Embodiments are provided for configuring channel measurements and reporting by a user equipment (UE). The embodiments avoid unnecessary cell measurements and resulting reporting transmissions by the UE in network scenarios with restricted downlink transmissions from serving cells. A method by a network component includes sending, to the UE, a data transmission pattern for transmissions on downlinks from multiple cells serving the UE. The data transmission pattern indicates a plurality of subframes including one or more restricted subframes where transmissions from one of the cells are restricted. The method further includes sending, to the UE, a measurement pattern allocating measurements and reports for a cell from the UE to the cells at corresponding designated subframes of the subframes in the data transmission pattern. The UE transmits measurement reports to an assisting serving cell during the one or more restricted subframes.