Abstract: A method of setting an almost blank subframe (ABS) duty cycle in a heterogeneous network including a macro cell and one or more small cells, the one or more small cells being underlaid with respect to the macro cell includes obtaining, at a network element, loading information corresponding to each of the macro cell and the one or more small cells, the loading information including, for each of the macro cell and the one or more small cells, an indication of an amount of information buffered at the cell for each user attached to the cell; and determining the ABS duty cycle based on the obtained loading information.

Abstract: An illustrative example network simulator device includes a display and a processor that uses information simulating network performance including a plurality of network parameters. The processor selectively controls the display to present a visual representation of a network including a plurality of base stations and a plurality of mobile stations. The display also presents a visual representation of at least some of the generated information including information regarding at least one of the network parameters from a network perspective, a base station perspective, and a mobile station perspective.

Abstract: A method of setting an almost blank subframe (ABS) duty cycle in a heterogeneous network including a macro cell and one or more small cells, the one or more small cells being underlaid with respect to the macro cell includes obtaining, at a network element, loading information corresponding to each of the macro cell and the one or more small cells, the loading information including, for each of the macro cell and the one or more small cells, an indication of an amount of information buffered at the cell for each user attached to the cell; and determining the ABS duty cycle based on the obtained loading information.