Method for setting subframes, macro base station, mobile terminal and communication system

A method for setting subframes in a macro base station, comprising:

• receiving, from a micro base station, information that indicates main carrier used by a mobile terminal at cell edge of the micro base station;
• setting blank subframes on a carrier corresponding to the main carrier and used by the macro base station, according to the information;
• and
• setting all or a part of the set blank subframes as partially blank subframes,
• wherein the blank subframe is a subframe in which both a control area and a data area are almost not used for transmitting information, while the partially blank subframe is a subframe having a control area almost not used for transmitting information, and a data area in which only a part of subcarriers can be used for transmitting data.

A method for setting subframes in a macro base station, comprising:

• receiving, from a micro base station, information that indicates main carrier used by mobile terminals at cell edge of the micro base station;
• judging whether the mobile terminals at cell edge of the micro base station use a plurality of main carriers according to the information;
• selecting one or more main carriers from the plurality of main carriers when it is judged that the plurality of main carriers are used by the mobile terminals at cell edge of the micro base station;
• and
• setting partially blank subframes on a carrier corresponding to the selected main carrier and used by the macro base station;
• wherein the partially blank subframe is a subframe having a control area almost not used for transmitting information, and a data area in which only a part of subcarriers can be used for transmitting data.

A macro base station, comprising:

• a main and auxiliary carrier information receiving unit configured to receive, from a micro base station, information that indicates main carrier and auxiliary carrier used by a mobile terminal at cell edge of the micro base station;
• and
• an auxiliary carrier setting unit configured to set limited blank subframes on a carrier corresponding to the auxiliary carrier and used by the macro base station, according to the information;
• wherein the limited blank subframe is a subframe having a control area which can be used for transmitting information, and a data area in which only a part of subcarriers can be used for transmitting data.

A communication system, comprising a macro base station and a mobile terminal,

• the macro base station comprising:
• a main and auxiliary carrier information receiving unit configured to receive, from a micro base station, information that indicates main carrier and auxiliary carrier;
• and
• an auxiliary carrier setting unit configured to set limited blank subframes on a carrier corresponding to the auxiliary carrier and used by the macro base station, according to the information;
• wherein the limited blank subframe is a subframe having a control area which can be used for transmitting information, and a data area in which only a part of subcarriers can be used for transmitting data,
• the mobile terminal comprises a communication unit which communicates using the main carrier and the auxiliary carrier at cell edge of the micro base station.