Multi-point opportunistic beamforming with selective beam attenuation

A communication apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver, which is configured to receive from a group of two or more base stations multiple Radio Frequency (RF) transmission beams that alternate in time and space and comprise at least a first beam and a second beam;
• and
• a processor, which is configured to estimate first and second signal qualities for the second beam, under respective first and second constraints, wherein the first constraint specifies that the first beam is active and the second constraint specifies that the first beam is inactive, to identify that the first beam interferes with reception of the second beam based on the first and second signal qualities, and to send to one or more of the base stations feedback indicating that the first beam interferes with the second beam,
• wherein the processor is configured to predict that the first beam interferes with the reception for a future occurrence of the first and second transmission beams, and to provide the feedback to the base stations for use in attenuating the first transmission beam during the future occurrence.

A method for communication, comprising:

• transmitting to a mobile communication terminal from a group of two or more base stations multiple Radio Frequency (RF) transmission beams that alternate in time and space and comprise at least a first beam and a second beam;
• receiving at the base stations from the terminal feedback indicating that the first beam interferes with the second beam, wherein the feedback is sent from the terminal upon identifying that the first beam interferes with reception of the second beam, by estimating in the terminal first and second signal qualities for the second beam under respective first and second constraints, wherein the first constraint specifies that the first beam is active and the second constraint specifies that the first beam is inactive;
• and
• responsively to the feedback, attenuating the first transmission beam during transmission of the second transmission beam.