Methods supporting multicast/multiuser transmission using listen after talk and related network nodes

An access node comprising:

• a transceiver configured to provide wireless communications in a wireless communication network;
• and
• a processor coupled with the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to provide wireless communication through the transceiver, and wherein the processor is configured to,
• provide a first frame including a first header and a first data block with first data for first wireless terminal and second wireless terminal, wherein the header includes a first control field indicating a first idle period resource and a second control field indicating a second idle period resource, wherein the first and second idle period resources are different;
• initiate transmission of the first frame to the first and second wireless terminals;
• provide a second frame including a second header and a second data block with second data for the second wireless terminal responsive to receiving a notification message using the first idle period resource;
• and
• initiate transmission of the second frame to the second wireless terminal while deferring transmission to the second first wireless terminal.

A method of operating a wireless terminal in a

• wireless communication network, the method comprising:
• responsive to interference from an interfering access node, receiving first and second control fields of a header of an interfering frame wherein the first control field indicates a first idle period resource and the second control field indicates a second idle period resource, wherein the first and second idle period resources are different;
• based on the interference from the interfering access node, selecting the first idle period resource;
• responsive to selecting the first idle period resource, transmitting a notification message to the interfering access node using the first idle period resource;
• and
• after transmitting the notification message, receiving a plurality of data frames from a serving access node.

A wireless terminal comprising:

• a transceiver configured to provide wireless communications in a wireless communication network;
• and
• a processor coupled with the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to provide wireless communication through the transceiver, and wherein the processor is configured to,
• receive first and second control fields of a header of an interfering frame responsive to interference from an interfering access node, wherein the first control field indicates a first idle period resource and the second control field indicates a second idle period resource, wherein the first and second idle period resources are different;
• select the first idle period resource based on the interference from the interfering access node;
• transmit a notification message to the interfering access node using the first idle period resource responsive to selecting the first idle period resource;
• and
• receive a plurality of data frames from a serving access node after transmitting the notification message.