In-device coexistence interference in a communications network

1. A method, in a terminal device, for In-Device Coexistence, IDC, interference handling, the terminal device being configured to be in a communications network, the method comprising:

proactively detecting an IDC interference between an in-device external wireless system and a cellular system, wherein said proactive detection occurs prior to a start of said IDC interference;

determining whether a frequency separation between the cellular system and the in-device external wireless system is below a threshold;

when the frequency separation between the cellular system and the in-device external wireless system is below the threshold, sending, to a network node, an indication of IDC interference based on the proactively detecting; and

when the frequency separation between the cellular system and the in-device external wireless system is not below the threshold, switching to a reactive mode of detection.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the proactively detecting further comprises determining a time to start said proactive detection.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the determining is based on any one or more of a time threshold, detected radio characteristics with respect to a signal threshold, or a type of application or service that is in use.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the determining is based on any one or more of an activity level of the external wireless system, collected statistics or historical performance data of the terminal device, or a type of application program or service.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the proactively detecting further comprises determining a level of an expected IDC interference.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the determining is based on at least one or more of a type of in-device external wireless system or cellular system to be used, a frequency band of operation of said in-device external wireless system or cellular system, an expected power transmission of said in-device external wireless system, measured or received signal quality metrics related to the cellular system, a transmit signal level or a signal characteristics related to the cellular system, or a target quality of service of an upcoming service or communication.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein switching to the reactive mode of detection occurs when the IDC interference is already present.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sending occurs during a presence of the IDC interference and the sending further comprises delaying the sending until a level of the IDC interference is below a threshold.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sending occurs during a presence of the IDC interference and the sending further comprises turning off or reducing a transmission power level of the in-device external wireless system during the sending.

10. A terminal device, for In-Device Coexistence, IDC, interference handling, the terminal device being configured to be in a communications network, the terminal device comprising:

processing circuitry configured to:

proactively detect an IDC interference between an in-device external wireless system and a cellular system, wherein said proactive detection occurs prior to a start of said IDC interference;

determine whether a frequency separation between the cellular system and the in-device external wireless system is below a threshold;

radio circuitry configured to:

when the frequency separation between the cellular system and the in-device external wireless system is below the threshold, send, to a network node, an indication of IDC interference based on the proactive detection;

the processing circuitry further configured to:

when the frequency separation between the cellular system and the in-device external wireless system is not below the threshold, switch to a reactive mode of detection.

11. The terminal device according to claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the time to start the proactive detection based on any one or more of a time threshold, detected radio characteristics with respect to a signal threshold, or a type of application or service that is in use.

12. The terminal device according to claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine an expected start of the in-device external wireless system.

13. The terminal device according to claim 12 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the expected start of the in-device external wireless system based on any one or more of an activity level of the external wireless system, collected statistics or historical performance data of the terminal device, or a type of application program or service.

14. The terminal device according to claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine a level of an expected IDC interference.

15. The terminal device according to claim 14 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the level of the expected IDC interference based on at least one or more of a type of in-device external wireless system or cellular system to be used, a frequency band of operation of said in-device external wireless system or cellular system, an expected power transmission of said in-device external wireless system, measured or received signal quality metrics related to the cellular system, a transmit signal level or a signal characteristics related to the cellular system, or a target quality of service of an upcoming service or communication.

16. The terminal device according to claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry switches to the reactive mode of detection when the IDC interference is already present.

17. The terminal device according to claim 10 , wherein the radio circuitry is further configured to send the indication during a presence of the IDC interference.

18. The terminal device according to claim 17 , wherein the radio circuitry is further configured to delay the sending of the indication until a level of the IDC interference is below a threshold.

19. The terminal device according to claim 17 , wherein the radio circuitry is further configured to turn off or reduce a transmission power level of the in-device external wireless system during the sending of the indication.

20. A method, in a network node, for In-Device Coexistence, IDC, interference handling, the network node being configured to be in a communications network, the method comprising:

sending, to a terminal device, configuration instructions for a detection of an IDC interference, wherein the configuration instructions further comprise switching instructions for switching to and from a proactive and reactive mode of detection based on a frequency separation between a cellular system and an in-device external wireless system;

receiving, from the terminal device, an indication of an IDC interference between the in-device external wireless system and the cellular system, said indication further comprises

information on whether the proactive or reactive mode of detection was utilized, wherein:

said proactive mode of operation occurs prior to a presence of the IDC interference; and

said reactive mode of operation occurs during a presence of said IDC interference.

21. A network node for In-Device Coexistence, IDC, interference handling, the network node being configured to be in a communications network, the network node comprising:

radio circuitry configured to:

send, to a terminal device, configuration instructions for a detection of an IDC interference, wherein the configuration instructions further comprise switching instructions for switching to and from a proactive and reactive mode of detection based on a frequency separation between a cellular system and an in-device external wireless system;

receive, from the terminal device, an indication of an IDC interference between the in-device external wireless system and the cellular system, said indication further comprises information on whether the proactive or reactive mode of detection was utilized, wherein:

said proactive mode of operation occurs prior to a presence of the IDC interference; and

said reactive mode of operation occurs during a presence of said IDC interference.