Application layer integration into a multi-rat access and handover environment

A wireless communication device, comprising:

• a receiver that receives load information and a link property of a target communication link;
• and
• one or more processors and/or circuits configured to:
• determine whether the target communication link is in a high-load state by comparing the received load information to a previously-stored link load of the target communication link;
• run an application that communicates on a wireless communication environment;
• calculate a power consumption associated with communicating over the target communication link based on the link property by calculating an application power consumption of the application communicating over the target communication link;
• and
• request authorization to handover to the target communication link based on the power consumption and the determination of whether the target communication link is in the high-load state.

A method for determining whether, in a wireless communication device, to handover from a current communication link to a target communication link, the method comprising:

• running an application that communicates over at least one of the current communication link or the target communication link;
• measuring communication properties of the target communication link;
• determining, from the measured communication properties, a plurality of communication parameters;
• calculating a power consumption associated with communicating over the target communication link based on the plurality of communication parameters by calculating an application power consumption of the application communicating over the target communication link;
• and
• determining whether to complete the handover to the target communication link based on the power consumption,
• wherein the plurality of communication parameters include a link property and load information, and
• wherein the determining of the plurality of communication parameters includes determining whether the target communication link is in a high-load state or a low-load state by comparing a current load of the target communication link to a previously-stored link load.