Inter-Frequency and Inter-RAT Small Cell Detection in Heterogeneous Networks

A method in a base station for adapting neighbor cell measurements performed by mobile terminals served by a serving cell supported by the base station, the method comprising:

• monitoring a cell load for the serving cell;
• determining a first signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering neighbor cell measurements by at least a first mobile terminal, or a second signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering reporting of neighbor cell measurements by the first mobile terminal, or both, wherein said determining is based on the monitored cell load;
• and
• transmitting the determined first signal threshold or the determined second signal threshold, or both, to the first mobile terminal.

A base station configured to adapt handover measurements performed by mobile terminals served by a serving cell supported by the base station, the base station comprising:

• a monitoring circuit adapted to monitor a cell load for the serving cell;
• a determining circuit adapted to determine a first signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering neighbor cell measurements by at least a first mobile terminal, or a second signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering reporting of neighbor cell measurements by the first mobile terminal, or both, wherein said determining is based on the cell load;
• and
• a transmitting circuit adapted to transmit the determined first signal threshold or the determined second signal threshold, or both, to the first mobile terminal.

A base station configured to adapt handover measurements performed by mobile terminals served by a serving cell supported by the base station, the base station comprising:

• a transceiver circuit;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to monitor a cell load for the serving cell, determine a first signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering neighbor cell measurements by at least a first mobile terminal, or a second signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering reporting of neighbor cell measurements by the first mobile terminal, or both, wherein said determining is based on the cell load;
• wherein said processing circuit is further configured to transmit the determined first signal threshold or the determined second signal threshold, or both, to the first mobile terminal, using the transceiver circuit.