Methods and network nodes for configuring almost blank subframe transmission patterns and corresponding measurement patterns for reducing intercell interference in an heterogeneous cellular radio communication system

摘要

A method and a network node (110, 120, 140) for enabling configuration of at least two patterns for a cell (C0) are provided. The patterns are transmission patterns or measurement patterns. The network node (110, 120, 140) obtains (402) the at least two patterns. Each of the at least two patterns is associated with information about a respective restricted area (A1, A2) such that each pattern is used when a user equipment (130) served by the cell (C0) is located in the respective restricted area. Each respective restricted area (A1, A2) is smaller than an entire area of the cell (C0). Moreover, a method and a user equipment (130) for configuring measurements are provided. The user equipment (130) is served by a cell (C0, C1, C2) of a radio base station (110, 120, 140). The user equipment (130) receives at feast two measurement patterns from the radio base station. Each measurement pattern is associated with a respective restricted area. Each respective restricted area is smaller than an entire area of the cell. The user equipment (130) obtains information about the respective restricted area.

主权项

1. A method in a network node for enabling different downlink transmission patterns to be transmitted in different restricted areas of a cell, the method comprising:
identifying different downlink transmission patterns that are to be respectively transmitted in different restricted areas of a cell, wherein the different downlink transmission patterns comprise different patterns of alternating over time between transmitting with a reduced power level and transmitting with a power level higher than the reduced power level, and wherein the different restricted areas of the cell are each smaller than an entire area of the cell; and transmitting, or coordinating transmission of, the different downlink transmission patterns in the different restricted areas of the cell.