An active reception period (active time) of a power saving pattern (DRX) is masked to a measurement period (ABS) of a serving or neighbor cell interference mitigation pattern (eICIC) such that the masked active reception period repeatedly coincides with the measurement period. Then the masked active reception period is utilized for communicating resource allocations (PDCCHs) between a serving cell (eNB) and a user equipment (UE). In various embodiments: the masking is done without shortening a sleep opportunity (DRX opportunity) of the power saving pattern; the masking is implemented by delaying an on-duration start time of the active reception period; the on-duration start time is controlled by a timer which runs only during measurement periods of the interference mitigation pattern, or by applying a second offset generated by the UE in addition to applying a first offset configured by the serving cell; and the masking is by adopting a default power saving pattern.