Apparatus, computer program, and method for timing-based restriction of a data signaling direction

Abstract

An apparatus, computer program, and method are provided for timing-based restriction of a data signaling direction. An operating cell is included in at least one of a plurality of groups with one or more other cells. In operation, a time is identified for restricting a direction of data signaling from the cell to a region, based on such time, while at least one of the one or more other cells of the at least one group is permitted to direct a data signaling thereof outside the region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 operating a cell that is included in at least one of a plurality of groups with one or more other cells;   identifying a time; and   restricting, based on the time, a direction of data signaling from the cell to a region, while at least one of the one or more other cells of the at least one group is permitted to direct a data signaling thereof outside the region.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the direction of data signaling from the cell is restricted to another region at a later time. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the one or more other cells of the at least one group is unrestricted in a direction of the data signaling thereof outside the region. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the direction of data signaling from the cell is restricted to the region, utilizing at least one of beamforming or beam switching. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising applying an offset to at least one parameter in connection with the direction of data signaling from the cell. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the offset is applied to a channel quality indication (CQI). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the offset is applied to a signal to noise ratio (SNR). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the offset is applied to a modulation and code scheme (MCS). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the offset is applied in connection with an outer loop link adaptation (OLLA) convergence process. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the region is one of a plurality of first regions associated with a first set of co-located cells of a plurality co-located cells that each have a plurality of regions associated therewith. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the direction of data signaling from the cell is restricted to the one of the plurality of first regions associated with the first set of co-located cells at a first time, and the direction of data signaling from the cell is restricted to one of a plurality of second regions associated with a second set of co-located cells at a second time. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the direction of data signaling is restricted from the cell to the region at a first time, and the direction of data signaling is again restricted from the cell to the region at a second time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein information is stored in connection with the direction of data signaling from the cell to the region at the first time, for use during the direction of data signaling from the cell to the region at the second time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the information relates to a channel quality indication (CQI). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the information relates to a signal to noise ratio (SNR). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the information relates to a modulation and code scheme (MCS). 
     
     
         17 . A computer readable media comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that when executed by one or more processors prompt the one or more processors to:
 store information related to a cell that is included in at least one of a plurality of groups with one or more other cells; and   restrict, based on the time, a direction of data signaling from the cell to a region, while at least one of the one or more other cells of the at least one group is permitted to direct a data signaling thereof outside the region.   
     
     
         18 . The computer readable media of  claim 17 , wherein the computer instructions prompt the one or more processors to apply an offset to at least one parameter in connection with the direction of data signaling from the cell. 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable media of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one parameter includes a channel quality indication (CQI). 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable media of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one parameter includes a modulation and code scheme (MCS). 
     
     
         21 . The computer readable media of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one parameter is associated with an outer loop link adaptation (OLLA) convergence process. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one cell configured for:
 being included in at least one of a plurality of groups with one or more other cells; 
 identifying a time; and 
 restricting, based on the time, a direction of data signaling from the cell to a region, while at least one of the one or more other cells of the at least one group is permitted to direct a data signaling thereof outside the region. 
   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one cell is configured for applying an offset to at least one parameter in connection with the direction of data signaling from the cell. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one parameter includes a channel quality indication (CQI). 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one parameter includes a modulation and code scheme (MCS). 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one parameter is associated with an outer loop link adaptation (OLLA) convergence process.