Almost blank subframe allocation in heterogeneous network

摘要

A first base station provides overlapping coverage area with second base stations and third base stations. Second base stations allow access to wireless devices and configure a second plurality of almost blank subframes. Second base stations configure the same set of subframes as the second plurality of almost blank subframes. Third base stations allow access to a restricted subset of wireless devices and configure a third plurality of almost blank subframes. At least two base stations in the third base stations configure different set of subframes as the second plurality of almost blank subframes.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing, by a first base station, an overlapping coverage area with each of a second plurality of base stations and each of a third plurality of base stations; each of the second plurality of base stations:
allowing access to a first plurality of wireless devices; andtransmitting, to a second plurality of wireless devices in connected mode, a second message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of subframes, the second plurality of subframes comprising a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, each of the base stations in the second plurality of base stations employing the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes; and each of the third plurality of base stations:
allowing access only to a restricted subset of the first plurality of wireless devices; andtransmitting to a third plurality of wireless devices in connected mode, a third message comprising a third subframe allocation bitmap indicating a third plurality of subframes, the third plurality of subframes comprising a third plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, at least two base stations in the third plurality of base stations employing different sets of subframes as the third plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.