Interference management

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus configured to receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and based on the indication of interference, select at least one node of a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

Description

INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENTFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to management of interference in spectrum sharing scenarios.BACKGROUND

[0002] Due to scarcity of spectrum, spectrum sharing between communication networks is considered for enabling use of new bands for wireless communications. In spectrum sharing, the sharing may not only need to be enabled with incumbents of the band, for example fixed service, FS, but also between services such as Wi-Fi and 3rdgeneration partnership project, 3 GPP, networking. These types of approaches are considered for the upper 6 GHz band between 6425 and 7125 MHz. While discussions on the upper 6 GHz band are focused on the sharing or coexistence schemes between 3GPP and Wi-Fi, coexistence with other systems is also a requirement.

[0003] In the United States, the entire 6 GHz band between 5925 and 7125 MHz is enabled for unlicensed use. Fixed service, FS, incumbent users thus face potential interference from e.g. low power indoor, LPI, Wi-Fi devices which may be configured to employ the whole band and are not required to coordinate their frequency usage with incumbent deployments. LPIs are only required to perform contention-based channel access, but this may not always protect e.g. FS receivers from Wi-Fi interference. The LPI contention-based channel access may not detect susceptible FS receivers, as it can only trigger based on received energy or signals, and the FS station may transmit on a different frequency, using frequency division duplexing. FS sharing with unlicensed LPI is currently based on power limits and restriction to indoor. This controls interference only partially, since interference to FS may still occur.SUMMARY

[0004] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject-matter of the independent claims. Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments, examples and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and based on the indication of interference, select at least one node of a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to receive, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and based on the received instruction, instruct a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or perform the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to obtain an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node, provide to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network, receive from theinterference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and determine whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising receiving an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and based on the indication of interference, selecting at least one node of a second communication network and transmitting to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising receiving, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and based on the received instruction, instructing a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or performing the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising obtaining an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node, providing to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network, receiving from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and determining whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and based on the indication of interference, select at least one nodeof a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least receive, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and based on the received instruction, instruct a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or perform the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

[0013] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least obtain an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node, provide to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network, receive from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and determine whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and based on the indication of interference, selecting at least one node of a second communication network and transmitting to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

[0015] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving, from an interference management node, aninstruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and based on the received instruction, instructing a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or performing the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

[0016] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for obtaining an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node, providing to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network, receiving from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and determining whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIGURE 1 illustrates an example system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] FIGURE 2 is an example signalling diagram in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention

[0019] FIGURE 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] FIGURE 4 illustrates signalling in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] FIGURE 5 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] FIGURE 6 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, and

[0023] FIGURE 7 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Disclosed herein are methods for controlling interference in wireless communication networks, in particular, where wireless communication networks operating using different wireless communication technologies interfere. An indication of interference is provided from an interfered, first, communication network and a second, separate, communication network is used to suppress the interference, which may originate in the second or a third communication network. The first, second and third communication networks may be based on three different wireless communication technologies. A node in the second communication network is instructed to perform interference mitigation, either itself or by controlling one or more further node or user equipment to accomplish the interference mitigation. Thus a beneficial technical effect is obtained in that the first communication network may be enabled to communicate with less interference, even if the first communication network has no capability of its own to mitigate the interference originating in the second or the third communication network. For example, the first communication network may be a directional microwave link network, the second communication network may be a cellular communication network and the third communication network may be a wireless local area network, WLAN. A directional microwave link network is a point-to-point microwave link network, also known as a point-to-point fixed service. WLAN is another term for Wi-Fi.

[0025] FIGURE 1 illustrates an example system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. This system includes base station 130 in communication with UEs, such as UE 110. A radio link connects base station 130 with UE 110. The radio link may be bidirectional, comprising an uplink, UL, to convey information from UE 110 toward base station 130, and a downlink, DL, to convey information from the base station 130 toward UE 110. A cellular communication system may comprise hundreds or thousands of base stations, of which only one is illustrated in FIGURE 1 for the sake of clarity of the illustration. The base stations may be distributed in that they comprise a centralized unit, CU, and one or more distributed unit, DU. A base station is an example of a base node.

[0026] Base station 130 is further coupled communicatively with core network node 140, which may comprise, for example, an evolved packet core, EPC, comprising a mobility management entity, MME, a home subscriber server, HSS, etc, or a 5G core networkcomprising an access and mobility management function, AMF, a 5G unified data repository, UDR, a call session management function, SMF, etc. The core network node 140 may be coupled with further core network nodes, and with a network 150, which may comprise the Internet or a corporate network, for example. The system may communicate with further networks via network 150. Examples of the further core network nodes, which are not illustrated in FIGURE 1 for the sake of clarity, include gateways and subscriber information repositories. Core network nodes may be virtualized in the sense that they may run as software modules on computing substrates, such that more than one virtualized network node may run on a same physical computing substrate. The network may be configured to function in accordance with a suitable cellular standard such as long term evolution, LTE, fifth generation, 5G, which is also known as New Radio, NR, or sixth generation, 6G standards as defined by the 3rdgeneration partnership project, 3GPP. To obtain interoperation, UEs attaching to the network are configured to support a same standard as the network.

[0027] Base station 130 controls, in the example of FIGURE 1, beams 130A and 130B, of which UE 110 is in the situation illustrated in FIGURE 1 attached with beam 130A. The number of cells and / or beams may be in excess of what is illustrated in FIGURE 1. It is also possible that a base station has a single cell or beam. While illustrated as sector-shaped, beams of a same base station may be omnidirectional and operate on different frequencies, for example. A mobility event may comprise a switch from one beam to another beam of the same cell, or a switch from one cell to another cell. To support mobility procedures, UEs, including UE 110, are configured to conduct mobility measurements to measure signal strengths of adjacent beams and / or cells, and report results of these measurements to the network, which may then take a decision concerning a mobility event, such as a beam change or a cell switch.

[0028] Base stations, BS, such as base station 130, are configured to transmit various kinds of information to UEs. In addition to payload, such as the content of voice and video calls, application data and transferred user files, base stations transmit various kinds of configuration information to control the functioning of UEs in their cells. This configuration information includes grants to use air interface resources for UL and DL, for example. Cell specific synchronization signals, provided in a synchronization signal block, may comprise primary and secondary synchronization signals, PSS and SSS, which may be defined as goldsequences. The configuration information may also comprise instructions for the UE to conduct measurements of WLAN nodes, transmit signals or attach to WLAN nodes.

[0029] WLAN node 160 is configured to operate according, for example, to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE, standard 802.11. Thus WLAN, or WLAN access points collectively, may be the third communication network. In some embodiments, node 160 may operate according to worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX, technology, for example. WLAN node 160 may emit electromagnetic radiation in the so-called 6 gigahertz, GHz, band which lies between 5925 megahertz, MHz and 7125 MHz, for example. Another example is 7125 MHz to 8400 MHz. In the example of FIGURE 1, spectrum sharing is practiced between WLAN node 160 and a first communication network, wherein node 170 is comprised. Node 170, which uses a same frequency band as WLAN node 160, will be referred to herein as the interfered node as it receives spurious energy from WLAN node 160. For example, the first communication network may be a point-to-point wireless communication network based on directional microwave beams, transmitted and received using directional microwave antennas, one of which is schematically illustrated on interfered node 170. When energy radiated from WLAN node 160 enters into a receive beam of interfered node 170 on a frequency used by interfered node 170 in reception, interference occurs which degrades communication quality experienced by interfered node 170. The radiated energy may wind up in the receive beam directly from WLAN node 160, or via one or more reflection from objects in the surroundings of WLAN node 160. WLAN node 160 is an interfering node.

[0030] Interfered node 170 is configured to indicate interference it experiences in the first communication network, in which it is comprised, and this first network will provide to an interference management node 180 an indication of interference. The indication of interference informs interference management node 180 of a geographic location of interfered node 170. The first communication network does not necessarily know which node emits the interfering energy, where this interfering node is or even which communication technology this interfering node uses. The indication of interference from the first network may comprise information on a shape and / or direction of the receive beam of interfered node 170. Alternatively, the interference management node 180 may already know the shapes of receive beams of nodes of the first communication network. The indication of interference may comprise an indication as to the frequency, or frequencies, at which the interference occurs in interfered node 170. While there is a connection in FIGURE1 between interfered node 170 and interference management node 180, more generally the first communication network provides the indication of interference to interference management node 180.

[0031] Responsive to the indication of interference, interference management node 180 performs a selection and / or prioritization of nodes of the second communication network into an ordered list. This prioritization is performed using location information on nodes of the second network and the receive beam of the interfered node. In detail, nodes of the second communication network which are near the interfered node 170 and within a preconfigured range of the receive beam of the interfered node 170 are given high priority in the prioritization, and nodes further away from interfered node 170 yet still within the preconfigured range of the receive beam are given lower priorities. The preconfigured range may be a preconfigured maximum angular deviation, such as 10 or 20 degrees, from a receive beam of interfered node 170. The maximum angular deviation may be the azimuth angle and / or elevation. In some embodiments, the interference management node selects one or more nodes based on their locations, as discussed above, but without prioritizing them.

[0032] The selected nodes of the second communication network within the preconfigured maximum angular deviation from the receive beam of the interfered node closer to or with lower propagation losses to the interfered node are prioritized higher in the list than nodes further away from the interfered node. The propagation losses may be estimated using a terrain profile and distance, for example.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the selected nodes may be prioritized based on effective radiated power and based on frequency ranges employed by the selected nodes (that is, co-channel, partially co-channel or adjacent channel to interfered node 170). If the interferer is assumed to be a WLAN node the interference management node may further prioritize higher selected nodes which can transmit a Wi-Fi reservation signal in Wi-Fi channels potentially interfering the interfered node 170.

[0034] Interference management node 180 then selects at least the most highly prioritized node of the second communication network and transmits to this selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action. When prioritization was not done, one node from the list is merely selected, such as the first or only one. The instruction may comprise the indication as to the frequency(ies) at which the interference occurs in interfered node 170. The indication of frequency(ies) may comprise an indication of afrequency band, or a list of frequencies or list of Wi-Fi channels, at which interference was detected in the first communication network. The selected node is typically not the node which transmits interference into interfered node 170, but it is likely that the node transmitting the interference, the interfering node, is within an area which the selected node can affect, as will be described herein below. The instruction to perform the interference mitigation action may further comprise an indication of a time, when the interference mitigation action is to be performed. Further, the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action may further comprise an indication of a type of interference mitigation signal to be transmitted, such as continuous, bursty according to a pattern defined in the instruction, of none. Further, the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action may comprise an indication as to whether UE-based reporting of active WLAN channels is requested, and / or whether UE transmission of interference mitigation signals is requested. In general, the interference mitigation action may aim to detect an interfering node to enable interference reduction as a later step, or the interference mitigation action may aim to reduce or eliminate the interfering signal. For example, in case a UE transmits an interference mitigation signal, this signal may in fact itself cause interference in the interfered node, although it may push the original interferer from the interfering frequency. If UE transmission of interference mitigation signals is requested, the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action may define a type and time period for this transmission, such as continuous or bursty, for example.

[0035] The instruction to perform the interference mitigation action may comprise an indication as to whether the selected node is to perform the interference mitigation action itself, or via user equipments controlled by the selected node. In some embodiments, the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action leaves to the selected node to choose a suitable interference mitigation action, and the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action specifies the frequency(ies) and time when the action should be performed. In this case, the selected node may choose whether to perform the interference mitigation action itself, or have a UE perform the interference mitigation action.

[0036] The instruction to perform the interference mitigation action may comprise a period of time for abstaining from transmission on a potentially interfering frequency range. During this abstaining period a cellular selected node would not transmit on carriers which have potential of co-channel or adjacent channel interference to interfered node 170. The interference management node may establish separate abstaining periods to determine ifinterference is from e.g. out-of-band emission of the selected node or a specific carriers or a frequency range used by the selected node. The start instant of the abstaining period could be established based on a capability of the selected node of offloading ongoing traffic which the interference management node may have from registration information of the selected node. The duration of the abstaining could be established by the granularity and time accuracy of measurements that the first communication network can perform.

[0037] In some embodiments, the actions triggered in the case a Wi-Fi node is assumed to be the interferer are limited to interference detection and coarse localization. This instructing may be implemented by either requiring support of hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, Push by interference management node client devices or by requesting the nodes of the second network to perform periodic polling of the interference management node.

[0038] In the example of FIGURE 1, interference management node 180 has a connection with core network node 140, however equally the connection could be to network 150 and thence to the second communication network, which in the example of FIGURE 1 is a cellular network. The selected node is base station 130, to which core network node 140 forwards the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action.

[0039] The selected node acts on the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action in dependence of the content of this instruction. In detail, if the selected node is thereby configured to perform the interference mitigation itself, the selected node may perform one of the following two options during a time period defined in the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action. Firstly, the selected node may transmit an interference mitigation signal on at least one frequency indicated in the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action. Secondly, it may abstain from transmission on the at least one frequency indicated in the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action. Subsequently, the selected node may transmit a report to the interference management node, informing the interference management node of the action taken, and when it was taken. Transmitting the interference mitigation signal may have the effect of driving the interfering node 160 away from the frequency band where it interferes with interfered node 170. Abstaining from using the specified frequency(ies) has the effect of clearing the frequencies from interference in case it was the selected node itself which was the source of interference.

[0040] In case the selected node is configured, by the instruction to perform the interference mitigation action, to perform the interference mitigation via UEs controlled by the selected node, the selected node responsively instructs at least one UE that it controls, such as UE 110 in the example of FIGURE 1, to perform an action at a time specified in the instruction received from interference management node 180. The action may comprise the transmission, from the UE, of an interference mitigation signal as defined by the instruction from interference management node 180, or a measurement to detect WLAN node(s) 160 operating on the frequency(ies) defined by interference management node 180 in its instruction to the selected node. These measurements may comprise even initiating sessions with WLAN nodes when possible, and / or decoding information on channel usage by the WLAN nodes. Alternatively, the measurements may comprise monitoring channel usage, channelization, by at least one WLAN node. Either way, the UE reports on its interference mitigation action to the selected node after it has completed it.

[0041] The selected node may be configured to select the user equipment to instruct based on at least one of user equipment connectivity with WLAN nodes, or user equipments performing low priority data transfers. In detail, the selected node may select a UE which is capable of attaching to WLAN nodes, and / or the selected node may select a UE which is engaged in the low priority data transfers. Most suitably, the selected node may select a UE which is both capable of attaching to WLAN nodes and is currently engaged in the low priority data transfers.

[0042] In some embodiments, the selected node is configured to, upon receiving from a UE a report that a WLAN node was discovered in UE measurements using the frequency(ies) defined in the instruction from the interference management node, transmit an interference mitigation signal on this frequency(ies), or to instruct at least one UE it controls to transmit such a signal.

[0043] The selected node reports on the performed interference mitigation action(s), performed by itself and / or the at least one UE it controls, to interference management node 180. This report comprises an indication of time, when the interference mitigation action(s) was performed. Interference management node 180 may then assess, whether the interference experienced in interfered node 170 was reduced during the time when the interference mitigation action(s) was performed, and if this is the case, then the interfering node was successfully affected by the interference mitigation action(s). Also in case the UEmeasurements indicate that at least one WLAN node 160 was found operating in the frequency(ies) identified in the instruction from interference management node 180, the interfering node may be considered to have been discovered. Either way, operators of the first communication network are made more aware of the interference landscape and enabled to contact owners of WLAN node 160, to modify the spectrum use thereof to also more permanently reduce interference. Additionally or alternatively, interference management node 180 may instruct the selected node to continue to perform, or to repeat, the interference mitigation action which led to reduced interference in interfered node 170. This instruction from interference management node 180 to continue or repeat the interference mitigation action may be issued automatically, without user intervention, for example.

[0044] In some embodiments, a further node is present topologically between interfered node 170 and interference management node 180. This further node may be a service management node, such as a service management and orchestration node, of the first communication network. It may receive information on interference from interfered node 170 and provide it to interference management node 180, and determine whether specific interference mitigation actions were successful based on comparing their timing with timing of changes in interference experienced by interfered node 170. The service management node, when present, may also be the node which decides to automatically continue or repeat the interference mitigation action, by instructing interference management node 180 to instruct the selected node accordingly.

[0045] FIGURE 2 is an example signalling diagram in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. On the vertical axes are, from the left to the right and in terms of FIGURE 1, the WLAN node 160, a UE 110, base station 130, interference management node 180 and interfered node 170. Time advances from the top toward the bottom.

[0046] Initially, phase 210, WLAN node 160 uses the shared spectrum and transmits such that a part of its transmitted energy is received by interfered node 170, resulting in degraded communication performance at interfered node 170. Interfered node 170 informs, phase 215, interference management node 180 of this. As mentioned above, this informing may in practice go via a service management node of the first communication network, in which interfered node 170 is comprised. Interference management node 180 responds to the indication of phase 215 by selecting, phase 220, at least one node of the secondcommunication network, as described herein above, such that the selected node is geographically in or near a receive beam of interfered node 170. Alternatively to being geographically near interfered node 170, the selected node may be selected based on its low pathloss to the receive beam of the interfered node, for example by having a line-of-sight radio path to interfered node 170 from the direction of the receive beam.

[0047] In phase 225 the interference management node 180 provides to the selected node 130 an instruction to perform the interference mitigation action. The interference mitigation action may be defined in the instruction in terms of its frequency and nature. Its nature may comprise whether the selected node 130 is to perform the action itself or via a UE, and whether the action is an interference mitigation signal transmission or a measurement. In response to the instruction of phase 225, selected node 130 performs one or more of phase 230, phase 235 and phase 240 before continuing with phase 265.

[0048] In phase 230, selected node 130 abstains from transmission on the frequency(ies) defined in the instruction from interference management node 180, during a time period spanning at least a part of a time period defined in the instruction from interference management node 180.

[0049] In phase 235, the selected node transmits an interference mitigation signal 235, for example by broadcasting, to push the interfering node off the frequency(ies) defined in the instruction from interference management node 180. The interference mitigation signal may be a WiFi reservation signal, causing WLAN node 160 to avoid using the frequency(ies) in its adaptive spectrum sharing mechanism since the frequency(ies) appear to be occupied. This transmission is during a time period spanning at least a part of the time period defined in the instruction from interference management node 180. The interference mitigation signal may have a character as defined by interference management node 180, such as being a continuous signal or a bursty, non-continuous signal with transmission gaps.

[0050] In phase 240, selected node 130 instructs UE 110 to perform an interference mitigation action, such as a measurement 245 of channel occupancy by nearby WLAN nodes 160, or a transmission of an interference mitigation signal 250, which may be similar to signal 235, if transmitted by selected node 130. Phase 245 may comprise temporarily attaching to WLAN access points to investigate their frequency use, as discussed herein above. Selected node 130 may choose which UE to instruct based on an indication of geographic location it received in the instruction from interference management node 180,such that the UE is in the area from where interfering signals might be transmitted to interfered node 170, as described herein above. Further or alternative criteria for selecting the UE are WLAN capability and current low priority data rate transfer. A low priority transfer may be momentarily interrupted without materially affecting relevant performance. This is relevant when a cell controlled by selected node 130 also comprises a part which is not within this area. In phase 260, UE 110 reports to selected node 130 concerning the interference mitigation action it has performed, including a time, comprised in the time period defined in the instruction from interference management node 180, when the interference mitigation action was performed.

[0051] In phase 265, selected node reports to interference management node 180 concerning an interference mitigation action performed by itself and / or UE 110, including a time when this interference mitigation action was performed. This enables interference management node 180 to determine, phase 270, whether interference experienced in interfered node 170 changed at the time instant(s) when the interference mitigation action was performed. If this is the case, the mitigation was successful and repeating or continuing it may be performed. If the mitigation was not successful, the mitigation is not continued or repeated.

[0052] FIGURE 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention. Illustrated is device 300, which may comprise, for example, interference management node 180, selected node 130 or UE 110 of FIGURE 1, each in applicable parts. Comprised in device 300 is processor 310, which may comprise, for example, a single- or multi-core processor wherein a single-core processor comprises one processing core and a multi-core processor comprises more than one processing core. Processor 310 may comprise, in general, a control device. Processor 310 may comprise more than one processor. When processor 310 comprises more than one processor, device 300 may be a distributed device wherein processing of tasks takes place in more than one physical unit. Processor 310 may be a control device. A processing core may comprise, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core manufactured by ARM Holdings or a Zen processing core designed by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. A processing core or processor may be, or may comprise, at least one qubit. Processor 310 may comprise at least one Qualcomm Snapdragon and / or Intel Atom processor. Processor 310 may comprise at least one application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC. Processor 310 may comprise at least one field-programmable gate array, FPGA. Processor 310, optionally together with memory andcomputer instructions, may be means for performing method steps in device 300, such as receiving, selecting, indicating, performing, transmitting, requesting, abstaining or instructing. Processor 310 may be configured, at least in part by computer instructions, to perform actions.

[0053] A processor may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analogue and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analogue and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or network node, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0054] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0055] Device 300 may comprise memory 320. Memory 320 may comprise randomaccess memory and / or permanent memory. Memory 320 may comprise at least one RAM chip. Memory 320 may be a computer readable medium. Memory 320 may comprise solid-state, magnetic, optical and / or holographic memory, for example. Memory 320 may be at least in part accessible to processor 310. Memory 320 may be at least in part comprised in processor 310. Memory 320 may be means for storing information. Memory 320 may comprise computer instructions that processor 310 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform certain actions are stored inmemory 320, and device 300 overall is configured to run under the direction of processor 310 using computer instructions from memory 320, processor 310 and / or its at least one processing core may be considered to be configured to perform said certain actions. Memory 320 may be at least in part external to device 300 but accessible to device 300. Memory 320 may be transitory or non-transitory. The term “non-transitory”, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (that is, tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (for example, RAM vs. ROM).

[0056] Device 300 may comprise a transmitter 330. Device 300 may comprise a receiver 340. Transmitter 330 and receiver 340 may be configured to transmit and receive, respectively, information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. Transmitter 330 may comprise more than one transmitter. Receiver 340 may comprise more than one receiver. Transmitter 330 and / or receiver 340 may be configured to operate in accordance with global system for mobile communication, GSM, wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, 5G, long term evolution, LTE, IS-95, wireless local area network, WLAN, Ethernet and / or worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX, standards, for example.

[0057] Device 300 may comprise a near-field communication, NFC, transceiver 350. NFC transceiver 350 may support at least one NFC technology, such as NFC, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE, Wibree or similar technologies.

[0058] Device 300 may comprise user interface, UI, 360. UI 360 may comprise at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a vibrator arranged to signal to a user by causing device 300 to vibrate, a speaker or a microphone. A user may be able to operate device 300 via UI 360, for example to accept incoming telephone calls, to originate telephone calls or video calls, to browse the Internet, to manage digital files stored in memory 320 or on a cloud accessible via transmitter 330 and receiver 340, or via NFC transceiver 350, and / or to play games.

[0059] Device 300 may comprise or be arranged to accept a user identity module 370. User identity module 370 may comprise, for example, a subscriber identity module, SIM, card installable in device 300. A user identity module 370 may comprise information identifying a subscription of a user of device 300. A user identity module 370 may comprise cryptographic information usable to verify the identity of a user of device 300 and / or tofacilitate encryption of communicated information and billing of the user of device 300 for communication effected via device 300.

[0060] Processor 310 may be furnished with a transmitter arranged to output information from processor 310, via electrical leads internal to device 300, to other devices comprised in device 300. Such a transmitter may comprise a serial bus transmitter arranged to, for example, output information via at least one electrical lead to memory 320 for storage therein. Alternatively to a serial bus, the transmitter may comprise a parallel bus transmitter. Likewise processor 310 may comprise a receiver arranged to receive information in processor 310, via electrical leads internal to device 300, from other devices comprised in device 300. Such a receiver may comprise a serial bus receiver arranged to, for example, receive information via at least one electrical lead from receiver 340 for processing in processor 310. Alternatively to a serial bus, the receiver may comprise a parallel bus receiver.

[0061] Device 300 may comprise further devices not illustrated in FIGURE 3. For example, where device 300 comprises a smartphone, it may comprise at least one digital camera. Some devices 300 may comprise a back-facing camera and a front-facing camera, wherein the back-facing camera may be intended for digital photography and the frontfacing camera for video telephony. Device 300 may comprise a fingerprint sensor arranged to authenticate, at least in part, a user of device 300. In some embodiments, device 300 lacks at least one device described above. For example, some devices 300 may lack a NFC transceiver 350 and / or user identity module 370.

[0062] Processor 310, memory 320, transmitter 330, receiver 340, NFC transceiver 350, UI 360 and / or user identity module 370 may be interconnected by electrical leads internal to device 300 in a multitude of different ways. For example, each of the aforementioned devices may be separately connected to a master bus internal to device 300, to allow for the devices to exchange information. However, as the skilled person will appreciate, this is only one example and depending on the embodiment various ways of interconnecting at least two of the aforementioned devices may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0063] FIGURE 4 illustrates signalling in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The vertical axes correspond to those in FIGURE 2, with theaddition of service node SMO of the first communication network. Time advances from the top toward the bottom.

[0064] Phase 410 corresponds to phase 210 of FIGURE 2. In phase 415, the interfered node indicates to the SMO that it is interfered, and in phase 417 the SMO informs interference management node 180 of this. In some embodiments, the SMO will first attempt interference mitigation directly with cellular systems and contact interference management node 180 only if interference mitigation directly with the cellular systems fails to address the interference. The indication of phase 417 may comprise an indication of potential radioaccess technology, RAT, of the interference-generating node, if this is known to the SMO. Phases 420 - 465 correspond to phases 220 - 265, respectively.

[0065] In phase 470, interference management node 180 reports to SMO concerning the performed detection and / or interference mitigation action(s), including the time(s) when this was performed. This may include informing the SMO of signalling set identities, SSIDs, of WLAN nodes detected in the interference mitigation action. If detection of interferers was requested the report may include the SSIDs detected, their approximate location and channels employed. The channel usage may include primary channels, which are most frequently used, and secondary channels which are less frequently used.

[0066] In phase 475 the SMO determines periods of time when interference was successfully mitigated, and associates this with at least one interference mitigation action performed in the second network. Based on this, SMO instructs the second network, via interference management node 180, to perform again, or to continue performing, the successful interference mitigation action(s) identified in phase 475 if the interference mitigation was successful. If the mitigation was not successful, the mitigation is not continued or repeated. The instructing is accomplished in phases 480 and 485, and the selected node implements the interference mitigation - either by itself or via one or more UE - in phase 490. The SMO may provide interference management node 180 with periods of time within the interference mitigation action time period where the interference levels at interfered node 170 varied significantly.

[0067] FIGURE 5 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The phases of the illustrated method may be performed in interference management node 180, or in a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0068] Phase 510 comprises receiving an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network. Phase 520 comprises, based on the indication of interference, selecting at least one node of a second communication network and transmitting to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

[0069] FIGURE 6 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The phases of the illustrated method may be performed in the selected node, or in a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0070] Phase 610 comprises receiving, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network. Phase 620 comprises, based on the received instruction, instructing a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or performing the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

[0071] FIGURE 7 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The phases of the illustrated method may be performed in the first network SMO, or in a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0072] Phase 710 comprises obtaining an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node. Phase 720 comprises providing to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network. Phase 730 comprises receiving from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed. Finally, phase 740 comprises determining whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

[0073] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are notlimited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0074] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0075] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0076] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the preceding description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0077] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principlesand concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0078] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

[0079] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0080] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in wireless communication.ACRONYMS LIST3 GPP 3rdGeneration Partnership ProjectIEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics EngineersWLAN wireless local area networkTECHNICAL CLAUSES:Clause 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and- based on the indication of interference, select at least one node of a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of:the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.Clause 2. The apparatus according to Clause 1, further configured to receive from the second communication network a report concerning an interference mitigation action performed based on the at least one instruction, the report comprising an indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.Clause 3. The apparatus according to Clause 2, further configured to indicate to the first communication network at least the indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.Clause 4. The apparatus according to any of Clauses 1 - 3, configured to perform the selecting of the at least one node based at least in part on geographical location, such that a node of the second communication network is selected which is within a preconfigured maximum angular deviation from a receive beam of the interfered node.Clause 5. The apparatus according to Clause 4, further configured to perform the selecting such that nodes of the second communication network are selected into a prioritized list, such that the nodes of the second communication network within the preconfigured maximum angular deviation from the receive beam of the interfered node closer to or with lower propagation losses to the interfered node are prioritized higher in the list than nodes further away from the interfered node.Clause 6. The apparatus according to any of Clauses 1 - 5, wherein each one of the at least one instruction to perform the interference mitigation action comprises an instruction to perform one of the following:- transmit a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in a frequency or frequency range defined in the instruction,- request a user equipment of the second communication system to transmit the WLAN signal in the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction, - request a user equipment of the second communication system to perform measurements to determine a WLAN access point and its operating frequency, and to report an identifier of the WLAN access point and the operating frequency;- request a user equipment of the second communication system to perform measurements to determine a WLAN access point, to establish communication with the determined WLAN access point, to determine an operating frequency for data transfers of the determined WLAN access point, and to report an identifier of the determined WLAN access point and the determined operating frequency, and - abstain from transmitting on the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction.Clause 7. The apparatus according to Clause 6, wherein the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction is comprised in a frequency band of between 5925 megahertz, MHz, and 7125 MHz or 7125 MHz to 8400 MHz.Clause 8. The apparatus according to any of Clauses 1 - 7, wherein the second communication network is a cellular communication network.Clause 9. The apparatus according to any of Clauses 1 - 8, wherein the first communication network is a point-to-point microwave link network.Clause 10. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- receive, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and - based on the received instruction, instruct a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or perform the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.Clause 11. The apparatus according to Clause 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the interference mitigation action, and the interference mitigation action comprises abstaining from transmitting on a frequency or a frequency range defined in the instruction, or transmitting a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction.Clause 12. The apparatus according to Clause 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to instruct the user equipment to perform the interference mitigation action, and theinterference mitigation action comprises the user equipment transmitting a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in a frequency or frequency range defined in the instruction, or the user equipment performing measurements to determine a WLAN access point and its operating frequency and to report an identifier of the WLAN access point and its operating frequency.Clause 13. The apparatus according to any of Clauses 10 - 12, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit to the interference management node a report concerning an interference mitigation action performed based on the instruction, the report comprising an indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.Clause 14. The apparatus according to any of Clauses 10 - 13, configured to select the user equipment to instruct based on at least one of: user equipment connectivity with wireless local area network, WLAN, nodes, or user equipments performing low priority data transfers.Clause 15. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- obtain an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node;- provide to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network; - receive from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and- determine whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.Clause 16. The apparatus according to Clause 15, further configured to, based on the determination as to whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed, send to the interference management node a second indication of interference concerning the first communication network.Clause 17. A method, comprising:- receiving an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and- based on the indication of interference, selecting at least one node of a second communication network and transmitting to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.Clause 18. The method according to Clause 17, further comprising receiving from the second communication network a report concerning an interference mitigation action performed based on the at least one instruction, the report comprising an indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.Clause 19. The method according to Clause 18, further comprising indicating to the first communication network at least the indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.Clause 20. The method according to any of Clauses 17 - 19, comprising performing the selecting of the at least one node based at least in part on geographical location, such that a node of the second communication network is selected which is within a preconfigured maximum angular deviation from a receive beam of the interfered node.Clause 21. The method according to Clause 20, further comprising performing the selecting such that nodes of the second communication network are selected into a prioritized list, such that the nodes of the second communication network within the preconfigured maximum angular deviation from the receive beam of the interfered node closer to or with lower propagation losses to the interfered node are prioritized higher in the list than nodes further away from the interfered node.Clause 22. The method according to any of Clauses 17 - 21, wherein each one of the at least one instruction to perform the interference mitigation action comprises an instruction to perform one of the following:- transmit a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in a frequency or frequency range defined in the instruction,- request a user equipment of the second communication system to transmit the WLAN signal in the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction, - request a user equipment of the second communication system to perform measurements to determine a WLAN access point and its operating frequency, and to report an identifier of the WLAN access point and the operating frequency; - request a user equipment of the second communication system to perform measurements to determine a WLAN access point, to establish communication with the determined WLAN access point, to determine an operating frequency for data transfers of the determined WLAN access point, and to report an identifier of the determined WLAN access point and the determined operating frequency, and - abstain from transmitting on the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction.Clause 23. The method according to Clause 22, wherein the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction is comprised in a frequency band of between 5925 megahertz, MHz, and 7125 MHz or 7125 MHz to 8400 MHz.Clause 24. The method according to any of Clauses 17 - 23, wherein the second communication network is a cellular communication network.Clause 25. The method according to any of Clauses 17-24, wherein the first communication network is a point-to-point microwave link network.Clause 26. A method, comprising:- receiving, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and - based on the received instruction, instructing a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or performing the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.Clause 27. The method according to Clause 26, wherein the method comprises performing the interference mitigation action, and the interference mitigation action comprises abstaining from transmitting on a frequency or a frequency range defined in the instruction, or transmitting a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction.Clause 28. The method according to Clause 26, comprising instructing the user equipment to perform the interference mitigation action, and the interference mitigation action comprises the user equipment transmitting a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in a frequency or frequency range defined in the instruction, or the user equipment performing measurements to determine a WLAN access point and its operating frequency and to report an identifier of the WLAN access point and its operating frequency.Clause 29. The method according to any of Clauses 26 - 28, wherein the method comprises transmitting to the interference management node a report concerning an interference mitigation action performed based on the instruction, the report comprising an indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.Clause 30. The method according to any of Clauses 26 - 29, comprising selecting the user equipment to instruct based on at least one of: user equipment connectivity with wireless local area network, WLAN, nodes, or user equipments performing low priority data transfers.Clause 31. A method, comprising:- obtaining an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node;- providing to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network; - receiving from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and- determining whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.Clause 32. The method according to Clause 31, further comprising, based on the determination as to whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interferencemitigation was performed, sending to the interference management node a second indication of interference concerning the first communication network.Clause 33. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:- receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and- based on the indication of interference, select at least one node of a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.Clause 34. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:- receive, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and - based on the received instruction, instruct a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or perform the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.Clause 35. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:- obtain an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node;- provide to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network;- receive from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and- determine whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and- based on the indication of interference, select at least one node of a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further configured to receive from the second communication network a report concerning an interference mitigation action performed based on the at least one instruction, the report comprising an indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further configured to indicate to the first communication network at least the indication when the interference mitigation action was performed.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 - 3, configured to perform the selecting of the at least one node based at least in part on geographical location, such that a node of the second communication network is selected which is within a preconfigured maximum angular deviation from a receive beam of the interfered node.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further configured to perform the selecting such that nodes of the second communication network are selected into a prioritized list, such that the nodes of the second communication network within the preconfigured maximum angular deviation from the receive beam of the interfered node closer to or with lower propagation losses to the interfered node are prioritized higher in the list than nodes further away from the interfered node.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 - 5, wherein each one of the at least one instruction to perform the interference mitigation action comprises an instruction to perform one of the following:- transmit a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in a frequency or frequency range defined in the instruction,- request a user equipment of the second communication system to transmit the WLAN signal in the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction, - request a user equipment of the second communication system to perform measurements to determine a WLAN access point and its operating frequency, and to report an identifier of the WLAN access point and the operating frequency; - request a user equipment of the second communication system to perform measurements to determine a WLAN access point, to establish communication with the determined WLAN access point, to determine an operating frequency for data transfers of the determined WLAN access point, and to report an identifier of the determined WLAN access point and the determined operating frequency, and - abstain from transmitting on the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction.

7. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- receive, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and - based on the received instruction, instruct a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or perform the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the interference mitigation action, and the interference mitigation action comprises abstaining from transmitting on a frequency or a frequency range defined in the instruction, ortransmitting a wireless local area network, WLAN, signal in the frequency or the frequency range defined in the instruction.

9. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- obtain an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node;- provide to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network; - receive from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and- determine whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

10. A method, comprising:- receiving an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and- based on the indication of interference, selecting at least one node of a second communication network and transmitting to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

11. A method, comprising:- receiving, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and - based on the received instruction, instructing a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or performing the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

12. A method, comprising:- obtaining an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node;- providing to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network; - receiving from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and- determining whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:- receive an indication of interference concerning a first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of an interfered node of the first communication network, and- based on the indication of interference, select at least one node of a second communication network and transmit to each of the at least one selected node an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: the second or a third communication network during a time period specified in the instruction.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:- receive, from an interference management node, an instruction to perform an interference mitigation action concerning at least one of: a communication network in which the apparatus is comprised, or a further communication network, and - based on the received instruction, instruct a user equipment of the communication network in which the apparatus is comprised to perform the interference mitigation action, or perform the interference mitigation action by the apparatus.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:- obtain an indication that a node of a first communication network is an interfered node;- provide to an interference management node an indication of interference concerning the first communication network, the indication comprising information on a geographic location of the interfered node of the first communication network; - receive from the interference management node an indication of when an interference mitigation was performed, and- determine whether the interfered node was less interfered when the interference mitigation was performed.

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