Methods, apparatus, and systems using almost blank subframes patterns are disclosed. Different ABS patterns and triggers are described for enabling a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to obtain ABS patterns. One representative method of scheduling operations by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may include the WTRU receiving information indicating the ABS pattern with a plurality of ABS intervals of an interfering cell; determining timing associated with the ABS intervals of the interfering cell in accordance with the indicated ABS pattern; and scheduling a measurement opportunity, a transmission opportunity or a reception opportunity during the ABS intervals of the interfering cell.