Handover Control

A method of a handover control for a network node of a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

• for each of one or more other network nodes of the cellular communication network:
• receiving one or more signals from the other network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of uplink signal strength measurements performed by the other network node in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the other network node;
• basing a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node;
• wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.

A computer program product stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling a network node in a cellular communication network, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on one or more processing circuits of the network node, causes the network node to:

• for each of one or more other network nodes of the cellular communication network:
• receive one or more signals from the other network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of uplink signal strength measurements performed by the other network node in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the other network node;
• base a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node;
• wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.

A method in a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

• performing, by a network node, uplink signal strength measurements in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• transmitting one or more signals from the network node to another network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of the uplink signal strength measurements;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the network node;
• wherein the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power are for handover control by the another network node, with the handover control comprising basing a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node, wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.

A computer program product stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling a network node in a cellular communication network, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on one or more processing circuits of the network node, causes the network node to:

• perform uplink signal strength measurements in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• transmit one or more signals from the network node to another network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of the uplink signal strength measurements;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the network node;
• wherein the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power are for handover control by the another network node, with the handover control comprising basing a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node, wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.

A handover control arrangement for a network node configured to operate as part of a cellular communication network, the arrangement comprising:

• a receiver configured to, for each of one or more other network nodes of the cellular communication network, receive one or more signals from the other network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of uplink signal strength measurements performed by the other network node in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the other network node;
• a handover control circuit configured to base a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node;
• wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.

An arrangement for a network node configured to operate as part of a cellular communication network, the arrangement comprising:

• a measurement circuit configured to perform uplink signal strength measurements in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• a transmitter configured to transmit one or more signals to another network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of the uplink signal strength measurements;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the network node;
• wherein the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power are for handover control by the another network node, the other network node configured to base a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node, wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.

A network node configured to operate as part of a cellular communication network, the network node comprising

• one or more arrangements, each arrangement comprising:
• a measurement circuit configured to perform uplink signal strength measurements in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network;
• a transmitter configured to transmit one or more signals to another network node, wherein the one or more signals are indicative of:
• a result of the uplink signal strength measurements;
• and
• an available downlink transmission power value of the network node;
• wherein the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power are for handover control by the another network node, the other network node configured to base a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node, wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the result of the uplink signal strength measurements and the available downlink transmission power.