Abstract: A method for operating a centralized controller in a communications network with a plurality of transmission points includes generating a plurality of overlays for the communications network in accordance with first mutual intercell interference levels for transmission point pairs in the communications network, wherein each overlay of the plurality of overlays comprises virtual transmission points, and selecting a first overlay of the plurality of overlays in accordance with a merit measure derived from first user equipments (UEs) operating in the communications network tentatively scheduled to each overlay of the plurality of overlays. The method also includes scheduling a first subset of the first UEs operating in the communications network during a first resource unit in accordance with the selected first overlay.

Abstract: A method for operating an interference coordinating entity (ICE) includes partitioning, by the ICE, a cloud radio access network (CRAN) cluster by grouping transmission points (TPs) serving user equipments (UEs) in accordance with a partitioning criterion into at least one virtual transmission point (V-TP) to produce a V-TP set. The UEs to be served are preferably offset from a V-TP boundary. The method also includes saving, by the ICE, V-TP information to a memory.

Abstract: A method for reducing interference at a first user equipment (UE) includes receiving, by a second communications controller, a request to reduce interference at the first UE, the first UE being served by a first communications controller. The method also includes determining, by the second communications controller, a beam adjustment in accordance with uplink transmission measurements of the first UE and a second UE, the beam adjustment to aim a transmission to the second UE away from the second UE and towards an angle orthogonal to a first direction of the first UE relative to the second communications controller, the second UE being served by the second communications controller. The method further includes pre-adjusting, by the second communications controller, the transmission with the beam adjustment, and transmitting, by the second communications controller, the pre-adjusted transmission to the second UE.

Abstract: A method for configuring a first base station within a cluster in a communications system having a plurality of cluster includes optimizing an operating parameter of the first base station in accordance with first utility function results from a first utility function associated with the first base station and second utility function results from a second utility function associated with a second base station within the cluster, the first utility function results and the second utility function results according to multiple settings for the operating parameter of the first base station, a first initialized setting of the operating parameter for the second base station, and a second initialized setting of the operating parameter for an external base station outside the cluster. The method also includes sharing the optimized operating parameter with the external base station.

Abstract: A method for operating a centralized controller in a communications network with a plurality of transmission points includes generating a plurality of overlays for the communications network in accordance with first mutual intercell interference levels for transmission point pairs in the communications network, wherein each overlay of the plurality of overlays comprises virtual transmission points, and selecting a first overlay of the plurality of overlays in accordance with a merit measure derived from first user equipments (UEs) operating in the communications network tentatively scheduled to each overlay of the plurality of overlays. The method also includes scheduling a first subset of the first UEs operating in the communications network during a first resource unit in accordance with the selected first overlay.

Abstract: A method for operating an interference coordinating entity (ICE) includes partitioning, by the ICE, a cloud radio access network (CRAN) cluster by grouping transmission points (TPs) serving user equipments (UEs) in accordance with a partitioning criterion into at least one virtual transmission point (V-TP) to produce a V-TP set. The UEs to be served are preferably offset from a V-TP boundary. The method also includes saving, by the ICE, V-TP information to a memory.

Abstract: A method for configuring a first base station within a cluster in a communications system having a plurality of cluster includes optimizing an operating parameter of the first base station in accordance with first utility function results from a first utility function associated with the first base station and second utility function results from a second utility function associated with a second base station within the cluster, the first utility function results and the second utility function results according to multiple settings for the operating parameter of the first base station, a first initialized setting of the operating parameter for the second base station, and a second initialized setting of the operating parameter for an external base station outside the cluster. The method also includes sharing the optimized operating parameter with the external base station.

Abstract: A method for reducing interference at a first user equipment (UE) includes receiving, by a second communications controller, a request to reduce interference at the first UE, the first UE being served by a first communications controller. The method also includes determining, by the second communications controller, a beam adjustment in accordance with uplink transmission measurements of the first UE and a second UE, the beam adjustment to aim a transmission to the second UE away from the second UE and towards an angle orthogonal to a first direction of the first UE relative to the second communications controller, the second UE being served by the second communications controller. The method further includes pre-adjusting, by the second communications controller, the transmission with the beam adjustment, and transmitting, by the second communications controller, the pre-adjusted transmission to the second UE.