Systems and methods for configuring redundant transmissions in a wireless network

An apparatus (1000) for configuring communication in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter (1010) configured to transmit configuration information to a wireless communication device;
• and
• a processor (1002) configured to:
• obtain, at a first network node, information indicating a plurality of candidate subframes for a downlink transmission to a wireless communication device in a first cell, wherein each candidate subframe satisfies a predetermined candidate condition that relates to transmissions in a second cell during that subframe;
• determine, based on the obtained information, a number of copies of an uplink transmission a wireless communication device should transmit a wireless communication device should transmit in consecutive uplink subframes so that a downlink transmission related to the uplink transmission will occur during one of the candidate subframes;
• and
• configure the wireless communication device to transmit the determined number of copies of the uplink transmission in consecutive subframes.

A method for configuring communication in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• obtaining (900) information indicating a first group of one or more subframes of a radio frame in which a first network node will transmit feedback information to one or more wireless communication devices served by the first network node;
• determining (902), based on the obtained information, a second group of one or more subframes in which a second network node should transmit feedback information to one or more wireless communication devices served by the second network node, wherein the second group of subframes differs from the first group of subframes;
• configuring (904) the second network node to transmit feedback information to one or more wireless communication devices during the second group of subframes;
• and
• transmitting (908) feedback information from the first network node during the second group of subframes.

An apparatus (1000) for configuring communication in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter (1010) adapted to transmit feedback information to a wireless communication device;
• and
• a processor (1002) adapted to:
• obtain information indicating a first group of one or more subframes of a radio frame in which a first network node will transmit feedback information to one or more wireless communication devices served by the first network node;
• determine, based on the obtained information, a second group of one or more subframes in which a second network node should transmit feedback information to one or more wireless communication devices served by the second network node, wherein the second group of subframes differs from the first group of subframes;
• configure the second network node to transmit feedback information to one or more wireless communication devices during the second group of subframes;
• and
• transmit feedback information from the first network node during the second group of subframes.