Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and a computer program product related to joint assignment and scheduling for overlapping coordinated multi-point transmission (CoMP) clusters. The present invention includes acquiring, at a network entity, for each of a plurality of user equipments connected to a resource of a cooperation area, a connectivity ratio of each user equipment to the resource, selecting, at the network entity, among the plurality of user equipments connected to the resource of a cooperation area, a first user equipment having a lowest current connectivity ratio, and determining whether the current connectivity ratio of the selected user equipment is equal to or smaller than a stored connectivity ratio of the selected user equipment to another resource available for the user equipment.

Abstract: Methods, a user equipment, a base station and a computer program product for managing assignments between user equipments and cooperation areas are provided. The present invention discloses receiving, at a base station belonging to a cooperation area, a connection request message from a user equipment to be connected to the cooperation area. The connection request message includes a parameter indicating preference information. It is determined, on the basis of the parameter, whether the user equipment is allowed to connect to the cooperation area. A connection acknowledgement/non-acknowledgement message is forwarded from the base station to the user equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and a computer program product related to joint assignment and scheduling for overlapping coordinated multi-point transmission (CoMP) clusters. The present invention includes acquiring, at a network entity, for each of a plurality of user equipments connected to a resource of a cooperation area, a connectivity ratio of each user equipment to the resource, selecting, at the network entity, among the plurality of user equipments connected to the resource of a cooperation area, a first user equipment having a lowest current connectivity ratio, and determining whether the current connectivity ratio of the selected user equipment is equal to or smaller than a stored connectivity ratio of the selected user equipment to another resource available for the user equipment.

Abstract: There is provided a method for configuring a power distribution within a cellular network system. The cellular network system includes at least one cooperation area. The at least one cooperation area is defined by at least two base stations, each including at least one antenna, wherein each base station has at least one beam. The method includes configuring the base stations to transmit at a first transmit power level for providing a first receiving power level for a user equipment at a center region of the cooperation area, and configuring the base stations to transmit at a second transmit power level for providing a second receiving power level at a border region of the cooperation area, wherein the second receiving power level is lower than the first receiving power level.

Abstract: There is provided a method for configuring a power distribution within a cellular network system. The cellular network system includes at least one cooperation area. The at least one cooperation area is defined by at least two base stations, each including at least one antenna, wherein each base station has at least one beam. The method includes configuring the base stations to transmit at a first transmit power level for providing a first receiving power level for a user equipment at a center region of the cooperation area, and configuring the base stations to transmit at a second transmit power level for providing a second receiving power level at a border region of the cooperation area, wherein the second receiving power level is lower than the first receiving power level.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a cooperation area for a mobile terminal in a cellular network, wherein the mobile terminal determines its n strongest interferers; wherein the cooperation area is selected for the mobile terminal regarding the n strongest interferers; and wherein the cooperation area includes m base stations and wherein the number m of base stations is larger than the number n of strongest interferers. Furthermore, a communication system is suggested including said device.

Abstract: Methods, a user equipment, a base station and a computer program product for managing assignments between user equipments and cooperation areas are provided. The present invention discloses receiving, at a base station belonging to a cooperation area, a connection request message from a user equipment to be connected to the cooperation area. The connection request message includes a parameter indicating preference information. It is determined, on the basis of the parameter, whether the user equipment is allowed to connect to the cooperation area. A connection acknowledgement/non-acknowledgement message is forwarded from the base station to the user equipment.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a cooperation area for a mobile terminal in a cellular network, wherein the mobile terminal determines its n strongest interferers; wherein the cooperation area is selected for the mobile terminal regarding the n strongest interferers; and wherein the cooperation area includes m base stations and wherein the number m of base stations is larger than the number n of strongest interferers. Furthermore, a communication system is suggested including said device.