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

Abstract

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