Network node, wireless device and methods for handling interference

A serving network node in a radio access network (RAN) configured to handle interference in a wireless network where a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) scheme is employed to control transmissions between the serving network node and wireless devices, the network node comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node is operative to:
• determine whether a first wireless device being served by the serving network node is compatible with a second wireless device at the serving network node so that uplink signals transmitted from the first and second wireless devices are spatially separable at the serving network node;
• and
• initiate transmission of an LBT-related message from the serving network node to the first wireless device, the LBT-related message comprising compatibility information that explicitly indicates that the first and second wireless devices are incompatible at the serving network node, as a basis for the second wireless device to decide not to perform a transmission.

A first wireless device configured to handle interference in a wireless network where a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) scheme is employed to control transmissions, the first wireless device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the first wireless device is operative to:
• detect an LBT-related message transmitted by a serving network node in a radio access network (RAN) to a second wireless device being served by the serving network node, the LBT-related message comprising compatibility information that explicitly indicates that the first and second wireless devices are incompatible at the serving network node;
• and
• decide to refrain from transmission in response to the compatibility information indicating that the first and second wireless devices are incompatible at the serving network node.