Discovery of time division duplex (tdd) configuration of intra-operator and inter-operator cells

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for supporting communication, discovery, and use of time division duplex (TDD) configuration information between nearby cells are described. A first base station requests a UE to collect and report back TDD configuration information about another base station, e.g., a neighboring base station, from which the UE receives signals, e.g., broadcast signals above a predetermined signal strength threshold. In some embodiments, the requests are qualified based on one of more of: i) inter or intra operator network, ii) radio access technology (RAT) in use, or iii) frequency band. The first base station utilizes reports, communicating TDD configuration information pertaining to nearby base stations, obtained from one or more UEs, to manage interference, e.g., changing the first base station's current TDD configuration settings, generating a new first base station TDD configuration, and/or deciding whether or not to use a frequency band of shared and/or unlicensed spectrum or licensed spectrum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.