WO2017142453A1

WO2017142453A1 - Method performed by a first node for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes and a third node in a wireless network

Info

Publication number: WO2017142453A1
Application number: PCT/SE2017/050065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erika TEJEDOR; Jörgen KARLSSON; Evanny OBREGON; Yngve SELÉN
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2016-02-16
Filing date: 2017-01-25
Publication date: 2017-08-24

Abstract

Method performed by a first node (101). The method is for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes (102) and a third node (103). The first node (101) and the one or more second nodes (102) operate in a wireless communications network (100). The one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) operate in a shared spectrum. The first node (101) determines (303) an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from transmitting. The determining (303) of the area is based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102). The one of more first indications are based on a location of the third node (103). The first node (101) initiates sending (305) a second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes (102). The second indication indicates that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting.

Description

METHOD PERFORMED BY A FIRST NODE FOR HANDLING A

CO-EXISTENCE OF ONE OR MORE SECOND NODES AND A THIRD NODE IN

A WIRELESS NETWORK.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a first communication device, and methods performed thereby, for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes and a third node operating in a shared spectrum. Embodiments herein further relate to a first second node, and methods performed thereby, for handling the co-existence of the one or more second nodes comprising the first second node, and the third node. Embodiments herein also relate to a second second node, and methods performed thereby, for handling the coexistence of the one or more second nodes comprising the second second node, and the third node. Embodiments herein further relate to computer programs and computer- readable storage mediums, having stored thereon the computer programs to carry out these methods.

BACKGROUND

Wireless devices such as terminals are also known as e.g., User Equipments (UE), mobile terminals, wireless terminals and/or mobile stations. Wireless devices are enabled to communicate wirelessly in a wireless communications network or wireless

communication system, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system or a cellular network. The communication may be performed e.g., between two wireless devices, between a wireless device and a regular telephone, and/or between a wireless device and a server via a Radio Access Network (RAN) and possibly one or more core networks, comprised within the wireless communications network.

Wireless devices may further be referred to as mobile telephones, cellular telephones, laptops, or tablets with wireless capability, just to mention some further examples. The wireless devices in the present context may be, for example, portable, pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the RAN, with another entity, such as another communication device or a server.

The wireless communications network covers a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served by an access node such as a base station, e.g. a Radio Base Station (RBS), which sometimes may be referred to as e.g., evolved NodeB "eNB", "eNodeB", "NodeB", "B node", or BTS (Base Transceiver Station), depending on the technology and terminology used. The base stations may be of different classes such as e.g., macro eNodeB, home eNodeB or pico base station, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell may be understood as the geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the base station at a base station site. One base station, situated on the base station site, may serve one or several cells. Further, each base station may support one or several communication technologies. The base stations may communicate over the air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless devices within range of the base stations. In the context of this disclosure, the expression Downlink (DL) is used for the transmission path from the base station to the wireless device. The expression Uplink (UL) is used for the transmission path in the opposite direction i.e., from the wireless device to the base station.

In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs or even eNBs, may be directly connected to one or more core networks.

3GPP LTE radio access standard has been written in order to support high bitrates and low latency both for uplink and downlink traffic. All data transmission is in LTE may be controlled by the radio base station. RLAN

Radio Local Access Networks (RLAN) may be considered networks intended to cover small geographical areas, such as homes, outdoor hotspots, offices or adjacent buildings. Traditionally, Wi-Fi or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standard has been considered as a typical example of a RLAN. Recently, Licensed Assisted Access of LTE (LAA) has also been introduced as another RLAN. Wi-Fi may employ the IEEE 802.1 1 standards family, while LAA may use the LTE standards family.

RLAN may be deployed in unlicensed spectrum and may need to share the same spectrum with other users or incumbent systems. Specifically, RLAN may be used at 5 GigaHertz (GHz) and, more in detail, between 5150-5350 MegaHertz (MHz) and 5470 - 5725 MHz in Europe. Another frequency of mainly usage for RLAN may be 2.4GHz and 60GHz.

Licensed and unlicensed spectrum

Unlicensed spectrum may be understood as the spectrum that may be freely used for a certain service without the need of a license. In general, services not requiring a license may not be entitled protection by other services, so-called primary services, in the same band while they are required to protect the primary services. The spectrum may be used by the systems without a license in case this is not used by the primary services allocated in the band.

There are some exceptions of unlicensed services, that is, services using unlicensed spectrum, which may are required to be protected by other services in the band, e.g., Intelligent Transport System (ITS), etc... An ITS may be understood as a system utilizing one or more applications to provide services relating to transport and traffic management. Licensed spectrum, on the other hand, may be understood as requiring a license to operate in it. This spectrum may be protected from interference from other systems.

Energy Detection

Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) may be considered as a channel access mechanism that enables a device to perform Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) checks using Energy

Detection (ED) before transmitting on the channel to determine whether it may be available or occupied. This procedure is specified, for example, in a) ETSI EN 301 893, e.g., V1.7.2: Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 5 GHz high performance RLAN;

Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive, as well as in b) 3GPP TS 36.213, e.g., V13.0.1 : Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio

Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer procedures.

Energy detection may be one technique used by RLAN in the 5GHz spectrum to detect other RLAN. Mitigation techniques in unlicensed spectrum

The 5GHz spectrum may be primarily allocated to Earth Exploration Satellite Service (EESS), Radars. The spectrum may be also allocated to other services on the basis of sharing: ITS, and Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT), that is, Road Tolling. RLAN may also use the spectrum if protection of the primary systems or even other non- primary is guaranteed. To this extent, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) may be defined in EN 301 893 and may consist of detecting the interference from radar systems, and in that case, to avoid co-channel operation with these systems by selecting a different carrier on a relatively slow time scale. Compatibility between RLAN and ITS

Compatibility between RLAN and ITS has been in discussions in ETSI BRAN, ECC WG SE24 and 3GPP RAN4. Initial results have shown that there may be a need to have mitigation techniques to achieve compatibility between these two systems.

Energy detection (ED) has been proposed as one of the mitigation techniques between RLAN and ITS. The RLAN device may measure the channels on which it may intend to transmit, and in the case the measured power may be larger than a certain ED threshold, the RLAN device may understand that the channel is occupied by an ITS and thus not start a new transmission or stop its current transmission, that is, refrain from transmitting. The measurement and the transmission decision may be both done by the RLAN device.

The hidden node problem

The hidden node problem may be understood as when a victim transmitter is undetected from the perspective of the aggressor transmitter, whereas the victim receiver is in a location where it may be interfered, e.g., when the victim system receiver is located between the victim system transmitter and the aggressor system transmitter. The energy detected from the aggressor system may be such that the victim receiver may be interfered and may not decode or detect signals from its corresponding transmitter, that is, the victim transmitter. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hidden node problem. The diagram represents a space in which a Victim Receiver (VRx) is receiving messages from a Victim Transmitter (VTx) over a distance Radius b (Rb). A potential Interfering Transmitter (ITx), which has receiving capabilities for LBT, may be randomly placed. Three different locations are marked with "ITx" on the Figure. Within a Radius c (Rc) around the VRx, the ITx may exceed the protection objective of the VRx, e.g., Co- channel Interference (C/l). In other words, the area defined by the radius Rc denotes the area wherein transmissions by ITx may cause harmful interference to VRx. Within a Radius a (Ra) around the VTx, the IT may detect the VTx. In the dotted area, in Figure 1 , LBT is working effectively. The area with horizontal stripes may be referred to as the so called "hidden node" area, where the ITx is not able to detect the VTx. The area with diagonal stripes may be referred to as the so called "exposed node" area, where the ITx may detect unnecessarily the VTx. This is because the transmissions from the ITx in the exposed node area are outside of the harmful interference area of the VRx. The scales of the circles in Figure 1 are arbitrary. Further details on the Hidden Node problem may be found on the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) Report 181 , "Improving Spectrum Efficiency in the SRD Bands", approved on September 2012.

Some further details of the descriptions provided above may be found e.g., in the ECC Report 244 "Compatibility studies related to RLANs in the 5725-5925 MHz band". This report was developed by the European working group ECC WG SE24. The report considers the hidden node problem in order to calculate an ED threshold for a RLAN to detect an ITS. According to existing methods, the threshold level set to detect a VTx is unnecessarily restrictive and results in wasted time-frequency resources and unnecessary processing overhead, which negatively affects the performance of the wireless

communications network where the nodes may be operating.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of embodiments herein to improve the handling of interference among network nodes in a wireless communications network. It is a further particular object of embodiments herein to improve the handling of interference among network nodes in a wireless communications network operating in a shared spectrum.

According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a first node. The method is for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes and a third node. The first node and the one or more second nodes operate in a wireless communications network. The one or more second nodes and the third node operate in a shared spectrum. The first node determines an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes are to refrain from transmitting. The determining of the area is based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes. The one of more first indications are based on a location of the third node. The first node then initiates sending a second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes. The second indication indicates that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a first second node. The method is for handling the co-existence of the one or more second nodes comprising the first second node, and the third node. The one or more second nodes operate in the wireless communications network. The one or more second nodes and the third node operate in the shared spectrum. The first second node receives the second indication from the first node operating in the wireless communications network. The second indication indicates that the second nodes in at least a first set of the one or more second nodes, based on a determined area, are to refrain from transmitting. The area is based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes. The one of more first indications are also based on a location of the third node. The first second node determines whether or not to transmit based on the received second indication.

According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a second second node. The method is for handling the coexistence of the one or more second nodes comprising the second second node, and the third node. The one or more second nodes operate in the wireless communications network. The one or more second nodes and the third node operate in the shared spectrum. The second second node measures one or more signals from the third node over one or more spectrum portions. The second second node also sends at least one first indication to the first node operating in the wireless communications network. The at least one indication is based on the measured one or more signals. The at least one first indication enables the first node to determine the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes are to refrain from transmitting. The determining is based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes. The one of more first indications are based on a location of the third node.

According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the first node. The first node is configured to handle the co-existence of the one or more second nodes and the third node. The first node and the one or more second nodes are configured to operate in the wireless communications network. The one or more second nodes and the third node are further configured to operate in the shared spectrum. The first node is further configured to determine the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes are to refrain from transmitting. To determine the area is configured to be based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes. The one of more first indications are configured to be based on the location of the third node. The first node is further configured to initiate sending the second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes. The second indication is configured to indicate that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the first second node. The first second node is configured to handle the co-existence of the one or more second nodes comprising the first second node, and the third node. The one or more second nodes are configured to operate in the wireless communications network. The one or more second nodes and the third node are further configured to operate in the shared spectrum. The first second node is further configured to receive the second indication from the first node configured to operate in the wireless communications network. The second indication is configured to indicate that the second nodes in at least the first set of the one or more second nodes, based on the determined area, are to refrain from transmitting. The area is configured to be based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes. The one of more first indications are configured to be based on the location of the third node. The first second node is further configured to determine whether or not to transmit based on the second indication configured to be received.

According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the second second node. The second second node is configured to handle the co-existence of the one or more second nodes comprising the second second node, and the third node. The one or more second nodes are configured to operate in the wireless communications network. The one or more second nodes and the third node are configured to operate in the shared spectrum. The second second node is further configured to measure the one or more signals from the third node over the one or more spectrum portions. The second second node is further configured to send the at least one first indication to the first node configured to operate in the wireless communications network. The at least one indication is configured to be based on the measured one or more signals. The at least one first indication is configured to enable the first node to determine the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes are to refrain from transmitting. The

determining is configured to be based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes. The one of more first indications are configured to be based on the location of the third node.

According to a seventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the first node.

According to an eighth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the first node.

According to a ninth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the first second node.

According to a tenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the first second node.

According to an eleventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the second second node.

According to a twelfth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the second second node.

By the first node determining the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes are not to transmit, that is, are to refrain from transmitting, and by the determining being based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes in the wireless communications network, the first node may determine a smaller, or more accurate, area than that achieved with existing methods. Moreover, processing overhead may be reduced by the first node determining itself the area, instead of each of the one or more second nodes performing that determination individually. Therefore, the management of the co-existence of the one or more second nodes and the third node is improved, and so is the overall function of the wireless communications network.

By the first second node determining whether or not to transmit based on the received second indication, the task on each aggressor device to decide if it should or should not transmit based on channel sensing is removed. This decision is centralized at the first node. By taking into account the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes in the decision, the area where the at least the first set of the one or more second nodes are not allowed to transmit can be smaller or more accurate, and hence the number of affected second nodes may be reduced or more accurate.

Therefore, the first second node may make a more accurate determination of whether or not it should refrain from transmitting, and avoid unnecessarily refraining from

transmitting. By the second second node sending the at least one first indication to the first node based on the measured one or more signals from the third node, the second second node enables the first node to determine the area, and therefore enables to achieve the benefits just described .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and according to the following description.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hidden node problem.

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a wireless

communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 3 is a depicting embodiments of a method in a first node, according to

embodiments herein.

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of embodiments of a method in first second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of embodiments of a method in second second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a method in a wireless

communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a method in a wireless

communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of embodiments of a method in second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of embodiments of a method in second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of embodiments of a method in second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 11 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a first node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a first node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a first second node, according to embodiments herein. Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a second second node, according to embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Terminologies

The following commonly terminologies may be used in the embodiments and are elaborated below:

Radio network node: In some embodiments the non-limiting term radio network node may be commonly used and it refers to any type of network node serving UE and/or connected to other network node or network element or any radio node from where a UE may receive a signal. Examples of radio network nodes are Node B, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNode B, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller, relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), Access Point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in Distributed Antenna System (DAS) etc.

Network node: In some embodiments a more general term "network node" may be used and it may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which may communicate with at least a radio network node. Examples of network node may be any radio network node stated above, core network node, e.g., Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc . , Operational and Maintenance (O&M), Operational Support Systems (OSS), Self Organizing Network (SON), positioning node, e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC), Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) etc.

User equipment: In some embodiments the non-limiting term User Equipment (UE) may be used and it refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a radio network node in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE may be a target device, a device to device UE, a machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine communication, a PDA, an iPAD, a Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, Laptop Embedded Equipment (LEE), a Laptop Mounted Equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

The embodiments herein also apply to the multi-point carrier aggregation systems. As part of the development of the embodiments disclosed herein, a problem associated with existing methods will first be identified and discussed.

Existing methods are based on the RLAN device doing the energy measurement of the channels on which it intends to transmit as well as taking the decision regarding 5 transmission. This decision is based on an energy detection threshold level to be set by the standards. Such threshold is based on the worst case scenario, which is when a single RLAN device detects the victim receiver that is located between the victim transmitter and the aggressor transmitter, i.e. hidden node problem. The representation in Figure 1 of the hidden node problem is in fact a simplified view, based on the

10 assumption that the location of VTx is known. In actuality, when energy is detected by the ITx, the location of the VRx that has to be protected may be anywhere in a disk with radius potentially much larger than Rc, which is not represented in the Figure. This results in that the area to be unnecessarily protected is even larger than that depicted in the simplified view of Figure 1.

15 Embodiments herein address the problem just described based on the fact that real deployments of RLAN may involve multiple devices, and this may be used herein to optimize the ED mitigation technique.

Embodiments herein may be understood to relate to methods of collaborative sensing. Embodiments herein may be understood to relate to RLAN, LAA, WiFi,

20 802.1 1ac, ITS, LTE, 802.1 1 p. The established threshold to detect the victim system may be unnecessarily tight, since the threshold, e.g., ED threshold, is based in the worst case scenario. Embodiments herein propose to make use of the network in order to estimate the area on which the victim system, such as VTx and VRx, may be positioned, create an exclusion zone around it, and distribute information of occupied channels to all network

25 nodes within the exclusion zone. If multiple network nodes are available in the victim

proximity area, the victim position may be better determined, which means that the radius around the victim system on which RLAN devices are not allowed to transmit may be decreased. The required detection threshold in embodiments herein may depend on the network node closest to the victim, and not on a worst case scenario.

30

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples are shown. In this section, the embodiments herein will be illustrated in more detail by a number of exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments herein are not mutually exclusive. Components 35 from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments.

Note that although terminology from 3GPP LTE has been used in this disclosure to exemplify the embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

Figure 2 depicts a wireless communications network 100 in which embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communications network 100 may for example be a network such as a Long-Term Evolution (LTE), e.g., LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) TDD, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, GSM/Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) network, EDGE network, network comprising of any combination of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as e.g. Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) base stations, multi-RAT base stations etc., any 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular network, WiFi network, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WMax), 5G system or any cellular network or system.

The wireless communications network 100 comprises a first node 101 , and one or more second nodes 102, which one or more second nodes 102 comprise a second node 102. In some embodiments, the wireless communications network 100 comprises a third node 103, although in other embodiments, the third node 103 may not be part of the wireless communications network 100. The one or more second nodes 102 may comprise, in some embodiments, a first second node 111 , and a second second node

112. In the non-limiting example of Figure 2, the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first second node 111 , the second second node 112, and a third second node

113. Any reference herein to the one or more second nodes 102 may be understood to apply to any of the first second node 1 11 , the second second node 112, and the third second node 1 13 , unless otherwise indicated. The usage of the terms "first", "second" or "third" herein may be understood to be to refer to different nodes, and does not imply a hierarchical or cumulative relationship between the nodes. Each of the first node 101 , the one or more second nodes 102, and the third node 103 may be a base station, such as e.g., an eNB, eNodeB, or a Home Node B, a Home eNode B, femto Base Station, BS, AP, or any other network unit capable to serve a wireless device or a machine type

communication device in the wireless communications network 100. Such a network unit may also be referred to as a network node. Each of the first node 101 , the one or more second nodes 102, and the third node 103 may be e.g., a macro eNodeB, or pico base station, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. In some particular embodiments, each of the first node 101 , the one or more second nodes 102, and the third node 103 may be a stationary relay node or a mobile relay node. Typically, the first node 101 , the one or more second nodes 102, and the third node 103 may be stationary nodes.

The first node 101 may also be a core network node, e.g., MSC, MME etc... , O&M, OSS, SON, positioning node, e.g., E-SMLC, MDT etc., or a network node being connected to the one or more second nodes 102, and having a capability to control the one or more second nodes 102 . In particularly preferred examples, as shown in the non- limiting example of Figure 2, the first node 101 is a core network node, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third network node 103 are network nodes.

The wireless communications network 100 covers a geographical area which is divided into cells, wherein each cell is served by a network node, although, one network node may serve one or several cells. In the example depicted in Figure 2, the first second node 1 11 serves a first cell 121 , the second second node 112 serves a second cell 122, the third second node 113 serves a third cell 123, and the third node 103 serves a fourth cell 124. Typically, the wireless communications network 100 may comprise more cells similar to the first cell 121 , the second cell 122, the third cell 123 and the fourth cell 124, served by their respective network nodes. This is not depicted in Figure 2 for the sake of simplicity. Each of the first node 101 , the one or more second nodes 102, and the third node 103 may support one or several communication technologies, and its name may depend on the technology and terminology used. It may also be noted that the term cell, as used herein, may also refer to the serving area of a network node in 5G technologies, which may be referred to by another term. The first second node 1 11 may communicate with the first node 101 over a first link 131 , the second second node 112 may communicate with the first node 101 over a second link 132, and the third second node 1 13 may communicate with the first node 101 over a third link 133. Each of the first link 131 , the second link 132 and the third link 133 may be a wired or a wireless link, e.g., a radio link. In some particular examples, some of the one or more second nodes 102 may be located indoors as shown in Figure 2, for the first second node 11 1.

More specifically, the following are embodiments related to a first node, such as the first node 101 , and a second node 102, such as the first second node 11 1 , and the second second node 1 12.

Embodiments of a method performed by the first node 101 for handling a coexistence of the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted depicted in Figure 3. The first node 101 and the one or more second nodes 102 operate in the wireless communications network 100.

The one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operate in a shared spectrum. A shared spectrum may be understood in general as a spectrum that is not licensed to a particular usage or type of user, e.g., a mobile operator. One example of a shared spectrum may be unlicensed spectrum. That the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operate in the shared spectrum may be understood as e.g., that the or more second nodes 102 may partially operate in the shared spectrum, or that the or more second nodes 102 may share or have access to the shared spectrum with the third node 103. For example, the or more second nodes 102 may transmit or receive transmissions in the shared spectrum.

The one or more second nodes 102 may be understood as potentially aggressor nodes whose transmissions may create interference for the third node 103, which may be understood as a victim node. In some embodiments, the first node may be a core network node, each of the one or more second nodes 102 may be a secondary node, or a

"secondary system node", and the third node 103 may be a primary node, or a "primary system node".

As explained above, operation in a shared spectrum may require channel sensing through energy detection in order to avoid collisions or interference in the spectrum. In order to decrease the threshold level of energy detection to be set by the standards, embodiments herein may make use of the network in order to estimate the area on which a victim system such as the third node 103 may be positioned, create an exclusion zone around it, and distribute information of occupied channels to all network nodes within the exclusion zone. The method may comprise some or all of the following actions. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. In Figure 3, optional actions are indicated with dashed lines. The order in which the actions may be performed by the first node 101 may be different than that described herein.

Action 301

In order to be able to estimate the position of the third node 103 to pinpoint the area of exclusion of transmission to be built around it based on a more accurate scenario than the worst case scenario contemplated by existing methods, in this Action 301 , the first node 101 may receive one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102.

In some embodiments, the one or more first indications may be based on respective measurements by the one or more second nodes 102 of one or more signals from the third node 103 over one or more spectrum portions, of the shared spectrum. The one or more signals may be radio signals. The one or more second nodes 102 may be part of a network operating as a licensed service in a different band, but equipped with sensing capability for the unlicensed band on which the ED may be performed.

The one or more first indications may be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, e.g., expressed in decibel-milliwatts (dBm), and a path loss measurement, e.g., expressed in dB as a function of a distance in meters (m). Therefore, the one or more first indications may be reports of such measurements. The one of more first indications may be also referred to herein as "report messages". The one of more first indications may be based on a location of the third node 103, as the location of the third node 103 may determine the strength and or quality of the signals detected in the measurements. As for how the path loss measurement may have been obtained by each of the one or mode second nodes 102, one example is when the third node 103 may be known, e.g., when it is an ITS. In such a case, its maximum allowed transmit power (TXmax) may be known, and a first estimate of the path loss may become the difference between TXmax and the received sensing power, with adjustments for sensing node antenna gain. Another example, may be when multiple one or more second nodes 102 may detect or measure the transmission (Tx) power of the third node 103. In this case, circles may be drawn around each of the multiple one or more second nodes 102 representing a specific TX power of the third node 103. When all circles from all the multiple one or more second nodes 102 overlap, as determined e.g., by the first node 101 , an estimated Tx power of the third node 103 may be achieved. The first node 101 may distribute the found information among the one or more second nodes 102, and hence, it may be possible to calculate the path loss in future measurements with increased accuracy.

The one of more first indications may comprise an indicator, e.g., coordinates, of the location of each of the one or more second nodes 102.

This Action 301 may be understood as a form of collaborative sensing in the wireless communications network 100 in the sense that the first node 101 , by being in communication with the one or more second nodes 102 may take advantage of the sensing in the shared spectrum of the signals from the third node 103, to determine the location of the third node 103.

The receiving in this Action 301 may be performed, e.g., over any of the first link 131 , the second link 132 and the third link 133.

In some embodiments, the receiving 301 the one or more first indications may be based on a periodicity determined by the first node 101.

Non-limiting particular examples of the one or more first indications are provided later, in relation to Figures 6-7.

Action 302

By the first node 101 receiving the one or more first indications, the first node 101 may be enabled to determine the location of the third node 103. This is because the first node 101 may take a decision regarding the presence of the third node 103 in a specific channel based on the combined energy detected in different pre-defined channels of the shared spectrum. The third node 103 may be considered to be present in a certain channel if the measured energy level by at least one second node 102 is above a predefined ED threshold. In case the third node 103 is present, its position may be calculated, or more specifically, the area, which may be also referred to herein as location area, in which this is located may be identified e.g., by triangulation methods, so that an exclusion zone or area on which the one or more second nodes 102 may not be allowed to transmit around the third node 103 may be created in the next Action 303.

In this Action 302, the first node 101 may therefore determine the location of the third node 103. The determining 302 the location may be based on the received one or more first indications. The determining the location in this Action 302 may be

implemented, for example, by known triangulation methods. Overlaps of individual location areas may also be used, wherein each individual node of the one or more second nodes 102 may compute a location area where the third node 103 may be located. Based on a combination of all the computed individual location areas by each of the one or more second nodes 102, an overlap location area may be determined by the first node 101 , which may be the overlap area, present in all individual location areas computed by all of the one or more second nodes 102. This overlap area may be obtained, e.g., by setting "AND" operations of potential location areas indicated by the one or more first indications. This may be the location area, where the third node 103 may be located. Other methods may be known to those of skill in the art. Action 303

To determine where the potentially interfering one or more second nodes 102 may need to refrain from transmitting so that their transmissions may not be harmfully interfering the third node 103, in this Action 303, the first node 101 determines an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting. To refrain from transmitting may be understood as to stop transmission, or to not start new transmissions. The area may also be understood to be a region, or zone, that is, it may be understood to correspond to a volume in space. The area may be understood as a protection zone for the transmission and reception of signals of the third node 103. The area may be referred to herein as the "exclusion zone", or simply as the "area", unless the context indicates otherwise. This area may be understood to be different from the location area described in Action 302.

The determining in this Action 303 of the area is based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102. The one of more first indications, as explained earlier, are based on the location of the third node 103, e.g., as determined in Action 302.

The determining in this Action 303 of the area may be implemented, for example, as follows. Each of the one or more first indications may result in a large "single indication area", as per known methods. An ED threshold may be defined in order to be able to use any equipment. If a device does not fulfil the ED threshold, it may not be allowed to transmit on those channels requiring this ED threshold. If one of the one or more second nodes 102 is placed in a position where energy from the third node 103 is detected, a minimum area around the one of the one or more second nodes 102 where transmission is forbidden may be calculated, corresponding to the needed additional distance to reach the stipulated ED threshold. If also the third node 103 is assumed to transmit at its maximum power level, the distance to third node 103 may be estimated and added to the "minimum area" to get the "total area" from a single indication where each of the one or more second nodes 102 may be prohibited to transmit on this channel. The area which may be found present in each of the one or more "total areas", that is, the "single indication areas", as e.g., obtained by successive use of the "AND" operation on the one or more "single indication areas", may be used as the area determined in this Action 303. In another example, the "single indication area" may depend on the received power of the one or more signals from the third node 103, e.g., a large received power may for example mean that the third node 103 is likely to be close, hence a smaller "single indication" area may potentially be used.

The first node 101 may consider a fixed exclusion zone that may always apply when the third node 103 is detected, or it may be a set of values dependent on parameters such as the output power of the one or more nodes 102. Accordingly, the determining 303 the area may be based on one of: a fixed value, and a respective power of transmission of the one or more second nodes 102. Also, other aspects may be taken into account when calculating the area, e.g., if the one or more second nodes 102 are indoors, the determined area in this Action 303 may be smaller.

The at least first set of the one or more second nodes 102 may be understood to mean that not all the one or more second nodes 102 may be transmitting in the determined area, depending on their position, transmission power and transmission frequency with respect to the third node 103. Hence, based on the determined area and the location or transmission characteristics of the one or more second nodes 102, at least one of them, or a group of them, or in some cases all of them may need to refrain from transmitting.

The determining 303 the area wherein the at least a first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are not to transmit, may be understood to comprise in some

embodiments determining an area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to transmit, and then determining the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are not to transmit, based on the determined area wherein the at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to transmit.

To refrain from transmitting may be understood to mean to refrain from transmitting in at least a portion of the shared spectrum. This is because in some embodiments, the third node 103 may operate on a first spectrum portion. The first spectrum portion may be comprised in the shared spectrum. To avoid creating interference with the third node 103, the one or more second nodes 102 may be not allowed to transmit in the first spectrum portion when it is in use by the third node 103. The first node 101 may therefore take a decision on the area, per channel, e.g., frequency range. That is, in some embodiments, the one or more second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting in a first spectrum portion when it is in use by the third node 103.

In some embodiments wherein the third node 103 may operate on the first spectrum portion, and wherein at least a second set of the one or more second nodes 102 may operate on a second spectrum portion, the receiving 301 the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102 may comprise receiving a first set of the one or more first indications from the second set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on respective measurements in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node 103. As stated earlier, the first spectrum portion may be comprised in the shared spectrum. The second set of the one or more second nodes 102 may be the same as the first set, be contained in the first set, or partially overlap with the first set of the one or more second nodes 102.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the determining the area in this Action 303 may be performed for each spectrum portion of two or more spectrum portions, e.g., two different frequency ranges.

Action 304

In this Action 304, the first node 101 may determine which of the one or more second nodes 102 may comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on a position of the one or more second nodes 102 with respect to the location of the third node 103.

In some embodiments, the determining 304 which of the one or more second nodes 102 may comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 may be based on the location of the third node 103, as determined by the first node 101 in Action 302. The determining in this Action 304 may also be based on the one or more first indications. For example, the position of the one or more second nodes 102 may be reported in the one or more first indications. Action 305

In this Action 305, the first node 101 initiates sending a second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102. The second indication indicates that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting. The second indication may for example be a message comprising an instruction to refrain from transmitting. The second indication may also be referred to herein as a "transmission decision". The second indication may therefore be based on a result of the determining in Action 304.

To initiate sending may be understood as the first node 101 sending the second indication itself, or triggering or causing another node to send the second indication. The sending 305 may be performed, e.g., over any of the first link 131 , the second link 132 and the third link 133. The second indication may be transmitted as an example via a broadcast message, wirelessly or wired, from the first node 101 and include the coordinates of the regions where nodes may need to stop transmission, that is, the "Exclusion zone" in a specific channel or where nodes may transmit, that is an "allowed zone". In addition, several exclusion zone values, or allowed zones, may be added in this message.

The second indication may comprise an identifier of the determined which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, which are to refrain from transmitting, that is, which are not to transmit in the determined area. Another method may be that the broadcast message may include the identifier of those nodes that may need to stop transmission in specific channels. In this case, the first node 101 may need to consider the position of all the one or more second nodes 102, and the power level in case several exclusion zones or allowed zones may be considered, and identify those within the exclusion zone or allowed zone. Another method may be to transmit individual messages to those nodes that may need to stop

transmission or to not start new transmissions based on the decision of the first node 101.

Embodiments of a method performed by the first second node 1 11 for handling the co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 comprising the first second node 11 1 , and the third node 103, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted depicted in Figure 4. The one or more second nodes 102 operate in the wireless communications network 100. The one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operate in the shared spectrum.

The method may comprise some or all of the following actions. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. In Figure 4, an optional action is indicated with dashed lines. The order in which the actions may be performed by the first second node 1 11 may be different than that described herein. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 101 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, in some embodiments, the first node may be a core network node, each of the one or more second nodes 102 may be a secondary node, or a "secondary system node", and the third node 103 may be a primary node, or a "primary system node".

Action 401

In this Action 401 , the first second node 11 1 may send the at least one first indication to the first node 101. The at least one first indication may be comprised in the one or more first indications, that is, the one or more first indications may comprise the respective indications of all the one or more second nodes 102, whereas the at least one first indication may be understood to refer to that which may be sent by the first second node 1 11. The at least one indication may be based on a measurement by the first second node 1 11 of the one or more signals from the third node 103 over one or more spectrum portions. The sending in this Action 401 may be performed, e.g., over the first link 131.

The at least one first indication may be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement , e.g., of one or more signals from the third node 103 over one or more spectrum portions.

In some embodiments, the third node 103 may operate on a first spectrum portion, and the first second node 11 1 may operate on the first spectrum portion, that is, it may e.g., primarily or mainly operate on the first spectrum portion.

Similarly to what was explained earlier, in other embodiments, the third node 103 may operate on a first spectrum portion, and the first second node 1 11 may operate, e.g., primarily or mainly, on a second spectrum portion, and the at least one first indication from the first second node 11 1 may be based on at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of the one or more signals from the third node 103, the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

The sending the at least one first indication to the first node 101 in this Action 401 may comprise sending at least two first indications to the first network node 101 , the at least two first indications being comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications being based on measurements by the first second node 1 11 of the one or more signals from the third node 103 over two or more spectrum portions. The sending 401 the at least one first indication to the first node 101 , may be based on a periodicity determined by the first node 101.

Action 402

In this Action 402, the first second node 1 11 receives the second indication from the first node 101 operating in the wireless communications network 100. The second indication indicates that the second nodes in at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on the determined area, are to refrain from transmitting. As explained above, the first set may comprise only the first second node 1 11 , or comprise a different set of the one or more second nodes 102. The area, or exclusion zone, is based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102. That is, the area has been determined by the first node 101 based on collaborative sensing, as explained above. The one of more first indications are based on the location of the third node 103. The receiving in this Action 402 may be performed, e.g., over the first link 131.

In some embodiments, the second indication may comprise the identifier of which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, which are to refrain from transmitting, that is, which are not to transmit in the determined area.

Also as explained earlier, the one or more second nodes 102 may have to refrain from transmitting in the first spectrum portion when it is in use by the third node 103, the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

Action 403

In this Action 403, the first second node 1 11 determines whether or not to transmit based on the received second indication. That is, the first second node 1 11 may determine, based on the received second indication, whether to initiate or continue a transmission, or whether to not initiate a new transmission, or stop an ongoing

transmission. The first second node 1 11 may then act, transmit or refrain from

transmitting, according to the determination in this Action 401.

Embodiments of a method performed by the second second node 1 12 for handling the co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 comprising the second second node 112, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted depicted in

Figure 5. The one or more second nodes 102 operate in the wireless communications network 100. The one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operate in the shared spectrum.

The method may comprise some or all of the following actions. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. In Figure 5, optional actions are indicated with dashed lines. The order in which the actions may be performed by the second second node 112 may be different than that described herein.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 101 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, in some embodiments, the first node may be a core network node, each of the one or more second nodes 102 may be a secondary node, or a "secondary system node", and the third node 103 may be a primary node, or a "primary system node". Action 501

In this Action 501 , the second second node 1 12 measures one or more signals from the third node 103 over one or more spectrum portions. The one or more spectrum portions may be comprised in the shared spectrum.

The measuring in this Action 501 may comprise performing at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement.

The sending the at least one first indication to the first node 101 in this Action 501 , may be based on a periodicity determined by the first node 101.

Action 502

In this Action 502, the second second node 1 12 sends at least one first indication to the first node 101 operating in the wireless communications network 100. The at least one indication is based on the measured one or more signals. The at least one first indication enables the first node 101 to determine the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting, the determining being based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102. The one of more first indications are based on the location of the third node 103. The sending in this Action 502 may be performed, e.g., over the second link 132.

The at least one first indication may be understood as the respective one or more first indications of the second second node 1 12, of the one or more first indications. As explained earlier, the at least one first indication may be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement.

In some embodiments, the third node 103 may operate on the first spectrum portion, and the second second node 1 12 may operate, e.g., mainly or primarily, on a second 5 spectrum portion. The at least one first indication from the second second node 112 may be based on at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of the one or more signals from the third node 103, the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

In some embodiments, the sending the at least one first indication, in this Action 10 502, to the first node 101 may comprise sending at least two first indications to the first network node 101. The at least two first indications may be comprised in the one or more first indications. The at least two first indications may be based on measurements by the second second node 112 of one or more signals from the third node 103 over two or more spectrum portions.

15

Action 503

In this Action 503, the second second node 1 12 receives, based at least on the sent at least one first indication, the second indication from the first node 101. The second indication indicates that the second nodes in the at least the first set of the one or more

20 second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting. The receiving in this Action 503 may be performed, e.g., over the second link 132.

In some embodiments, the one or more second nodes 102 may not be allowed to transmit in the first spectrum portion when it is in use by the third node 103, the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

25 The second indication may comprise the identifier of the determined which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, which are to refrain from transmitting, that is, which are not to transmit in the determined area.

30 Action 504

In this Action 503, the second second node 112 determines whether or not to refrain from transmitting based on the received second indication. That is, the second second node 112 may determine, based on the received second indication, whether to initiate or continue a transmission, or whether to not initiate a new transmission, or stop an ongoing transmission. The second second node 1 12 may then act, transmit or refrain from transmitting, according to the determination in this Action 504.

Embodiments herein will now be further described in relation to particular examples, referred to herein as Method 1 and Method 2. A general scenario for Method 1 and Method 2 will be first described. In the following description, the first node 101 may be referred to as a core network, core network system, or a core network managing system. The first node 101 may be also referred to as a controlling node, or controlling network node.

Also in the following description, the one or more second nodes 102 may be referred to as a secondary system or secondary service, or aggressor system. Any of the one or more second nodes 102 may be referred to as a secondary system node, secondary node, or aggressor node, aggressor system, aggressor device or aggressor.

Also in the following description, the third node 103 may be referred to as a primary system or primary service, victim system, victim node, or victim.

General description of the scenario

The scenario under consideration may be such as a system, which may be referred to herein as secondary system/service in embodiments herein, which may not be allowed to use certain spectrum in the event that this may be being used by another system, which may be referred to herein as primary system in embodiments herein. Several nodes belonging to the primary service/system may be found in a certain geographical area. The primary system may not be interfered, and thus two different nodes of the primary system may be well separated physically. Method 1 and method 2 may be understood as learning processes. That is, that they may adapt to new nodes being added to the wireless communications network 100, and providing their own input to it, the wireless communications network 100. It may be also be considered that the nodes of the primary system may be pretty static, and thus Method 1 and Method 2 may improve accuracy of detection of the area where these nodes may be located. Such a scenario may be particularly relevant, e.g., in certain ITS systems. Figures 8 to 1 1 illustrate block diagrams of the procedure for the nodes of the secondary system, e.g., the first second node 11 1 , as well as for the core network management system, e.g., the first node 101. Example Method 1

Example Method 1 may mainly target outdoors scenarios, but may also be used in indoors scenarios. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating Example Method 1. Each node reports a message, as in Action 401 , or Action 502. The core network decides on the presence of the primary system, as in Action 302, and calculates the exclusion zone or allowed zone, if applicable, as in Action 303. The affected nodes of the secondary system within the exclusion zone are informed to not transmit or the nodes in the allowed zone are notified to transmit, as in Action 402, or Action 503.

Each node belonging to the secondary or aggressor system may perform energy detection (ED), as in Action 501 , in order to detect the presence of the primary system over a certain spectrum portion or channel, and may send a report to the core network management system, as in Action 502. The report may consist of measured energy level on the different predefined channels and the coordinates, e.g., x, y, z, of this secondary node, as an example. The core network management system may take a decision regarding the presence of the primary system in a specific channel based on the combined energy detected in the different pre-defined channels, see Figure 6. The primary system may be considered to be present in a certain channel if the measured energy level in at least one secondary node is above a pre-defined ED threshold. In case a primary system is present, its position may be calculated, as in Action 302, or more specifically, the area, that is the location area, in which this is located may be identified, and an exclusion zone or area on which the secondary system is not allowed to transmit around the primary system may be created, as in Action 303.

The core network may consider a fixed exclusion zone that may always apply when a primary service is detected, or it may be a set of values dependent on parameters such as the secondary node output power. The lower the output power of the secondary service, the smaller the exclusion zone. Also other aspects may be taken into account when calculating the exclusion zone, e.g., if the transmitter nodes are indoors, see Example Method 2 below. It may also be possible to instead of an exclusion zone where nodes may not transmit, an "allowed zone" may be transmitted. In this way, only nodes present within a specific zone, the "allowed zone", may be allowed to transmit. Also, this allowed zone may be of different sizes depending on secondary transmission power, i.e., the allowed zone may be larger if the transmission power is smaller.

Depending on the characteristics of the primary and secondary systems, e.g., node density, mobility, the frequency for sending the reports to the core network may be adjusted. For instance, if the primary nodes are static, then reports may be sent from the secondary nodes with less frequency while still keeping the accuracy of the core network's decision at a level that guarantees the protection of the primary nodes. Instead for nomadic nodes of the primary service, the frequency of the reports from the secondary service nodes may need to be higher to achieve adequate protection of the primary system. Additionally, the core network management system may have access to other environmental information, clutter, buildings, among others, that may improve the estimation of the area, as in Action 302, on which the primary system is located.

The area on which the primary service is located, that is the location area, may be calculated based on the ED measurements from the different nodes of the secondary system, e.g., as explained above. For example, in Figure 6, the different aggressor nodes may report the following regarding a first channel, e.g., channel 1 :

Nodel secondary system: channel 1 -80dBm, coordinates x1 , y1 , z1

Node2 secondary system: channel 1 -1 10dBm, coordinates x2, y2, z2

Node3 secondary system: channel 1 -70dBm, coordinates x3, y3, z3 Node4 secondary system: channel 1 -30dBm, coordinates x4, y4, z4

Where channel 1 may be a specific frequency range, for example 5855-5865 MHz. As stated above, the coordinates shown correspond to the location of each of the respective Nodes of the secondary system.

The core network may locate the primary service between aggressor 1 , aggressor 2, aggressor 3 and aggressor 4 and closest to aggressor 4 and furthest to aggressor 2, that is, furthest away from aggressor 2. This since all the aggressor nodes are in this example able to detect the primary service, that is, detect its signal with the power levels listed above, and since the strongest signal is found at Node4, Node4 may be considered to be the closest, and since the weakest signal is found at Node2, Node2 may be considered to be the one located furthest away. Another method to calculate the location area of the primary service, e.g., in Action 302, may be by combining the information received by individual nodes of the secondary system, e.g., in Action 301. Each node may calculate the path loss corresponding to the power level received on a specific channel. The path loss may then translated to a separation distance. The primary service may be located within a radius equal to the separation distance. For example, in Figure 6, the different aggressor nodes may report the following regarding channel 1 :

Nodel secondary system: channel 1 200 m, coordinates x1 , y1 , z1

Node2 secondary system channel 1 500 m , coordinates x2, y2, z2 Node3 secondary system: channel 2 50 m, coordinates x3, y3, z3

Node4 secondary system: channel 1 40 m, coordinates x4, y4, z4

Again, the coordinates shown here correspond to the location of each of the respective Nodes of the secondary system.

The core network may locate the primary service by calculating the overlaps between the different areas calculated for each of the nodes in the secondary system. Each area may be understood in this example as the circle around the respective aggressor node with the radius as listed above.

Each node of the secondary system may perform ED in the different predefined channels and report to the core network, as in Action 401 , or Action 510 . For example, in Figure 6, the different aggressor nodes may report the following:

Nodel secondary system: channel 1 -80dBm, coordinates x1 , y1 , z1 channel 2 -90dBm channel 3 -1 10dBm Node2 secondary system: channel 1 -110dBm, coordinates x2, y2, z2 channel 2 -200dBm channel 3 -30dBm Node3 secondary system: channel 1 -70dBm, coordinates x3, y3, z3 channel 2 -150dBm channel 3 -40dBm Node4 secondary system: channel 1 -30dBm, coordinates x4, y4, z4 channel 2 -lOOdBm channel 3 -80 dBm

where channel 1 , 2 and 3 may be specific frequency ranges, for example 5855-5865 MHz, 5865-5875 MHz and 5875-5885 MHz, and wherein the coordinates shown correspond to the location of each of the respective Nodes of the secondary system. The core network may take a decision on exclusion zone, as in Action 303, per channel.

The "exclusion zone message" may be, as in Action 305, transmitted as an example via a broadcast message, wirelessly or wired, from the core network and include the coordinates of the regions where nodes may need to stop transmission, that is, the "Exclusion zone" in a specific channel or where nodes may transmit, that is an "allowed zone". In addition, several exclusion zone values, or allowed zones, may be added in this message. The nodes of the secondary service may then read this message, as in Action 402, or Action 503, and identify if they need to stop transmissions or not initiate a new transmission. Another method may be that the broadcast message may include the identifier of those nodes that may need to stop transmission in specific channels. In this case, the core network may need to consider the position of all the secondary system nodes, and the power level in case several exclusion zones or allowed zones may be considered, and identify those within the exclusion zone or allowed zone, as in Action 304. In this scenario, all calculations and decisions may be done at the core network.

Another method may be to transmit individual messages to those nodes that may need to stop transmission or to not start new transmissions based on the core network decision. Example Method 2

Example Method 2 may be understood as mainly targeting indoors scenarios, but may also be used in outdoor scenarios, see Figure 7. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating Example Method 2. Secondary system nodes 1 to 4 in Figure 7 may be deployed in a different frequency band than the secondary system indoors, but are equipped with sensing capability. Each node reports a message, as in Action 401 , or Action 502. The core network decides on the presence of the primary system, as in Action 302, and calculates the exclusion zone or allowed zone, if applicable, as in Action 303. The affected nodes of the secondary system within the exclusion zone are informed, following Action 305, to not transmit or the nodes within the allowed zone are notified to transmit.

The core network may receive, as in Action 301 , report messages from nodes belonging to the secondary system and located outdoors. The outdoors secondary nodes in this method may be part of a macro/micro/pico network operating as a licensed service in a different band, but equipped with sensing capability for the unlicensed band on which the ED is done.

In case a primary system is present, the area where this primary system is present may be calculated, as in Action 302, and an exclusion zone or area on which the secondary system is not allowed to transmit around the primary system may be created, as in Action 303. It is also possible to create an "allowed zone" instead, similarly to as in Example Method 1.

The exclusion zone or allowed zone may be identified as in Method 1.

The core network management system may report to the affected indoors nodes within the exclusion zone to stop transmitting or to the ones within the allowed zone to transmit. The same method to report the exclusion zone or allowed zone as in Example Method 1 may be used. In the example of Figure 7, the outdoor nodes are used for sensing and the indoor system is then informed on whether to refrain from transmitting or not, such that the sensing is separated from the usage of the spectrum. The indoor system may be more likely to suffer from the hidden node problem due to outdoor-to- indoor loss. This may be understood as that the indoor system may not able to detect the victim transmitter due to the additional loss from the indoor-outdoor wall. The victim receiver may however be located close to the indoor node and may be interfered by the indoor node. The outdoor nodes used for sensing may be able to detect the victim transmitter and report this, so the system may calculate an area where the indoor node may need to refrain from transmitting. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by the node of the secondary system in Example Method 1 , in correspondence e.g., with the method described in Figure 5 for the second second node 1 12. Any of nodes the belonging to the secondary system, e.g., the first second node 11 1 , may perform measurements in the different channels in Action 501 and report them to the network, e.g., the first node 101 , in Action 401 or 502, as the one or more first indications. In Action 503, the node belonging to the secondary system may receive and read the second indication, that is, the transmission decision received from the network and, determine to transmit at Action 504a, if it has received the OK to transmit, or to refrain from transmitting, at Action 504b, if it has received that that it is not OK to transmit. The method may then be re-started after a fixed period, e.g., x or y, or when the core network, e.g., the first node 101 , requests a new measurement.

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by the sensing nodes, that is, nodes from the one or more second nodes 102 such as the second second node 1 12, belonging to a different frequency band than the secondary indoor system in Example Method 2, in correspondence with the method described in Figure 5. In this case, such nodes may only perform the measurements in each of the different channels of the shared spectrum in Action 501 , and then send the one or more first indications to the first node 101 in Action 502. The method may then be re-started after a fixed period, e.g., y, or when the core network, e.g., the first node 101 , requests a new measurement.

Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by the nodes of the secondary system located indoors in Example Method 2, that is, nodes from the one or more second nodes 102 such as the first second node 1 11 , in correspondence with the method described in Figure 4. In Action 402, the node belonging to the secondary system may read the second indication, that is, the transmission decision received from the network and, determine at Action 403a, to transmit, if it has received the OK to transmit, or determine, at Action 403b, to refrain from transmitting if it has received that that it is not OK to transmit. The method may then be re-started after a fixed period, e.g., x, or when the core network, e.g., the first node 101 , requests a new measurement.

Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method that may be performed by the core network system, such as the first node 1 11 , in Example Method 1 and

Example Method 2, in correspondence with the method described in Figure 3. In Action 301 , the core network system receives and reads the reports from the nodes of the secondary system, as the one or more first indications. In Action 302, the core network determines the location of the third node 103. If the presence of the third node 103 is detected, in Action 303, the core network determines the exclusion zone, and sends the second indication, the transmission decision, in Action 305 to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102. The method may then be re-started.

According to the foregoing, embodiments herein may be related to making use of the network and energy detection in order to estimate the area or location area, on which a victim system may be positioned, create an exclusion zone around it, possibly dependent on intended power of the aggressor system, and distribute information of occupied channels to all network nodes within the exclusion zone. The required detection threshold in embodiments herein may depend on the network node closest to the victim and not on a worst case scenario.

An advantage of embodiments herein is that they reduce the protection area, or exclusion zone, around the victim system on which the aggressor may not be allowed to transmit, compared to existing methods, without increasing harmful interference.

Another advantage of embodiments herein is that they remove the task on each aggressor device to decide if it should or should not transmit. This decision is centralized at the core network.

Yet another advantage of embodiments herein is that they are technology neutral from an aggressor and victim perspective. That is, that no specific assumption of the used radio access technology by the aggressor and victim systems may need to be made.

To perform the method actions described above in relation to Figures 3, 6-7, and 1 1 , the first node 101 is configured to handle the co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103. The first node 101 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 12. In Figure 12, optional modules are indicated with dashed boxes. As stated earlier, the first node 101 and the one or more second nodes 102 are configured to operate in the wireless communications network 100, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 are further configured to operate in the shared spectrum.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 101 , and will thus not be repeated here.

The first node 101 is further configured to, e.g., by means of a determining module 1201 configured to, determine the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting. To determine the area is configured to be based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102, the one of more first indications being configured to be based on the location of the third node 103. The determining module 1201 may be a processor 1205 of the first node 101 , or an application running on such processor.

In some embodiments, to determine the area may be configured to be performed for each spectrum portion of two or more spectrum portions.

The one or more second nodes 102 may have to refrain from transmitting in the first spectrum portion when it is in use by the third node 103. The first spectrum portion may be configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

The first node 101 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of the determining module 1201 configured to, determine which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on the position of the one or more second nodes 102 with respect to the location of the third node 103.

The first node 101 is further configured to, e.g., by means of an initiating module 1202 configured to, initiate sending the second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, the second indication being configured to indicate that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting. The initiating module 1202 may be the processor 1205 of the first node 101 , or an application running on such processor.

The second indication may comprise the identifier of the configured to be

determined which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, which are to refrain from transmitting. In some embodiments, the first node 101 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of a receiving module 1203 configured to, receive the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102. The receiving module 1203 may be the processor 1205 of the first node 101 , or an application running on such processor.

The one or more first indications may be configured to be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement.

The first node 101 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of the determining module 1201 configured to, determine the location of the third node 103, wherein to determine the location may be configured to be based on the one or more first indications configured to be received.

In some embodiments, the one or more first indications may be configured to be based on the respective measurements by the one or more second nodes 102 of one or more signals from the third node 103 over the one or more spectrum portions.

The third node 103 may be configured to operate on the first spectrum portion, and at least the second set of the one or more second nodes 102 may be configured to operate on the second spectrum portion, and to receive the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102 may comprise to receive the first set of the one or more first indications from the second set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on the respective measurements in the first spectrum portion of the one or more signals from the third node 103. The first spectrum portion may be configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

The first node 101 may comprise other modules 1204.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1205 in the first node 101 depicted in Figure 12, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the first node 101. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the first node 101.

The first node 101 may further comprise a memory 1206 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1206 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first node 101.

In some embodiments, the first node 101 may receive information from the one or more second nodes 102, through a receiving port 1207. In some particular

embodiments, e.g., when the first node 101 may be a radio network node, the receiving port 1207 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in first node 101. In other embodiments, the first node 101 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 100 through the receiving port 1207. Since the receiving port 1207 may be in communication with the processor 1205, the receiving port 1207 may then send the received information to the processor 1205. The receiving port 1207 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1205 in the first node 101 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the one or more second nodes 102, through a sending port 1208, which may be in communication with the processor 1205, and the memory 1206.

The first node 101 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the first node 101 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the one or more second nodes 102. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the determining module 1201 , the initiating module 1202, the receiving module 1203, and the other modules 1204 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital modules, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1205, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, in some embodiments, the different modules 1201-1204 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 1205. Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first node 101 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1209 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1205, cause the at least one processor 1205 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first node 101. The computer program 1209 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1210. The computer- readable storage medium 1210, having stored thereon the computer program 1209, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1205, cause the at least one processor 1205 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first node 101. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1210 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 1210, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 1209 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1209 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1210, as described above.

To perform the method actions described above in relation to Figures 4, 6-7, and 10, the first second node 11 1 is configured to handle the co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 comprising the first second node 11 1 , and the third node 103. At least some of the one or more second nodes 102, e.g., the first second node 1 11 , may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 13. In Figure 13, optional modules are indicated with dashed boxes. As stated earlier, the one or more second nodes 102 are configured to operate in the wireless communications network 100, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 are further configured to operate in the shared spectrum.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first second node 11 1 , and will thus not be repeated here.

The first second node 11 1 is further configured to, e.g., by means of a receiving module 1301 configured to, receive the second indication from the first node 101 configured to operate in the wireless communications network 100, the second indication being configured to indicate that the second nodes in at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on the determined area, are to refrain from transmitting. The area is configured to be based the on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102. The one of more first indications are configured to be based on the location of the third node 103. The receiving module 1301 may be a processor 1305 of the first second node 1 11 , or an application running on such processor.

The first second node 11 1 is further configured to, e.g., by means of a determining module 1302 configured to, determine whether or not to transmit based on the second indication configured to be received. The determining module 1302 may be the processor 1305 of the first second node 1 11 , or an application running on such processor.

The second indication may be configured to comprise a the identifier of which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, which are to refrain from transmitting.

In some embodiments, the first second node 11 1 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of a sending module 1303 configured to, send the at least one first indication to the first node 101 , the at least one first indication being configured to be comprised in the one or more first indications. The at least one indication may be configured to be based on the measurement by the first second node 11 1 of one or more signals from the third node 103 over the one or more spectrum portions. The sending module 1303 may be the processor 1305 of the first second node 11 1 , or an application running on such processor.

The at least one first indication may be configured to be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement.

The third node 103 may be configured to operate on the first spectrum portion, and the first second node 1 11 may be configured to operate on a second spectrum portion. The at least one first indication from the first second node 11 1 may be configured to be based on the at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of the one or more signals from the third node 103. The first spectrum portion may be configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

To send the at least one first indication to the first node 101 may be configured to comprise to send the at least two first indications to the first network node 101. The at least two first indications may be configured to be comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications may be configured to be based on the measurements by the first second node 11 1 of the one or more signals from the third node 103 over the two or more spectrum portions.

The first second node 1 11 may comprise other modules 1304. The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1305 in the first second node 11 1 depicted in Figure 13, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the first second node 11 1. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the first second node 11 1.

The first second node 11 1 may further comprise a memory 1306 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1306 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first second node 11 1.

In some embodiments, the first second node 11 1 may receive information from the first node 101 , through a receiving port 1307. In some particular embodiments, the receiving port 1307 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in first second node 11 1. In other embodiments, the first second node 11 1 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 100 through the receiving port 1307. Since the receiving port 1307 may be in communication with the processor 1305, the receiving port 1307 may then send the received information to the processor 1305. The receiving port 1307 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1305 in the first second node 11 1 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first node 101 , through a sending port 1308, which may be in communication with the processor 1305, and the memory 1306.

The first second node 11 1 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate

communications between the first second node 11 1 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first node 101. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

5 Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the receiving module 1301 , the determining module 1302, the sending module 1303, and the other modules 1304 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital modules, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1305, perform as

10 described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, in some embodiments, the different modules 1301-1304 described above may

15 be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 1305.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first second node 11 1 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program

20 1309 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1305, cause the at least one processor 1305 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first second node 11 1. The computer program 1309 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1310. The computer-readable storage medium 1310, having stored thereon the computer program

25 1309, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1305, cause the at least one processor 1305 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first second node 11 1. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1310 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 1310, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer

30 program 1309 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1309 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1310, as described above. To perform the method actions described above in relation to Figures 5, 6-7, and 8- 9, the second second node 112 is configured to handle the co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 comprising the second second node 112, and the third node 103. At least some of the one or more second nodes 102, e.g., the second second node 112, may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 14. In Figure 14, optional modules are indicated with dashed boxes. As stated earlier, the one or more second nodes 102 are configured to operate in the wireless communications network 100, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 are further configured to operate in the shared spectrum.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the second second node 112, and will thus not be repeated here.

The second second node 112 is further configured to, e.g., by means of a

measuring module 1401 configured to, measure the one or more signals from the third node 103 over the one or more spectrum portions. The measuring module 1401 may be a processor 1406 of the second second node 112, or an application running on such processor.

The second second node 1 12 is further configured to, e.g., by means of a sending module 1402 configured to, send the at least one first indication to the first node 101 configured to operate in the wireless communications network 100. The at least one indication is configured to be based on the measured one or more signals. The at least one first indication is configured to enable the first node 101 to determine the area wherein at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting. The determining is configured to be based on the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102, the one of more first indications being configured to be based on the location of the third node 103. The sending module 1402 may be the processor 1406 of the second second node 112, or an application running on such processor.

In some embodiments, the second second node 1 12 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of a receiving module 1403 configured to, determine whether or to refrain from transmitting based on the second indication configured to be received. The receiving module 1403 may be the processor 1406 of the second second node 112, or an application running on such processor. In some embodiments, the second second node 1 12 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of a determining module 1404 configured to, receive, based at least on the at least one first indication configured to be sent, the second indication from the first node 101. The second indication is configured to indicate that the second nodes in at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are to refrain from transmitting. The determining module 1404 may be the processor 1406 of the second second node 1 12, or an application running on such processor. The at least one first indication may be configured to be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement.

The third node 103 may be configured to operate on the first spectrum portion, and the second second node 112 may be configured to operate on a second spectrum portion.

The at least one first indication from the second second node 112 may be configured to be based on the at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of the one or more signals from the third node 103. The first spectrum portion may be configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

To send the at least one first indication to the first node 101 may be configured to comprise to send the at least two first indications to the first network node 101. The at least two first indications may be configured to be comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications may be configured to be based on the measurements by the second second node 112 of the one or more signals from the third node 103 over the two or more spectrum portions.

In some embodiments, the one or more second nodes 102 may be configured to not be allowed to transmit in the first spectrum portion when it may be in use by the third node

103. The first spectrum portion may be configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

The second indication may be configured to comprise the identifier of the

determined which of the one or more second nodes 102 comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, which are to refrain from transmitting.

The second second node 1 12 may comprise other modules 1405.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1406 in the second second node 112 depicted in Figure 14, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the second second node 112. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the second second node 112.

The second second node 112 may further comprise a memory 1407 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1407 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the second second node 112.

In some embodiments, the second second node 112 may receive information from the first node 101 , through a receiving port 1408. In some particular embodiments, the receiving port 1408 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in second second node 112. In other embodiments, the second second node 112 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 100 through the receiving port 1408. Since the receiving port 1408 may be in communication with the processor 1406, the receiving port 1408 may then send the received information to the processor 1406. The receiving port 1408 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1406 in the second second node 112 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first node 101 , through a sending port 1409, which may be in communication with the processor 1406, and the memory 1407.

The second second node 112 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the second second node 112 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first node 101. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the measuring module 1401 , the sending module 1402, the receiving module 1403, the determining module 1404, and the other modules 1405 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital modules, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1406, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, in some embodiments, the different modules 1401-1405 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 1406.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second second node 112 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1410 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1406, cause the at least one processor 1406 to carry out the action described herein, as performed by the second second node 112. The computer program 1410 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1411. The computer-readable storage medium 141 1 , having stored thereon the computer program 1410, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1406, cause the at least one processor 1406 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second second node 112. In some embodiments, the computer- readable storage medium 1411 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 141 1 , such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 1410 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1410 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 141 1 , as described above.

Examples related to any of the above described embodiments may be related to any of the following methods. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments.

More specifically, the following are examples related to a first node, such as the first node 101 and examples related to a first second node, such as the first second node 11 1. The first node 101 examples relate to the embodiments of Figures 3, 6, 7, 11 and

12.

A method performed by the first node 101 for handling a co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103, the first node 101 and the one or more 5 second nodes 102 operating in a wireless communications network 100, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operating in a spectrum, e.g., a shared spectrum, comprises the action of:

o Determining 303 an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are not to transmit, the determining 303 being based on one or

10 more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102, the one of more first

indications being based on a location of the third node 103. The first node 101 is configured to perform this determining 303 action, e.g. by means of a determining module 1201 within the first node 101.

In some examples, the method may comprise one or more of the following actions:

15 o Initiating sending 305 a second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, the second indication indicating that the second nodes in the first set are not to transmit in the determined area. The first node 101 may be configured to perform this initiating sending 305 action, e.g. by means of an initiating module 1202 within the first node 101.

20 o Determining 304 which of the one or more second nodes 102

comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes 102, based on a position of the one or more second nodes 102 with respect to the location of the third node 103. The first node 101 may be configured to perform this determining 304 action, e.g. by means of the determining module 1201 within the first node 101.

25 o Receiving 301 the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102. The first node 101 may be configured to perform this receiving 301 action, e.g. by means of a receiving module 1203 within the first node 101.

o Determining 302 the location of the third node 103, the determining

302 the location being based on the received one or more first indications. The first node

30 101 may be configured to perform this determining 302 action, e.g. by means of the

determining module 1201 within the first node 101.

The first second node 11 1 examples relate to Figures 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 13. A method performed by a first second node 1 11 for handling a co-existence of the

35 one or more second nodes 102 comprising the first second node 1 11 , and the third node 103, the one or more second nodes 102 operating in the wireless communications network 100, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operating in a shared spectrum comprises the actions of:

o Receiving 402 a second indication from a first node 101 operating in the wireless communications network 100, the second indication indicating that the second nodes in at least a first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are not to transmit in a determined area, the area being based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes 102, the one of more first indications being based on a location of the third node 103. The first second node 11 1 is configured to perform this receiving 402 action, e.g., by means of a receiving module 1301 within the first second node 11 1.

o Determining 403 whether or not to transmit in the determined area based on the received second indication. The first second node 1 11 may be configured to perform this determining 403 action, e.g., by means of the determining module 1302 within the first second node 1 11.

In some examples, the method may comprise the following action:

o Sending 401 at least one first indication to the first node 101 , the at least one first indication being comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least one indication being based on a measurement by the first second node 1 11 of one or more signals from the third node 103 over one or more spectrum portions. The first second node 1 11 may be configured to perform this sending 401 action, e.g., by means of a sending module 1303 within the first second node 1 11.

The second second node 112 embodiments relate to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 14. A method performed by the second second node 112 for handling a co-existence of the one or more second nodes 102 comprising the second second node 1 12, and the third node 103, the one or more second nodes 102 operating in the wireless communications network 100, and the one or more second nodes 102 and the third node 103 operating in a shared spectrum comprises the actions of:

o Measuring 501 one or more signals from the third node 103 over one or more spectrum portions. The second second node 1 12 is configured to perform this measuring 501 action, e.g. by means of a measuring module 1401 within the second second node 1 12. The measuring module 1401 may be a processor 1406 of the second second node 1 12, or an application running on such processor. o Sending 502 at least one first indication to a first node 101 operating in the wireless communications network 100, wherein the at least one first indication enables the first node 101 to determine an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are not to transmit, the determining being based on one or more 5 first indications from the one or more second nodes 102, the one of more first indications being based on a location of the third node 103. The second second node 1 12 may be configured to perform this sending 502 action, e.g. by means of a sending module 1402 within the second second node 1 12. The at least one first indication may be based on at least one of: an energy detection measurement, and a path loss measurement.

10 In some embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following

actions:

o Receiving 503 a second indication from the first node 101 , the second indication indicating that the second nodes in at least a first set of the one or more second nodes 102 are not to transmit in the determined area. The second second node 15 1 12 may be configured to perform this receiving 503 action, e.g. by means of a receiving module 1403 within the second second node 1 12.

o Determining 504 whether or not to transmit in the determined area based on the received second indication. The second second node 1 12 may be configured to perform this determining 504 action, e.g. by means of a determining module 20 1404 within the second second node 112.

When using the word "comprise" or "comprising" it shall be interpreted as non- limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

25 "Based on", as used herein, may be understood in general as "using", "considering", "relying on", "depending on", or any other similar expressions.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the 30 invention.

35

Claims

A method performed by a first node (101) for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes (102) and a third node (103), the first node (101) and the one or more second nodes (102) operating in a wireless communications network (100), and the one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) operating in a shared spectrum, the method comprising:

- determining (303) an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from transmitting, the determining (303) of the area being based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), the one of more first indications being based on a location of the third node (103), and

- initiating sending (305) a second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes (102), the second indication indicating that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting.

The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

- determining (304) which of the one or more second nodes (102) comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes (102), based on a position of the one or more second nodes (102) with respect to the location of the third node (103).

The method according to any of claims 1-2, further comprising:

- receiving (301) the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), and

- determining (302) the location of the third node (103), the determining (302) the location being based on the received one or more first indications.

The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the one or more first indications are based on respective measurements by the one or more second nodes (102) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over one or more spectrum portions.

The method according to claim 3, wherein the third node (103) operates on a first spectrum portion, and wherein at least a second set of the one or more second nodes (102) operate on a second spectrum portion, and wherein the receiving (301) the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102) comprises receiving a first set of the one or more first indications from the second set of the one or more second nodes (102), based on respective measurements in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node (103), the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the determining (303) the area is performed for each spectrum portion of two or more spectrum portions.

A method performed by a first second node (11 1) for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes (102) comprising the first second node (11 1), and a third node (103), the one or more second nodes (102) operating in a wireless communications network (100), and the one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) operating in a shared spectrum, the method comprising:

- receiving (402) a second indication from a first node (101) operating in the wireless communications network (100), the second indication indicating that the second nodes in at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102), based on a determined area, are to refrain from transmitting, the area being based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), the one of more first indications being based on a location of the third node (103), and

- determining (403) whether or not to transmit based on the received second indication.

The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

- sending (401) at least one first indication to the first node (101), the at least one first indication being comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least one indication being based on a measurement by the first second node (1 11) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over one or more spectrum portions.

The method according to claim 8, wherein the third node (103) operates on a first spectrum portion, and wherein the first second node (1 11) operates on a second spectrum portion, and wherein the at least one first indication from the first second node (11 1) is based on at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node (103), the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

10. The method according to any of claims 8-9, wherein the sending (401) the at least one first indication to the first node (101) comprises sending at least two first indications to the first network node (101), the at least two first indications being comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications being based on measurements by the first second node (1 11) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over two or more spectrum portions.

1 1. A method performed by a second second node (1 12) for handling a co-existence of one or more second nodes (102) comprising the second second node (112), and a third node (103), the one or more second nodes (102) operating in a wireless communications network (100), and the one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) operating in a shared spectrum, the method comprising:

- measuring (501) one or more signals from the third node (103) over one or more spectrum portions, and

- sending (502) at least one first indication to a first node (101) operating in the wireless communications network (100), the at least one indication being based on the measured one or more signals, wherein the at least one first indication enables the first node (101) to determine an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from

transmitting, the determining being based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), the one of more first indications being based on a location of the third node (103). 12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

- receiving (503) , based at least on the sent at least one first indication, a second indication from the first node (101), the second indication indicating that the second nodes in at least the first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from transmitting, and

- determining (504) whether or to refrain from transmitting based on the

received second indication.

13. The method according to any of claims 1 1-12, wherein the third node (103)

operates on a first spectrum portion, and wherein the second second node (1 12) operates on a second spectrum portion, and wherein the at least one first indication from the second second node (1 12) is based on at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node (103), the first spectrum portion being comprised in the shared spectrum.

14. The method according to any of claims 1 1-13, wherein the sending (502) the at least one first indication to the first node (101) comprises sending at least two first indications to the first network node (101), the at least two first indications being comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications being based on measurements by the second second node (112) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over two or more spectrum portions.

15. A first node (101) configured to handle a co-existence of one or more second

nodes (102) and a third node (103), the first node (101) and the one or more second nodes (102) being configured to operate in a wireless communications network (100), and the one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) being further configured to operate in a shared spectrum, the first node (101) being further configured to:

- determine an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from transmitting, wherein to determine the area is configured to be based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), the one of more first indications being configured to be based on a location of the third node (103), and

- initiate sending a second indication to at least the first set of the one or more second nodes (102), the second indication being configured to indicate that the second nodes in the first set are to refrain from transmitting.

16. The first node (101) according to claim 15, being further configured to:

- determine which of the one or more second nodes (102) comprise the first set of the one or more second nodes (102), based on a position of the one or more second nodes (102) with respect to the location of the third node (103).

17. The first node (101) according to any of claims 15-16, further configured to:

- receive the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), and

- determine the location of the third node (103), wherein to determine the

location is configured to be based on the one or more first indications configured to be received.

18. The first node (101) according to any of claims 15-17, wherein the one or more first indications are configured to be based on respective measurements by the one or more second nodes (102) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over one or more spectrum portions.

19. The first node (101) according to claim 18, wherein the third node (103) is

configured to operate on a first spectrum portion, and wherein at least a second set of the one or more second nodes (102) is configured to operate on a second spectrum portion, and wherein to receive the one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102) comprises to receive a first set of the one or more first indications from the second set of the one or more second nodes (102), based on respective measurements in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node (103), the first spectrum portion being configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

20. The first node (101) according to any of claims 15-19, wherein to determine the area is configured to be performed for each spectrum portion of two or more spectrum portions.

21. A first second node (1 11) configured to handle a co-existence of one or more

second nodes (102) comprising the first second node (11 1), and a third node (103), the one or more second nodes (102) being configured to operate in a wireless communications network (100), and the one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) being further configured to operate in a shared spectrum, the first second node (11 1) being further configured to:

- receive a second indication from a first node (101) configured to operate in the wireless communications network (100), the second indication being configured to indicate that the second nodes in at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102), based on a determined area, are to refrain from transmitting, the area being configured to be based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), the one of more first indications being configured to be based on a location of the third node (103), and

- determine whether or not to transmit based on the second indication

configured to be received.

22. The first second node (1 11) according to claim 21 , being further configured to:

- send at least one first indication to the first node (101), the at least one first indication being configured to be comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least one indication being configured to be based on a measurement by the first second node (11 1) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over one or more spectrum portions.

23. The first second node (1 11) according to claim 22, wherein the third node (103) is configured to operate on a first spectrum portion, and wherein the first second node (1 11) is configured to operate on a second spectrum portion, and wherein the at least one first indication from the first second node (11 1) is configured to be based on at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node (103), the first spectrum portion being configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

24. The first second node (11 1) according to any of claims 22-23, wherein to send the at least one first indication to the first node (101) is configured to comprise to send at least two first indications to the first network node (101), the at least two first indications being configured to be comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications being configured to be based on

measurements by the first second node (1 11) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over two or more spectrum portions.

25. A second second node (1 12) configured to handle a co-existence of one or more second nodes (102) comprising the second second node (1 12), and a third node

(103), the one or more second nodes (102) being configured to operate in a wireless communications network (100), and the one or more second nodes (102) and the third node (103) being configured to operate in a shared spectrum, the second second node (1 12) being further configured to:

- measure one or more signals from the third node (103) over one or more spectrum portions, and

- send at least one first indication to a first node (101) configured to operate in the wireless communications network (100), the at least one indication being configured to be based on the measured one or more signals, wherein the at least one first indication is configured to enable the first node (101) to determine an area wherein at least a first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from transmitting, the determining being configured to be based on one or more first indications from the one or more second nodes (102), the one of more first indications being configured to be based on a location of the third node (103).

26. The second second node (112) according to claim 25, further configured to:

- receive, based at least on the at least one first indication configured to be sent, a second indication from the first node (101), the second indication being configured to indicate that the second nodes in at least the first set of the one or more second nodes (102) are to refrain from transmitting, and

- determine whether or to refrain from transmitting based on the second

indication configured to be received.

27. The second second node (1 12) according to any of claims 25-26, wherein the third node (103) is configured to operate on a first spectrum portion, and wherein the second second node (1 12) is configured to operate on a second spectrum portion, and wherein the at least one first indication from the second second node (112) is configured to be based on at least one measurement in the first spectrum portion of one or more signals from the third node (103), the first spectrum portion being configured to be comprised in the shared spectrum.

28. The second second node (112) according to any of claims 25-27, wherein to send the at least one first indication to the first node (101) is configured to comprise to send at least two first indications to the first network node (101), the at least two first indications being configured to be comprised in the one or more first indications, and the at least two first indications being configured to be based on measurements by the second second node (112) of one or more signals from the third node (103) over two or more spectrum portions.