Reference signal configuration for cell coordination

A method for managing cell coordination, comprising:

• determining a cluster of a plurality of cells, the cluster of the plurality of cells having a plurality of antennas;
• assigning at least one zero power channel state information reference signal (ZP CSI-RS) configuration to each of the plurality of cells of the cluster;
• assigning to each cell in the plurality of cells of the cluster a respective non-zero power channel state information reference signal (NZP CSI-RS) configuration, the NZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to each cell in the plurality of cells in the cluster partially overlapping the at least one ZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to each cell in the plurality of cells in the cluster;
• causing a first cell of the plurality of cells of the cluster to transmit, within a subframe, based on the at least one ZP CSI-RS configuration and the NZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to the first cell;
• receiving at least one channel state information (CSI) report associated with a first wireless device in communication with at least one cell of the plurality of cells in the cluster, the at least one CSI report being based at least in part on the transmission according to the at least one ZP CSI-RS configuration and the NZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to the first cell;
• scheduling radio resources for downlink transmission to the first wireless device based at least in part on the received at least one CSI report
• receiving at least one uplink signal associated with the first wireless device in communication with at least one of the plurality of cells in the cluster;
• determining at least one uplink signal quality of the at least one uplink signal;
• selecting cells of the plurality of cells of the cluster for downlink transmission to the first wireless device based on the determined at least one uplink signal quality of the at least one uplink signal;
• and
• the scheduling of radio resources for downlink transmission to the first wireless device includes scheduling of radio resources on all the selected cells of the plurality of cells of the cluster.

A node for managing cell coordination, comprising:

• processing circuitry, the processing circuitry including a processor, and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to:
• cause a first cell of a plurality of cells of a cluster to transmit, within a subframe, based on a zero power channel state information reference signal (ZP CSI-RS) configuration and a non-zero power channel state information reference signal (NZP CSI-RS) configuration that is assigned to the first cell, the NZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to the first cell in the plurality of cells in the cluster partially overlapping the at least one ZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to the first cell in the plurality of cells in the cluster;
• receive at least one channel state information (CSI) report associated with a first wireless device in communication with at least one cell of the plurality of cells of the cluster, the at least one CSI report being based at least in part on the transmission based on the ZP CSI-RS configuration and NZP CSI-RS configuration;
• schedule radio resources for downlink transmission to the first wireless device based at least in part on the received at least one CSI report;
• receive at least one uplink signal associated with the first wireless device in communication with at least one of the plurality of cells in the cluster;
• determine at least one uplink signal quality of the at least one uplink signal;
• select cells of the plurality of cells of the cluster for downlink transmission to the first wireless device based on the determined at least one uplink signal quality of the at least one uplink signal;
• and
• the scheduling of radio resources for downlink transmission to the first wireless device includes scheduling of radio resources on all the selected cells of the plurality of cells of the cluster.

A method for managing cell coordination, comprising:

• causing a first cell of a plurality of cells of a cluster to transmit, within a subframe, based on a zero power channel state information reference signal (ZP CSI-RS) configuration and a non-zero power channel state information reference signal (NZP CSI-RS) configuration that is assigned to the first cell, the NZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to the first cell in the plurality of cells in the cluster partially overlapping the at least one ZP CSI-RS configuration assigned to the first cell in the plurality of cells in the cluster;
• receiving at least one channel state information (CSI) report associated with a first wireless device in communication with at least one cell of the plurality of cells of the cluster, the at least one CSI report being based at least in part on the transmission based on the ZP CSI-RS configuration and NZP CSI-RS configuration;
• scheduling radio resources for downlink transmission to the first wireless device based at least in part on the received at least one CSI report;
• receiving at least one uplink signal associated with the first wireless device in communication with at least one of the plurality of cells in the cluster;
• determining at least one uplink signal quality of the at least one uplink signal;
• selecting cells of the plurality of cells of the cluster for downlink transmission to the first wireless device based on the determined at least one uplink signal quality of the at least one uplink signal;
• and
• the scheduling of radio resources for downlink transmission to the first wireless device includes scheduling of radio resources on all the selected cells of the plurality of cells of the cluster.