations 302) for enabling digital sectorization includes obtaining one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for a cell provided by the base station; and determining to alter a current digital sectorization status for the cell based on the one or more obtained values. [0056] To improve the viability of digital sectorization, some embodiments disclosed herein include an adaptive algorithm that decides whether to employ/create an extra digital sector and/or determine the number of digital sectors according to both cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level PRB efficiency which are observed for a pre-defined period of time. In some embodiments, to estimate traffic load in the cell, PRB utilization and/or the number of Radio Resource Control (RRC)-connected users in both downlink and uplink are observed on a regular basis (e.g., on the order of seconds, e.g., 1 second). In this way, the proposed adaptive algorithm can help the baseline digital sectorization solution to become more energy-efficient in low and medium traffic load scenarios, since digital sectorization will be used only when it is really needed. [0057] The viability of digital sectorization is improved by introducing traffic-load awareness. This scheme reduces redundant signaling overhead and baseband resource consumption due to the use of digital sectorization in low- and medium-traffic load scenarios. With the proposed adaptive approach, the baseline digital sectorization solution will be more energy efficient in low and medium traffic loads. In some embodiments, the aspect of how to gracefully handle the transition from non-digital sectorization mode to digital sectorization mode (or vice versa) is addressed. The aspect of how to handle cell coverage loss to support more UEs at the cell-edges when digital sectorization enabled is addressed. In addition to that, if average PRB efficiency in the cell is below a predefined threshold, digital sectorization is avoided to support cell-edge UEs. Hence, the proposed adaptive digital sectorization is more robust and coverage-loss aware, compared to static digital sectorization. Additionally, the proposed adaptive algorithm is generic enough to apply for any number of digital sectors. [0058] Figure 6 illustrates an example operation of a configurable digital sectorization. As shown, the current traffic condition can be based on the number and/or locations of RRC-Connected users and/or the current PRB utilization. The current PRB efficiency is also used as an input in some embodiments. As shown, graceful transitions between non-digital sectorization and digital sectorization are accomplished. Determining when to make these transitions are based on the inputs discussed previously. As is shown in Figure 6, the system transitions to digital sectorization during a high traffic load. The system transitions to non-digital sectorization during a low traffic load. [0059] In some embodiments, a graceful transition between non-digital sectorization and digital sectorization (and vice versa) is beneficial. In a live network when a cell becomes unavailable abruptly, the UEs might experience outage for some time which will impact the overall Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the network. To mitigate this problem when the system dynamically switches between digital sectorization and non-digital sectorization (and vice versa), instead of abruptly removing a cell, a transmit power can be gradually decreased while adding the transmit power to the remaining cells. In this way, the UEs will gradually hand off from this cell to the remaining cells without experiencing any outages. Similarly, when adding a new cell, its power can be gradually increased while reducing the power of the other cells. [0060] Figure 7 illustrates a method of operating a base station for enabling digital sectorization, according to some embodiments. The method includes obtaining one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for a cell provided by the base station (step 700); and determining (step 702) to alter a current digital sectorization status for the cell based on the one or more obtained values. [0061] Up-to-Two Digital Sectorization [0062] In some embodiments, the two-way transition from non-digital sectorization to digital sectorization uses one or more of the following parameters: Parameter name: Description: digitalSectorizationStartTime Daily start time (UTC time) to perform digital sectorization digitalSectorizationEndTime RBS daily end time (UTC time) to stop digital sectorization. switchUpPrbThresholdDownlink Maximum percentage of DL PRB usage allowed during non-digital sectorization switchUpPrbThresholdUplink Maximum percentage of UL PRB usage allowed during non-digital sectorization switchUpRrcConnThreshold Maximum number of user connections allowed during non-digital sectorization switchUpMonitorDurTimer Digital sectorization detection duration period to enter digital sectorization. switchDownPrbThresholdDownlink Minimum threshold on DL PRB usage to exit digital sectorization. switchDownPrbThresholdUplink Minimum threshold on UL PRB usage to exit digital sectorization. switchDownRrcConnThreshold Minimum threshold on no. of RRC connections to exit digital sectorization. switchUpMonitorDurTimer Digital sectorization detection duration period to exit digital sectorization. switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink Maximum threshold on DL PRB efficiency allowed during non-digital sectorization switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink Maximum threshold on UL PRB efficiency allowed during non-digital sectorization switchDownPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink Minimum threshold on DL PRB efficiency to exit digital sectorization. switchDownPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink Minimum threshold on UL PRB efficiency to exit digital sectorization. [0063] In some embodiments, the following procedure can be used as part of the traffic load aware systems and methods for two digital sectors: dailyTimeWindowCondition: digitalSectorizationStartTime<^ and digitalSectorizationEndTime>^ If dailyTimeWindowCondition true, • upCondition: switchUpPrbThresholdDownlink<^_^ and switchUpPrbThresholdUplink<^_^ and switchUpRrcConnThreshold<^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink<^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink<^_^ • If upCondition true during switchUpMonitorDurTimer, • Trigger 2-digital-sectorization • Apply power boost for common channel • Add SINR-offset to PDCCH Link Adaptation (LA) to make more conservative • downCondition: switchDownPrbThresholdDownlink>^_^ and switchDownPrbThresholdUplink^{>^} _^ ^and switchDownRrcConnThreshold^{>^} _^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink>^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink>^_^^ • If downCondition true during switchDownMonitorDurTimer, • Go to non-digital sectorization, i.e., default, mode • Stop applying power boost for common channels • Stop adding SINR-offset to PDCCH LA End [0064] Up-to-Three Digital Sectorization [0065] In some embodiments, systems and methods of the previous section can be readily extended for more than two digital sectors. In the following example, up-to- three digital sectorization is considered. As discussed above, additional graceful transitions might be needed between non-digital sectorization, 2-digital sectorization, and 3-digital sectorization: dailyTimeWindowCondition: digitalSectorizationStartTime<^ and digitalSectorizationEndTime>^ If dailyTimeWindowCondition true, • upCondition2DigitalSector: switchUpPrbThresholdDownlink2DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpPrbThresholdUplink2DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpRrcConnThreshold2DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink2DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink2DigitalSector<^{^} _^ ^and switchUpPrbThresholdDownlink3DigitalSector>^_^ and switchUpPrbThresholdUplink3DigitalSector>^_^ and switchUpRrcConnThreshold3DigitalSector>^{^} _^ ^and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink3DigitalSector>^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink3DigitalSector>^_^ • If upCondition2DigitalSector true during switchUpMonitorDurTimer, • Trigger 2-digital-sectorization • Apply power boost for common channel • Add SINR-offset to PDCCH LA • upCondition3DigitalSector: switchUpPrbThresholdDownlink3DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpPrbThresholdUplink3DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpRrcConnThreshold3DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink3DigitalSector<^_^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink3DigitalSector<^_^^ • If upCondition3DigitalSector true during switchUpMonitorDurTimer, • Trigger 3-digital-sectorization • Apply power boost further for common channel • Add higher SINR-offset to PDCCH LA • downCondition2DigitalSector: switchDownPrbThresholdDownlink3DigitalSector>^_^^ and switchDownPrbThresholdUplink3DigitalSector>^{^} _^^ ^and switchDownRrcConnThreshold3DigitalSector>^_^^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink3DigitalSector>^_^^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink3DigitalSector>^{^} _^^ ^and switchDownPrbThresholdDownlink2DigitalSector<^_^^ and switchDownPrbThresholdUplink2DigitalSector<^_^^ and switchDownRrcConnThreshold2DigitalSector<^_^^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink2DigitalSector<^_^^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink2DigitalSector<^_^^ • If downCondition2DigitalSector true during switchDownMonitorDurTimer, • Trigger 2-digital-sectorization • Stop to apply power boost for common channels • Stop adding SINR-offset to PDCCH LA • downConditionNonDigitalSector: switchDownPrbThresholdDownlink2DigitalSector^{>^} _^^ ^and switchDownPrbThresholdUplink2DigitalSector>^_^^ and switchDownRrcConnThreshold2DigitalSector>^_^^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdDownlink2DigitalSector>^_^^ and switchUpPrbEfficiencyThresholdUplink2DigitalSector>^_^^ • If downConditionNonDigitalSector true during switchDownMonitorDurTimer, • Trigger non-digital-sectorization • Stop to apply power boost for common channels • Stop adding SINR-offset to PDCCH LA End [0066] In some embodiments, systems and methods of the previous section can be readily extended for more than three digital sectors with similar adaptations. [0067] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a radio access node 800 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Optional features are represented by dashed boxes. The radio access node 800 may be, for example, a base station 302 or 306 or a network node that implements all or part of the functionality of the base station 302 or gNB described herein. As illustrated, the radio access node 800 includes a control system 802 that includes one or more processors 804 (e.g., Central Processing Units (CPUs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and/or the like), memory 806, and a network interface 808. The one or more processors 804 are also referred to herein as processing circuitry. In addition, the radio access node 800 may include one or more radio units 810 that each includes one or more transmitters 812 and one or more receivers 814 coupled to one or more antennas 816. The radio units 810 may be referred to or be part of radio interface circuitry. In some embodiments, the radio unit(s) 810 is external to the control system 802 and connected to the control system 802 via, e.g., a wired connection (e.g., an optical cable). However, in some other embodiments, the radio unit(s) 810 and potentially the antenna(s) 816 are integrated together with the control system 802. The one or more processors 804 operate to provide one or more functions of a radio access node 800 as described herein. In some embodiments, the function(s) are implemented in software that is stored, e.g., in the memory 806 and executed by the one or more processors 804. [0068] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates a virtualized embodiment of the radio access node 800 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This discussion is equally applicable to other types of network nodes. Further, other types of network nodes may have similar virtualized architectures. Again, optional features are represented by dashed boxes. [0069] As used herein, a “virtualized” radio access node is an implementation of the radio access node 800 in which at least a portion of the functionality of the radio access node 800 is implemented as a virtual component(s) (e.g., via a virtual machine(s) executing on a physical processing node(s) in a network(s)). As illustrated, in this example, the radio access node 800 may include the control system 802 and/or the one or more radio units 810, as described above. The control system 802 may be connected to the radio unit(s) 810 via, for example, an optical cable or the like. The radio access node 800 includes one or more processing nodes 900 coupled to or included as part of a network(s) 902. If present, the control system 802 or the radio unit(s) are connected to the processing node(s) 900 via the network 902. Each processing node 900 includes one or more processors 904 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), memory 906, and a network interface 908. [0070] In this example, functions 910 of the radio access node 800 described herein are implemented at the one or more processing nodes 900 or distributed across the one or more processing nodes 900 and the control system 802 and/or the radio unit(s) 810 in any desired manner. In some particular embodiments, some or all of the functions 910 of the radio access node 800 described herein are implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in a virtual environment(s) hosted by the processing node(s) 900. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, additional signaling or communication between the processing node(s) 900 and the control system 802 is used in order to carry out at least some of the desired functions 910. Notably, in some embodiments, the control system 802 may not be included, in which case the radio unit(s) 810 communicate directly with the processing node(s) 900 via an appropriate network interface(s). [0071] In some embodiments, a computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to carry out the functionality of radio access node 800 or a node (e.g., a processing node 900) implementing one or more of the functions 910 of the radio access node 800 in a virtual environment according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided. In some embodiments, a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium such as memory). [0072] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of the radio access node 800 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The radio access node 800 includes one or more modules 1000, each of which is implemented in software. The module(s) 1000 provide the functionality of the radio access node 800 described herein. This discussion is equally applicable to the processing node 900 of Figure 9 where the modules 1000 may be implemented at one of the processing nodes 900 or distributed across multiple processing nodes 900 and/or distributed across the processing node(s) 900 and the control system 802. [0073] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 1100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the wireless communication device 1100 includes one or more processors 1102 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), memory 1104, and one or more transceivers 1106 each including one or more transmitters 1108 and one or more receivers 1110 coupled to one or more antennas 1112. The transceiver(s) 1106 includes radio-front end circuitry connected to the antenna(s) 1112 that is configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna(s) 1112 and the processor(s) 1102, as will be appreciated by on of ordinary skill in the art. The processors 1102 are also referred to herein as processing circuitry. The transceivers 1106 are also referred to herein as radio circuitry. In some embodiments, the functionality of the wireless communication device 1100 described above may be fully or partially implemented in software that is, e.g., stored in the memory 1104 and executed by the processor(s) 1102. Note that the wireless communication device 1100 may include additional components not illustrated in Figure 11 such as, e.g., one or more user interface components (e.g., an input/output interface including a display, buttons, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker(s), and/or the like and/or any other components for allowing input of information into the wireless communication device 1100 and/or allowing output of information from the wireless communication device 1100), a power supply (e.g., a battery and associated power circuitry), etc. [0074] In some embodiments, a computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to carry out the functionality of the wireless communication device 1100 according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided. In some embodiments, a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium such as memory). [0075] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of the wireless communication device 1100 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless communication device 1100 includes one or more modules 1200, each of which is implemented in software. The module(s) 1200 provide the functionality of the wireless communication device 1100 described herein. [0076] With reference to Figure 13, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 1300, such as a 3GPP- type cellular network, which comprises an access network 1302, such as a RAN, and a core network 1304. The access network 1302 comprises a plurality of base stations 1306A, 1306B, 1306C, such as Node Bs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of wireless Access Points (APs), each defining a corresponding coverage area 1308A, 1308B, 1308C. Each base station 1306A, 1306B, 1306C is connectable to the core network 1304 over a wired or wireless connection 1310. A first UE 1312 located in coverage area 1308C is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 1306C. A second UE 1314 in coverage area 1308A is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 1306A. While a plurality of UEs 1312, 1314 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 1306. [0077] The telecommunication network 1300 is itself connected to a host computer 1316, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 1316 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 1318 and 1320 between the telecommunication network 1300 and the host computer 1316 may extend directly from the core network 1304 to the host computer 1316 or may go via an optional intermediate network 1322. The intermediate network 1322 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private, or hosted network; the intermediate network 1322, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 1322 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown). [0078] The communication system of Figure 13 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 1312, 1314 and the host computer 1316. The connectivity may be described as an Over-the-Top (OTT) connection 1324. The host computer 1316 and the connected UEs 1312, 1314 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection 1324, using the access network 1302, the core network 1304, any intermediate network 1322, and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 1324 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 1324 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 1306 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from the host computer 1316 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 1312. Similarly, the base station 1306 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 1312 towards the host computer 1316. [0079] Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 14. In a communication system 1400, a host computer 1402 comprises hardware 1404 including a communication interface 1406 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 1400. The host computer 1402 further comprises processing circuitry 1408, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 1408 may comprise one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 1402 further comprises software 1410, which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 1402 and executable by the processing circuitry 1408. The software 1410 includes a host application 1412. The host application 1412 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a UE 1414 connecting via an OTT connection 1416 terminating at the UE 1414 and the host computer 1402. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 1412 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 1416. [0080] The communication system 1400 further includes a base station 1418 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 1420 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 1402 and with the UE 1414. The hardware 1420 may include a communication interface 1422 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 1400, as well as a radio interface 1424 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 1426 with the UE 1414 located in a coverage area (not shown in Figure 14) served by the base station 1418. The communication interface 1422 may be configured to facilitate a connection 1428 to the host computer 1402. The connection 1428 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 14) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 1420 of the base station 1418 further includes processing circuitry 1430, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 1418 further has software 1432 stored internally or accessible via an external connection. [0081] The communication system 1400 further includes the UE 1414 already referred to. The UE’s 1414 hardware 1434 may include a radio interface 1436 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 1426 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 1414 is currently located. The hardware 1434 of the UE 1414 further includes processing circuitry 1438, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 1414 further comprises software 1440, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 1414 and executable by the processing circuitry 1438. The software 1440 includes a client application 1442. The client application 1442 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 1414, with the support of the host computer 1402. In the host computer 1402, the executing host application 1412 may communicate with the executing client application 1442 via the OTT connection 1416 terminating at the UE 1414 and the host computer 1402. In providing the service to the user, the client application 1442 may receive request data from the host application 1412 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1416 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 1442 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides. [0082] It is noted that the host computer 1402, the base station 1418, and the UE 1414 illustrated in Figure 14 may be similar or identical to the host computer 1316, one of the base stations 1306A, 1306B, 1306C, and one of the UEs 1312, 1314 of Figure 13, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 14 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 13. [0083] In Figure 14, the OTT connection 1416 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 1402 and the UE 1414 via the base station 1418 without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure may determine the routing, which may be configured to hide from the UE 1414 or from the service provider operating the host computer 1402, or both. While the OTT connection 1416 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network). [0084] The wireless connection 1426 between the UE 1414 and the base station 1418 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1414 using the OTT connection 1416, in which the wireless connection 1426 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the e.g., data rate, latency, power consumption, etc. and thereby provide benefits such as e.g., reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc. [0085] A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency, and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1416 between the host computer 1402 and the UE 1414, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1416 may be implemented in the software 1410 and the hardware 1404 of the host computer 1402 or in the software 1440 and the hardware 1434 of the UE 1414, or both. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 1416 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which the software 1410, 1440 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 1416 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 1418, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 1418. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer’s 1402 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency, and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 1410 and 1440 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 1416 while it monitors propagation times, errors, etc. [0086] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 15 will be included in this section. In step 1500, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1502 (which may be optional) of step 1500, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1504, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 1506 (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1508 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer. [0087] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 16 will be included in this section. In step 1600 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1602, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1604 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission. [0088] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 17 will be included in this section. In step 1700 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1702, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 1704 (which may be optional) of step 1700, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 1706 (which may be optional) of step 1702, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in sub-step 1708 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 1710 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. [0089] Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 18 will be included in this section. In step 1800 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 1802 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1804 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station. [0090] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [0091] While processes in the figures may show a particular order of operations performed by certain embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that such order is exemplary (e.g., alternative embodiments may perform the operations in a different order, combine certain operations, overlap certain operations, etc.). [0092] At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multiple times below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequent listing(s). • 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project • 5G Fifth Generation • 5GC Fifth Generation Core • 5GS Fifth Generation System • AAS Advanced Antenna System • AF Application Function • AMF Access and Mobility Function • AN Access Network • AP Access Point • ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit • AUSF Authentication Server Function • CPU Central Processing Unit • DCI Downlink Control Information • DN Data Network • DSP Digital Signal Processor • eNB Enhanced or Evolved Node B • EPS Evolved Packet System • E-UTRA Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array • gNB New Radio Base Station • gNB-DU New Radio Base Station Distributed Unit • HSS Home Subscriber Server • IoT Internet of Things • IP Internet Protocol • KPI Key Performance Indicator • LTE Long Term Evolution • MAC Medium Access Control • MME Mobility Management Entity • MTC Machine Type Communication • NEF Network Exposure Function • NF Network Function • NR New Radio • NRF Network Function Repository Function • NSSF Network Slice Selection Function • OTT Over-the-Top • PC Personal Computer • PCF Policy Control Function • PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel • P-GW Packet Data Network Gateway • PRB Physical Resource Block • PRS Positioning Reference Signal • QoS Quality of Service • RAM Random Access Memory • RAN Radio Access Network • ROM Read Only Memory • RP Reception Point • RRC Radio Resource Control • RRH Remote Radio Head • RTT Round Trip Time • SCEF Service Capability Exposure Function • SMF Session Management Function • TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator • TP Transmission Point • TRP Transmission/Reception Point • UDM Unified Data Management • UE User Equipment • UPF User Plane Function [0093] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of operating a base station (302) for enabling digital sectorization, comprising: obtaining (700) one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell- level efficiency for a cell provided by the base station (302); and determining (702) to alter a current digital sectorization status for the cell based on the one or more obtained values.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises one of the group consisting of: determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell; determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; determining to increase the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell.

3. The method of any of claims 1 to 2 wherein the cell-level efficiency for the cell comprises a cell-level Physical Resource Block, PRB, efficiency.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for the cell are observed for a pre- defined period of time.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the one or more values related to cell-level traffic load are based on PRB utilization and/or the number of Radio Resource Control, RRC,-connected users.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: upon determining that the cell is in a low or medium traffic load scenario, performing one of the group consisting of: determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to increase the number of digital sectors for the cell.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: upon determining that the cell is in a high traffic load scenario, performing one of the group consisting of: determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: upon determining that the cell-level efficiency for the cell is below a threshold, performing one of the group consisting of: determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determining the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determining to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8 wherein determining to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: providing a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein providing a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status comprises: upon determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell, decreasing a transmit power for the cell while adding the transmit power to one or more other cells provided by the base station (302).

11. The method of any of claims 9 to 10 wherein providing a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status comprises: upon determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell, increasing the transmit power for the cell while reducing the transmit power to one or more other cells provided by the base station (302).

12. A network node for enabling digital sectorization for a base station (302), the network node comprising one or more processors (904) and a memory (906), where the memory (906) comprises instructions to cause the network node to: obtain one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for a cell provided by the base station (302); and determine to alter a current digital sectorization status for the cell based on the one or more obtained values.

13. The network node of claim 12 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to determine to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises one of the group consisting of: determine to enable digital sectorization for the cell; determine to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determine the number of digital sectors for the cell; determine to increase the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determine to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell.

14. The network node of any of claims 12 to 13 wherein the cell-level efficiency for the cell comprises a cell-level Physical Resource Block, PRB, efficiency.

15. The network node of any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the one or more values related to cell-level traffic load and/or cell-level efficiency for the cell are observed for a pre-defined period of time.

16. The network node of any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the one or more values related to cell-level traffic load are based on PRB utilization and/or the number of Radio Resource Control, RRC,-connected users.

17. The network node of any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to determine to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: upon determining that the cell is in a low or medium traffic load scenario, perform one of the group consisting of: determine to enable digital sectorization for the cell; determine the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determine to increase the number of digital sectors for the cell.

18. The network node of any of claims 12 to 17 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to determine to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: upon determining that the cell is in a high traffic load scenario, perform one of the group consisting of: determine to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determine the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determine to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell.

19. The network node of any of claims 12 to 18 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to determine to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: upon determining that the cell-level efficiency for the cell is below a threshold, perform one of the group consisting of: determine to disable digital sectorization for the cell; determine the number of digital sectors for the cell; and determine to decrease the number of digital sectors for the cell.

20. The network node of any of claims 12 to 19 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to determine to alter the current digital sectorization status for the cell comprises: provide a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status.

21. The network node of claim 20 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to provide a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status comprises: upon determining to disable digital sectorization for the cell, decrease a transmit power for the cell while adding the transmit power to one or more other cells provided by the base station (302).

22. The network node of any of claims 20 to 21 wherein the instructions to cause the network node to provide a graceful transition from the current digital sectorization status to the new digital sectorization status comprises: upon determining to enable digital sectorization for the cell, increase the transmit power for the cell while reducing the transmit power to one or more other cells provided by the base station (302).