User equipment battery saving in a hetnet deployment with eicic

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for reducing client node power consumption when monitoring first and second channels corresponding to first and second access nodes in a heterogeneous wireless-enabled communications environment. Enhanced Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (eICIC) operations are performed to mitigate interference between a first access node and a second access node. The client node monitors first and second channels corresponding to the first and second access nodes to detect the presence of Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) pattern data transmitted on the first channel. When detected, the client node ceases monitoring the first channel to reduce power consumption and thereby conserve battery resources.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.