Systems and methods for implicit information transfer

1. A method for implicit information transfer, the method comprising:

assigning predetermined bit sequences to individual subframes of a data frame at a first access node;

encoding implicit information into bit sequences;

scheduling an almost blank subframe (ABS) pattern to subframes of the data frame, the ABS pattern corresponding to the encoded implicit information; and

instructing a neighboring access node to decode the encoded implicit information at the neighboring access node using the predetermined bit sequences assigned to the scheduled ABS.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access node is a high-power access node and the neighboring access node is a low-power access node.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the neighboring access node is located within a radio range of the first access node and supports at least one wireless device.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the at least one wireless device operates at a cell-edge of the neighboring access node and suffers from strong radio interference from the neighboring access node on a downlink (DL) control channel.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

monitoring, at the neighboring access node, a level of radio interference associated with at least one wireless device supported by the neighboring access node.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bit sequences are decoded at the neighboring access node when a drop in radio interference at a wireless device supported by the neighboring access node is detected.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the drop in radio interference occurs when the first access node schedules one or more ABS for the neighboring access node.

8. A system for implicit information transfer, the system comprising:

a first processing node configured to:

assign predetermined bit sequences to individual subframes of a data frame;

encode implicit information into bit sequences; and

schedule an almost blank subframe (ABS) pattern to subframes of the data frame, the ABS pattern corresponding to the encoded implicit information; and

a neighboring processing node configured to decode the encoded implicit information using the predetermined bit sequences assigned to the scheduled ABS.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first processing node is a high-power access node and the neighboring processing node is a low-power access node.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the neighboring processing node is located within a radio range of the first processing node and supports at least one wireless device.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one wireless device operates at a cell-edge of the neighboring processing node and suffers from strong radio interference from the neighboring processing node on a downlink (DL) control channel.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the neighboring processing node is further configured to:

monitor a level of radio interference associated with at least one wireless device supported by a second access node.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the bit sequences are decoded by the neighboring processing node when a drop in radio interference at at least one wireless device supported by a second access node is detected.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the drop in radio interference occurs when the first processing node schedules one or more ABS for the second access node.

15. A method for implicit information transfer, the method comprising:

coordinating, at neighboring access nodes, an Almost Blank Subframe (ABS) pattern for ABS transmissions;

assigning implicit transmit symbols to ABS′ of the ABS pattern;

encoding implicit information into bit sequences; and

scheduling traffic for a wireless device on at least one ABS of the ABS pattern, the scheduled ABS being used by the neighboring access nodes to decode the implicit information.