Systems and methods for band-limited subframes in wireless networks

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for using band-limited subframes in wireless communication networks are provided. During the band-limited subframes, the macro cell base station may mute its transmission or transmit at a low power over some frequency sub-band, while transmitting at a normal or higher power over other frequency sub-band. Correspondingly, the small cell base station may communicate with UEs within its coverage at the frequency sub-band that the macro cell base station transmits at a low power. The band-limited subframe enables the small cell base station to communicate with the UE with reduced interference, and in the meantime, increases the throughput of macro cell base station as it does not require the macro cell base station to completely mute its transmission during the band-limited subframe.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.