Methods, apparatuses, related computer program product and data structure for deciding on a signaling scheme for handover

#An example of the present invention relates to deciding on a signaling scheme for handover. More specifically, the example of the present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, a related computer program product and a data structure for deciding on a signaling scheme for handover. The example of the present invention may be applicable e.g. to intra-long term evolution (LTE) and inter-evolved node B (eNB) handover in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP).

#In LTE Release 8 (Rel-8), e.g. for reducing the size or configuration of handover command message (e.g. radio resource controller (RRC) connection reconfiguration message), 3GPP decided to use the so-called delta signaling. This means that in case a target eNB does not include e.g. a parameter in the handover command, a user equipment (UE) may assume that the parameter or function will continue after the handover.

#However, in the current universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) (e.g. so-called 3G system), e.g. the so-called inter-radio network controller (RNC) handover does not use this kind of scheme, but in case of a UE involving e.g. radio network system (RNS) relocation (e.g. hard handover), a target RNC may constructs a handover command message based on the radio access bearer (RAB) information. This means that the target RNC may explicitly include parameters to be used after the handover.

#The examples of the present invention are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows methods for deciding on a signaling scheme for handover according to an example of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 shows apparatuses for deciding on a signaling scheme for handover according to the example of the present invention; and

#The example of the present invention is described herein below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#It is to be noted that for this description, the terms “protocol release; at least one bit; radio resource control connection reconfiguration message; radio resource control protocol; full signaling; and delta signaling” are examples for “protocol version; information element; the message to be sent to UE to command the handover; first and second protocols; signaling scheme using handover command messages of full configuration (e.g. parameters); and signaling scheme using handover command messages of reduced configuration”, respectively, without restricting the latter-named terms to the special technical or implementation details imposed to the first-named terms.

#FIG. 1 shows the methods for deciding on a signaling scheme for handover according to the example of the present invention. Signaling between elements may be indicated in horizontal direction, while time aspects between signaling may be reflected in the vertical arrangement of the signaling sequence as well as in the sequence numbers. It is to be noted that the time aspects indicated in FIG. 1 do not necessarily restrict any one of the method steps shown to the step sequence outlined. This applies in particular to method steps that are functionally disjunctive with each other. Within FIG. 1, for ease of description, means or portions which may provide main functionalities are depicted with solid functional blocks or arrows and/or a normal font, while means or portions which may provide optional functions are depicted with dashed functional blocks or arrows and/or an italic font.