WO2021260413A1

WO2021260413A1 - Method, apparatus and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2021260413A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/055920
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Pedersen; Fuad ABINADER; Christian Rom
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2020-06-23
Filing date: 2020-06-23
Publication date: 2021-12-30

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment, receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell, performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal, determining the interference information based on the performed measurements and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

Description

Method, apparatus and computer program

Field

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to coordinated beam-based user equipment (UE) Dominant Interferer Ratio (DIR) measurements and related Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) actions.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices (also referred to as station or user equipment) and/or application servers. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, content data, time-sensitive network (TSN) flows and/or data in an industrial application such as critical system messages between an actuator and a controller, critical sensor data (such as measurements, video feed etc.) towards a control system and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session, for example, between at least two stations or between at least one station and at least one application server (e.g. for video), occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN) operating based on 3GPP radio standards such as E- UTRA, New Radio, satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (W1_AN). The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access one or more carriers provided by the network, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the one or more carriers. In carrier aggregation (CA) two or more carriers are combined into one channel. In dual connectivity (DC), two carriers from different sites are combined, that is a user equipment may be dual (or multi) connected to two (or more) sites.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) based on the E-UTRAN radio-access technology, and so-called 5G system (5GS) including the 5G or next generation core (NGC) and the 5G Access network based on the New Radio (NR) radio-access technology. 5GS including NR are being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment, receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell, performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal, determining the interference information based on the performed measurements and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, and dominant interference ratio, DIR, based on the performed measurements.

The determined interference information may comprise at least one of an indication of the determined SINR, an indication of the determined DIR, an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell and an indication of a dominant interferer beam. Means for providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network may comprise means for determining that a condition is met.

The condition may comprise at least one of a SI NR threshold, a DIR threshold and expiry of a time period.

The at least one beamformed signal may comprise a reference symbol or a synchronisation signal block.

The first information may comprise an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell and an indication of at least one of the reference symbols or synchronisation signal blocks.

The user equipment may have a plurality of antenna panels and receive a physical downlink shared channel and a physical downlink control channel at a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels. The apparatus may comprise means for performing measurements on the at least one beamformed signal received at the first antenna panel.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing an indication to the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

In a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing an indication to a neighbour cell of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving an indication of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information from a centralised unit.

The apparatus may comprise means for coordinating interference mitigation procedures with a neighbour cell based on the interference information.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving an indication from the user equipment at the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information. The apparatus may comprise means for providing the first information based on measurements received from the user equipment.

The measurements may be RRM measurements or CQI measurements.

The determined measurement information may comprise at least one of an indication of determined SINR, an indication of determined DIR, an indication of an identity of at least one neighbour cell and an indication of a dominant interferer beam index.

The first information may comprise an indication of an identity of at least one neighbour cell and an indication of at least one of the reference symbol or synchronisation signal block.

In a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

The information may comprise resource allocation for the at least one beamformed signal.

The first network entity may comprise a centralised unit. The second network entity may comprise a distributed unit.

The first network entity may comprise a first gNB. The second network entity may comprise a second gNB.

The first network entity may be associated with a first cell. The second network entity may be associated with a neighbour cell.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method comprising receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment, receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell, performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal, determining the interference information based on the performed measurements and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

The method may comprise determining at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, and dominant interference ratio, DIR, based on the performed measurements.

The determined interference information may comprise at least one of an indication of the determined SINR, an indication of the determined DIR, an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell and an indication of a dominant interferer beam.

Providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network may comprise determining that a condition is met.

The condition may comprise at least one of a SINR threshold, a DIR threshold and expiry of a time period.

The user equipment may have a plurality of antenna panels and receive a physical downlink shared channel and a physical downlink control channel at a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels. The method may comprise performing measurements on the at least one beamformed signal received at the first antenna panel.

The method may comprise providing an indication to the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

In a fifth aspect there is provided a method comprising providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network. The method may comprise providing an indication to a neighbour cell of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information.

The method may comprise receiving an indication of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information from a centralised unit.

The method may comprise coordinating interference mitigation procedures with a neighbour cell based on the interference information.

The method may comprise receiving an indication from the user equipment at the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

The method may comprise providing the first information based on measurements received from the user equipment.

The measurements may be RRM measurements or CQI measurements.

In a sixth aspect there is provided a method comprising providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

The at least one beamformed signal may comprise a reference symbol or a synchronisation signal block. The first network entity may comprise a centralised unit. The second network entity may comprise a distributed unit.

In a seventh aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; receive the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell, perform measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal, determine the interference information based on the performed measurements and provide the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

The apparatus may be configured to determine at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, and dominant interference ratio, DIR, based on the performed measurements.

The apparatus may be configured to determine that a condition is met.

The first information may comprise an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell and an indication of at least one of the reference symbols or synchronisation signal blocks. The user equipment may have a plurality of antenna panels and receive a physical downlink shared channel and a physical downlink control channel at a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels. The apparatus may be configured to perform measurements on the at least one beamformed signal received at the first antenna panel.

The apparatus may be configured to provide an indication to the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

In an eighth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: provide, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and receive determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

The apparatus may be configured to provide an indication to a neighbour cell of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information.

The apparatus may be configured to receive an indication of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information from a centralised unit.

The apparatus may be configured to coordinate interference mitigation procedures with a neighbour cell based on the interference information.

The apparatus may be configured to receive an indication from the user equipment at the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

The apparatus may be configured to provide the first information based on measurements received from the user equipment.

The measurements may be RRM measurements or CQI measurements.

The determined measurement information may comprise at least one of an indication of determined SINR, an indication of determined DIR, an indication of an identity of at least one neighbour cell and an indication of a dominant interferer beam index. The at least one beamformed signal may comprise a reference symbol or a synchronisation signal block.

In a ninth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: provide, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

In a tenth aspect there is provided a a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment, receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell, performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal, determining the interference information based on the performed measurements and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network. The apparatus may be caused to perform determining at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, and dominant interference ratio, DIR, based on the performed measurements.

The user equipment may have a plurality of antenna panels and receive a physical downlink shared channel and a physical downlink control channel at a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels. The apparatus may be caused to perform performing measurements on the at least one beamformed signal received at the first antenna panel.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing an indication to the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

In an eleventh aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing an indication to a neighbour cell of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information. The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving an indication of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information from a centralised unit.

The apparatus may be caused to perform coordinating interference mitigation procedures with a neighbour cell based on the interference information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving an indication from the user equipment at the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the first information based on measurements received from the user equipment.

The measurements may be RRM measurements or CQI measurements.

In a twelfth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

The first network entity may comprise a centralised unit. The second network entity may comprise a distributed unit. The first network entity may comprise a first gNB. The second network entity may comprise a second gNB.

In a thirteenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect, a method according to the fifth aspect or a method according to the sixth aspect.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example communication system comprising a base station and a plurality of communication devices;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a Neighbour Beam DIR Factor mechanism according to an example embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of alternative implementations for the setup and triggering of the usage of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor reporting according to an example embodiment; Figure 8 shows a flowchart of triggering setup for DIR Factor from RRM Measurements according to an example embodiment;

Figure 9 shows a flowchart of triggering setup for DIR Factor from CQI Measurements according to an example embodiment;

Figure 10 shows a flowchart of triggering DIR Factor from RRM Measurements according to an example embodiment;

Figure 11 shows a flowchart of triggering DIR Factor from CQI Measurements according to an example embodiment;

Figure 12 shows a flowchart of alternative implementations for the setting up and monitoring of resources for measuring Neighbour Beam DIR Factor according to example embodiment;

Figure 13 shows a flowchart of the setup of Setup Neighbour Beam Dl R Factor measurement using common time/frequency/space resource allocation opportunity;

Figure 14 shows a flowchart of the setup of Setup Neighbour Beam DIR Factor measurement using SSBs;

Figure 15 shows a flowchart of monitoring and reporting of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor over specific RS transmitted on common time/frequency/space resources;

Figure 16 shows a flowchart of monitoring and reporting of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor over SSB;

Figure 17 shows a signalling flow of an interference mitigation negotiation between gNB A and gNB B.

Detailed description

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples. In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in figure 1, mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 are provided wireless access via at least one base station (e.g. next generation NB, gNB) or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. Base stations may be controlled or assisted by at least one appropriate controller apparatus, so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile communication devices in communication with the base stations. The controller apparatus may be located in a radio access network (e.g. wireless communication system 100) or in a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as one central apparatus or its functionality may be distributed over several apparatuses. The controller apparatus may be part of the base station and/or provided by a separate entity such as a Radio Network Controller. In Figure 1 control apparatus 108 and 109 are shown to control the respective macro level base stations 106 and 107. The control apparatus of a base station can be interconnected with other control entities. The control apparatus is typically provided with memory capacity and at least one data processor. The control apparatus and functions may be distributed between a plurality of control units. In some systems, the control apparatus may additionally or alternatively be provided in a radio network controller.

In Figure 1 base stations 106 and 107 are shown as connected to a wider communications network 113 via gateway 112. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network.

The smaller base stations 116, 118 and 120 may also be connected to the network 113, for example by a separate gateway function and/or via the controllers of the macro level stations. The base stations 116, 118 and 120 may be pico or femto level base stations or the like. In the example, stations 116 and 118 are connected via a gateway 111 whilst station 120 connects via the controller apparatus 108. In some embodiments, the smaller stations may not be provided. Smaller base stations 116, 118 and 120 may be part of a second network, for example WLAN and may be WLAN APs.

The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples comprise time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and various schemes thereof such as the interleaved frequency division multiple access (I FDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA) and so on. An example of wireless communication systems are architectures standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A latest 3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. More recent developments of the LTE are often referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). The LTE (LTE-A) employs a radio mobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and a core network known as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Base stations of such systems are known as evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features such as user plane Packet Data Convergence/Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layer protocol (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol terminations towards the communication devices. Other examples of radio access system comprise those provided by base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area. Core network elements include Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW) and Packet Gateway (P-GW).

An example of a suitable communications system is the 5G or NR concept. Network architecture in NR may be similar to that of LTE-advanced. Base stations of NR systems may be known as next generation Node Bs (gNBs). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer QoS support, and some on-demand requirements for e.g. QoS levels to support QoE of user point of view. Also network aware services and applications, and service and application aware networks may bring changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so- called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

Future networks may utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into “building blocks” or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.

An example 5G core network (CN) comprises functional entities. The CN is connected to a UE via the radio access network (RAN). An UPF (User Plane Function) whose role is called PSA (PDU Session Anchor) may be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the DN (data network) and the tunnels established over the 5G towards the UE(s) exchanging traffic with the DN.

The UPF is controlled by an SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function). The CN may also include an AMF (Access & Mobility Function).

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts and other information.

A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201 , at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

Figure 3 shows an example embodiment of a control apparatus for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, eNB or gNB, a relay node or a core network node such as an MME or S-GW or P-GW, or a core network function such as AMF/SMF, or a server or host. The method may be implanted in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301 , at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

The following relates to 5G NR operation where gNBs are equipped with grid of beams (GoB). The deployment may be such that the performance is highly interference limited. This may be the case, for example, for FR1/FR2 dense macro and micro deployments, as well as for dense pico cell deployments, including indoor scenarios. When the interference starts to limit, or jeopardize, the link performance, mechanisms, e.g. taking interference coordination actions, should be in place to maintain good performance.

The focus in this document is on the downlink performance (i.e. UE receive performance), with emphasis on reactive beam-based inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) methods.

The DIR at the UE is metric that expresses the dominant interference power as compared to the total received interference. The improvement in UEs’ experienced SINR from cancelling the dominant interferer is proportional to the DIR, so the DIR is an essential metric for ICIC. Knowledge of the DIR may enable the Network (NW) to mute the dominant interferer for UE if there is sufficient gain for the victim UE that is subject to the interference.

When the gNBs are equipped with GoB, a UE is typically served through one beam at a time, and the experienced interference is also the result of beamformed transmissions. For UEs with multiple panels / beamforming capabilities, reception at the UE is typically through one panel, and one beam also. Hence, for such cases, the UE measurement of DIR shall reflect those gNB and UE beamforming effects to obtain a meaningful metric that can be used by the NW to conduct ICIC actions.

The principles of coordinating muting are understood, where one cell mutes certain time- frequency transmission resources to reduce the interference that it is causing for a victim UE served by another cell. The cell muting some of its resources may suffer a loss (having fewer transmission resources), while the victim UE will experience a benefit in terms of increased SINR as a result of the reduced interference. Hence, for muting to make sense, the benefit has to be larger than the loss. In this context, the DIR plays an important role, as the improvement in SINR (i.e. the benefit) at the UE from muting its dominant interferer / beam) is proportional with the UEs DIR. Hence, only for UEs with a DIR larger than 3dB and low SINR may it make sense to initiate coordinated cell muting. For NR systems with gNB GoBs, it is not trivial how to enable NW coordination to have the beam-based reference signal transmissions from different cell sites coordinated to allow the UE to measure a representative DIR. It is also not described in the open literature how DIR shall defined/measured for UEs with multiple panels / beamforming.

The following introduces mechanisms to enable beam-based dominant interference ratio (DIR) measurements at the UE as well as beam-based DIR reporting schemes, and related actions at the Network side. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at a user equipment.

In a first step, S1, the method comprises receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

In a second step, S2, the method comprises receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell.

In a third step, S3, the method comprises performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal.

In a fourth step, S4, the method comprises determining the interference information based on the performed measurements.

In a fifth step, S5, the method comprises providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

The method may comprise determining at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio (SI NR) and dominant interference ratio (DIR) based on the performed measurements.

The UE may monitor the indicated at least one beamformed signal then calculate the SI NR. The UE may measure the received interference from each of the indicated neighboring cell beamformed signals for estimating the DIR Factor, and identify from which neighbor cell beamformed signal it receives the highest interference, denoted the dominant interferer cell beam. The UE may calculate the DIR factor as the dominant interferer divided by the sum of the total received interference from the rest of cell beams.

The determined interference information may comprise at least one of an indication of the determined SINR, an indication of the determined DIR, an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell identity (e.g., Physical Cell ID (PCI) or Cell Global ID (CGI)) and an indication of a dominant interferer beam. The indication of the dominant interferer beam may comprise a dominant interferer beam index The at least one beamformed signal may comprise a reference symbol (RS) or a synchronisation signal block (SSB). The at least one beamformed signal may be referred to as a beam-based reference signal.

The first information may comprise an indication of at least one neighbour cell identity (e.g., PCI or CGI) and an indication of at least one of the reference symbol or synchronisation signal block. The first information may comprise a beam-based DIR measurement object.

In an example embodiment, signalling (e.g., RRC signalling) is provided from the NW to the UE to configure it with a beam-based DIR measurement object. The measurement object includes information on which beam-based reference signals to measure the DIR, as well as reporting conditions. Reporting conditions may be configured so that the NW triggers ICIC actions with an attractive benefits vs loss ratio, i.e. resulting in an overall network gain.

The RRM DIR measurement object may include information indicating which reference signals (e.g., non-zero-power channel state information reference signal (NZP-CSI-RS)) or SSBs the UE shall measure beamformed interference from a set of neighboring cells (as needed for computing the DIR). This may be expressed as a list of neighbor cell (e.g. PCIs or CGIs) and their corresponding time-frequency pattern of beamformed reference symbols or SSBs that the UE shall use for DIR related measurements.

Providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network may comprise determining that a condition is met. The condition may comprise at least one of a SINR threshold and a DIR threshold. Alternatively, or in addition, the condition may comprise expiry of a time period.

The RRM measurement object may also include reporting conditions for the UE to report the DIR back to the NW, that is, the first information may include the condition. Examples of such reporting conditions include periodic reporting, or event based. Event based reporting may include reporting if the DIR exceeds a threshold and/or if SINR is lower than a threshold. The value of the thresholds may be part of the DIR measurement object configuration.

The user equipment may comprise an array of antennas which each include RF phase shifters and power amplifiers that lead to a combined analogue signal input to an ADC/DAC with the purpose of controlling the antenna radiation pattern of the array. Each antenna may be referred to as an antenna panel. The user equipment may have a plurality of antenna panels and receive a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) at a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels. The method may comprise performing measurements on the beamformed signals received at the first antenna panel.

In an example embodiment where a user equipment has multiple panels and/or beamforming capabilities, the UE measures the received beamformed interference (used for DIR calculation) on the same panel(s) as it uses for decoding of serving cell PDCCH/PDSCH reception. This may be captured in RAN4 test cases / RRM requirements for DIR which would then be captured in 3GPP TS 38.133.

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at a network entity.

In a first step, T1, the method comprises providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

In a second step, T2, the method comprises receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

The method may comprise providing the first information based on measurements (e.g., RRM measurements or CQI measurements) received from the user equipment.

In an example embodiment, the UE indicates support for Neighbor Beam DIR Factor to a gNB The gNB is configured with triggering criteria for setting up UE to execute measurement and report of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor. The gNB triggering Neighbour Beam DIR factor reporting after the criteria for enabling the report of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor is reached based on measurements received from the UE.

A method may comprise providing from a first network entity to at least one second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment. A method may comprise receiving, from a first network entity at a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and transmitting the at least one beamformed signal to the user equipment.

The information may comprise resource allocation for the at least one beamformed signal (e.g., RS or SSB).

The first network entity may comprise a first gNB and the second network entity may comprise a second gNB. The information may be provided via the Xn interface.

The first network entity may be associated with a first cell and the second network entity may be associated with a neighbour cell.

Alternatively, the first network entity may be a centralised unit of a gNB and the second network entity may be a distributed unit of the gNB. The information may be provided via the F1 interface.

Where the method described with reference to Figure 5 is performed at a distributed unit, may comprise receiving an indication of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information from a centralised unit. The indication may comprise a resource allocation for the at least one beamformed signal.

The method may provide a mechanism for gNBs to coordinate enabling reference signal transmissions that enable UEs to perform beam-based DIR measurements. In one example embodiment (e.g., for distributed architecture), a gNB may negotiate and reach agreement on beam-based reference signal transmissions over the Xn interface. In a second example embodiment, a CU may orchestrate coordinated beam-based reference signaling transmissions from its associated DUs via F1 -based signaling to facilitate UE DIR measurements. This may comprise introducing Xn or F1 procedures, or introduction of new information elements (lEs) on those interfaces as part of existing procedures.

The method may comprise coordinating interference mitigation procedures with a neighbour cell based on the interference information. For example, upon reception of beam-based DIR measurement reports at the NW from a victim UE, the NW may coordinate enable efficient coordinated beam-based scheduling and muting to address the identified interference problem.

Once the beam-based DIR, from a UE with high DIR, is made available at the NW, the gNB may coordinate with its neighboring gNB (corresponding to the Dominant interferer) to agree on beam-based coordination (e.g. to mute certain time-frequency resources). This step may be executed based on known gNB-2-gNB coordination ideas.

Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of neighbor Beam DIR factor interference mitigation according to an example embodiment.

In step 1 of Figure 6 the UE informs the gNB that the UE supports the monitoring and report of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor. In two exemplary (but not limiting) implementations as shown in Figure 7, the gNB decides to trigger the monitoring and reporting of neighbour beam DIR factor when certain triggering criteria from UE measurements, one based on RRM Measurements (described with reference to Figure 8) and another based on CQI Reports (described with reference to Figure 9), and hence configures the corresponding measurements on the UE.

In step 2 of Figure 6 the UE reports the configured UE measurements, the gNB receives and processes those UE measurements to decide whether or not to trigger Neighbor Beam DIR Factor Monitoring. Two exemplary (but not limiting) implementations of such a decision process are presented, one based on RRM Measurements (described with reference to Figure 10) and another one based on CQI Reports (described with reference to Figure 11).

In step 3 of Figure 6, the gNB decides that, under the current interference scenario faced by the UE it will be beneficial for the UE to monitor and report DIR Factor, and hence sets up Neighbor Beam DIR Factor monitoring and reporting on the UE, which may be done via gNB configuration on the UE with RRM measurement object(s) specifically aimed at DIR measurement. Two exemplary (but not limiting) implementations of such setup of monitoring and reporting are shown in Figure 11, one based on a set of reference symbols transmitted a set of on commonly negotiated (between serving cell and interfering cell) time/frequency/space resource allocation opportunities (described with reference to Figure 13), and another one based on SSBs (described with reference to Figure 14). In step 4 of Figure 6, the UE monitors the newly-defined RRM measurement object, and calculates both SI NR and Neighbor Beam DIR Factor for the configured resources as specified by the gNB, and if reporting conditions are fulfilled, e.g., if SINR is low and Neighbor Beam DIR Factor is high at the same time, then the UE reports both to the gNB. Two exemplary (but not limiting) implementations of such monitor and report procedures are presented, one based on reference symbols transmitted in common time/frequency/space resource allocation opportunities (described with reference to Figure 15), and another based on SSBs (described with reference to Figure 16);

In step 5 shown in Figure 6, the gNB triggers an interference mitigation negotiation with the interfering cell, such that the high interference as perceived by the UE is minimized (described with reference to Figure 17).

For the setup and triggering of the usage of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor reporting (steps 1 and 2 in Figure 6), Figure 7 shows a flowchart with two exemplary (but not limiting) implementations, one based on RRM Measurements (steps 1a and 2a) and another based on CQI Reports (steps 1b and 2b).

In one exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the setup of the triggering of usage of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor reporting (step 1 in Figure 6), Figure 8 shows an alternative based on RRM Measurements (sub-step 1a on Figure 7). In sub-step 101, UE A.1 indicates to gNB A that it supports Neighbor Beam DIR Factor Reporting. In sub-step 102, the gNB A configures UE A.1 for performing regular RRM Measurements and report them, and in sub step 103 the gNB A configures itself to monitor UE A.1 performance in search of triggering criteria, such as, e.g. low RSRQ reported on RRM Measurement Reports.

In another exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the setup of the triggering of usage of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor reporting (step 1 in Figure 6), Figure 9 shows an alternative based on CQI Reports (sub-step 1b in Figure 7). In sub-step 104, UE A.1 indicates to gNB A that it supports Neighbor Beam DIR Factor Reporting. In sub-step 105, the gNB A configures UE A.1 for performing regular CQI monitoring and report, and on sub-step 106 the gNB A configures itself to monitor UE A.1 performance in search of triggering criteria, such as, e.g. low SINR measurements for CSI reference symbols.

In one exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the triggering of usage of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor reporting (step 2 in Figure 6), Figure 10 shows an alternative based on RRM Measurements (step 2a in Figure 7). In the sub-step 201, UE A.1 sends regular RRM Measurement Report with serving cell and target cell measurements, while on sub-step 202 the gNB A triggers criteria based on UE A.1 RRM Measurement reports.

In another exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the triggering of usage of Neighbour Beam DIR Factor reporting (step 2 in Figure 6), Figure 11 shows an alternative based on CQI Reports (sub-step 2b in Figure 7). In sub-step 203, UE A.1 sends regular CQI Reports to gNB A, while in sub-step 204 the gNB A triggers criteria based on UE A.1 CQI Reports.

For the setting up and monitoring resources for measuring Neighbour Beam DIR Factor (steps 3 and 4 in Figure 6), Figure 12 shows a flowchart with two exemplary (but not limiting) implementations, one based on monitoring of specific reference symbols onjs_E.picommon time/frequencyls_Epj/space resources (steps 3a and 4a), and another based on the monitoring of SSBs (steps 3b and 4b).

In one exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the setting up of resources for measuring Neighbour Beam DIR Factor (step 3 in Figure 6), Figure 13 shows an alternative where the UE monitors specific reference symbols transmitted on a common time/frequency/space resource allocation opportunity transmitted by both the serving gNB A and the neighbour gNB B (sub-step 3a in Figure 12).

In sub-step 301 , gNB A negotiates with gNB B that UEs at both NWs monitor specific reference symbols transmitted on a common time / frequency / space resource allocation opportunity with DIR Factor. The gNB signals Information Elements (lEs) on the Xn interface that express which time-frequency reference signalling the different cells transmit from its individual beams that UE can use for measuring DIRs. For centralized network architectures (i.e. with CU and DU), the CU may be in charge of deciding (coordinating) which reference signals and/or SSBs the different DUs shall transmit on different beams (for UEs to use for DIR measurements). Hence, such information may be signalled over the F1 information for centralised network architectures.

In sub-step 302 of Figure 13, gNB A configures UE A.1 to monitor and report the DIR Factor for the reference symbol transmitted on the common time / frequency / space resource allocation. The gNB uses RRC signalling to configure the UE with a RRM measurement object dedicated for DIR factor monitoring. The RRM measurement object may include information elements expressing which reference signals (i.e. time-frequency resources) the UE shall use measure the received gNB beamformed interference from a set of neighboring cells (as needed for computing the DIR). in another exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the setting up of resources for measuring Neighbour Beam DIR Factor (step 3 in Figure 6), Figure 14 shows an alternative where currently-existing SSBs on both the serving gNB A and the neighbour gNB B are reused for measurement and report of the Neighbour Beam DIR Factor (sub-step 3b in Figure 12).

In sub-step 303, gNB A negotiates with gNB B that UEs at both NWs monitor SSBs and report them with DIR Factor. gNB signals of SSBs on the Xn interface that expresses which SSBs (over specific time-frequency resources) the different cells transmit from its individual beams that UE can use for measuring DIRs. For centralized network architectures (i.e. with CU and DU), we propose that the CU may be in charge of deciding (coordinating) which reference signals and/or SSBs the different DUs shall transmit on different beams (for UEs to use for DIR measurements). Hence, such information may be signalled over the F1 for centralised network architectures.

In sub-step 304, gNB A configures UE A.1 to monitor and report the DIR Factor for SSBs. For that, the gNB use RRC signalling to configure the UE with a RRM measurement object dedicated for DIR factor monitoring.

The RRM measurement object may include information elements expressing which SSBs (i.e. time-frequency resources) it shall use to measure the received gNB beamformed interference from a set of neighboring cells (as needed for computing the DIR).

In one exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of monitoring and reporting of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor (step 4 in Figure 6), Figure 15 shows an alternative where the UE monitors specific reference symbols transmitted on a common time/frequency/space resource allocation opportunity transmitted by both the serving gNB A and the neighbour gNB B (sub step 4a in Figure 12).

In sub-step 401, once UE A.1 has been configured with the new RRM measurement object dedicated for DIR monitoring of the common time/frequency/space resources, it starts conducting the measurements. That is, UE A.1 monitors reference symbols transmitted by both gNB A and gNB B on the common time/frequency/space resource allocation and then calculates the SI NR. It also measures the received interference from each of the indicated neighboring cell beams for estimating the DIR Factor, and identifies from which neighbor cell beam it receives the highest interference, denoted the dominant interferer cell beam. It then calculates the DIR factor as the dominant interferer divided by the sum of the total received interference from the rest of cell beams. These SI NR and DIR Factor measurements are conducted on the same UE antenna panel(s) as being used by the UE to receive e.g. PDCCH/PDSCH from its currently serving cell.

In sub-step 402, UE A.1 evaluates if the DIR reporting condition is fulfilled, e.g. by detecting if it has both low SINR and high DIR Factor on the reference symbols transmitted over the common time/frequency/space resources by both gNB A and gNB B.

In sub-step 403, if RRM measurement object reporting conditions are fulfilled, UE A.1 reports both low SINR and High DIR for reference symbols transmitted by gNB A and gNB B. This may be in the form of e.g. a RRM measurement report message. The actual DIR reporting message may include the SINR, measured DIR value, as well as the neighboring cell index (e.g. PCI) and beam index of the dominant interferer.

In another exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of monitoring and reporting of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor (step 4 in Figure 6), Figure 16 shows an alternative example for monitoring and reporting of Neighbor Beam DIR Factor over SSBs (sub-step 4b in Figure 12).

In sub-step 404, once UE A.1 has been configured with the new RRM measurement object dedicated for DIR monitoring of the SSBs in both networks, it starts conducting the measurements. That is, UE A.1 monitors SSBs transmitted by gNB A and gNB B and then calculates the SINR. It also measures the received interference from each of the indicated neighboring cell beams for estimating the DIR Factor, and identifies from which neighbor cell beam it receives the highest interference, denoted the dominant interferer cell beam. It then calculates the DIR factor as the dominant interferer divided by the sum of the total received interference from the rest of cell beams. These SINR and DIR Factor measurements shall be conducted on the same UE antenna panel(s) as being used by the UE to receive e.g. PDCCH/PDSCH from its currently serving cell.

In sub-step 405, UE A.1 evaluates if the DIR reporting condition is fulfilled, e.g. by detecting if it has both low SINR and high DIR Factor on the SSBs transmitted by gNB A and gNB B.

In sub-step 406, if RRM measurement object reporting conditions are fulfilled, UE A.1 reports both low SINR and High DIR for SSBs transmitted by both gNB A and gNB B. This could be in the form of e.g. a RRM measurement report message. The example DIR reporting message includes the SINR, the measured DIR value, as well as the neighboring cell index (e.g. PCI) and beam index of the dominant interferer. Figure 17 shows an exemplary (but not limiting) implementation of the interference mitigation negotiation triggered by the detection of high Neighbor Beam DIR Factor while in low SINR conditions (step 4 in Figure 6). In sub-step 501 , gNB A negotiates with gNB B for implementing a time/frequency/space resource allocation collision avoidance procedure. This kind of coordination is limited to protecting users with high DIR and low SINR, and only taking actions on those victim users Dominant interfering cell IDs (labelled as aggressor cell). Actions may include muting of certain transmission resources at the aggressor cell(s). In sub-step 502a, gNB A updates UE A.1 allocations for implementing the collision avoidance decision negotiated with GNB B. In sub-step 502b, gNB B updates UE B.1 allocations for implementing the collision avoidance decision negotiated with GNB A.

The mechanisms as described with reference to the Figures 4 to 17 define UE-based DIR measurements for cases where the gNB is using beamforming, and UE potentially is equipped with multiple antenna panels and beamforming, how to coordinate and configure beamformed reference signal transmissions from the involved gNBs to enable UE-based DIR measurements, definition of UE-based triggering conditions for reporting of DIR metrics and reactive ICIC signalling between NW elements (e.g. via Xn/F1) to act on critical UE DIR measurement reports.

The method may be implemented in a user equipment as described with reference to Figure 2 or a control apparatus as described with reference to figure 3.

An apparatus may comprise means for receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beam formed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment, receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell, performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal, determining the interference information based on the performed measurements and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

Alternatively, or in addition, an apparatus may comprise means for providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network. Alternatively, or in addition, an apparatus may comprise means for providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

Alternatively, or in addition, an apparatus may comprise means for receiving, from a first network entity at a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment and transmitting the at least one beamformed signal to the user equipment.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst embodiments have been described in relation to LTE and 5G NR, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In general, the various example embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus- readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Example embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. An apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for: receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell; performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal; determining the interference information based on the performed measurements; and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising means for determining at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SINR, and dominant interference ratio, DIR, based on the performed measurements.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determined interference information comprises at least one of an indication of the determined SINR, an indication of the determined DIR, an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell and an indication of a dominant interferer beam.

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein means for providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network comprises means for determining that a condition is met.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the condition comprises at least one of a SINR threshold, a DIR threshold and expiry of a time period.

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one beamformed signal comprises a reference symbol or a synchronisation signal block.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first information comprises an indication of an identity of the at least one neighbour cell and an indication of at least one of the reference symbols or synchronisation signal blocks.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the user equipment has a plurality of antenna panels and receives a physical downlink shared channel and a physical downlink control channel at a first antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels and comprising means for performing measurements on the at least one beamformed signal received at the first antenna panel.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising means for providing an indication to the network that the user equipment supports providing interference information.

10. An apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for: providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, comprising means for providing an indication to a neighbour cell of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, means for receiving an indication of the at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information from a centralised unit.

13. An apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, comprising means for coordinating interference mitigation procedures with a neighbour cell based on the interference information.

14. An apparatus comprising means for providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the information comprises resource allocation for the at least one beamformed signal.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the first network entity comprises a centralised unit and the second network entity comprises a distributed unit.

17. A method comprising: receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell; performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal; determining the interference information based on the performed measurements; and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

18. A method comprising: providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

19. A method comprising: providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

20. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; receive the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell; perform measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal; determine the interference information based on the performed measurements; and provide the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

21. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: provide, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; and receive determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

22. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: provide, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.

23. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving at a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; receiving the at least one beamformed signal at the user equipment from at least one neighbour cell; performing measurements on the received at least one beamformed signal; determining the interference information based on the performed measurements; and providing the determined interference information from the user equipment to the network.

24. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: providing, to a user equipment from a first cell of a network, first information indicating at least one beamformed signal for use in determining interference information at the user equipment; and receiving determined interference information from the user equipment at the network.

25. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: providing, from a first network entity to a second network entity, information indicating at least one beamformed signal to be transmitted by the second network entity to a user equipment for use in determining interference information at the user equipment.