Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uplink power control in a communication system with a low power cell neighboring a macro cell. The low power cell includes a low power node serving a user equipment (UE). The macro cell includes a base station serving one or more other UE(s). The low power node is configured to determine a power offset between the macro cell and the low power cell. The received power spectral density target for the UE calculation is based on the minimum of a first signal strength target for the UE and estimated noise and interference power(s), or a second signal strength target for the UE and the calculated power offset. The uplink power control for the UE is adjusted based on the calculated received power spectral density target. The first signal strength target may be based on the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio target for the UE and the second signal strength target may be based on a signal strength derived from a signal-to-noise ratio target for the UE.

Abstract: The application relates to the selection of cells to form a cell coordination group for which interference management techniques such as COMP are to be applied. The cells to be selected to improve the performance of a UE in terms of throughput or delay are not necessarily the ones which are geographically the closest because in city environments shadowing effects of buildings exist. Thus, choosing the closest cells for coordinated interference management will not be a good solution in many cases. Hence, there is a need to develop another method and mechanism for more accurately generating a cell coordination group for interference management activities. This problem is solved by the application in that either the downlink interference toward the UE from the neighboring cells is estimated or the neighbor cells listen for the UE and then predict the downlink interference. Furthermore, the algorithm starts with an initial list of cells comprising the most likely handover candidates.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method (20) for maintaining uplink time alignment performed in a network node (12) of a communication system (10) comprising a first reception point (35) and a second reception point (36). The network node (12) is configured to control the first reception point (35) and configured to serve a communication device (14). The method (20) comprises determining (21) transmit power of the communication device (14) based on signaling from the communication device (14) received in the second reception point (36), while meeting a criterion enabling performing of an uplink time alignment measurement towards the first reception point (35). The disclosure also relates to corresponding network node, computer program and computer program product.

Abstract: A method, computer program and a network efficiency node in a wireless communications network for enabling increased data throughput to a UE, the method comprising: retrieving information of UE configuration data, receiving an indicator of a first channel capability from the UE, determining a first data transport unit size based on the received indicator of the first channel capability, selecting a second channel capability different than the received indicated first channel capability and limited based on the information of the UE configuration data, determining a second data transport unit size based on the selected second channel capability, and transmitting scheduling information to the UE to use the second data transport unit size, thereby enabling increased data throughput.

Abstract: The application relates to the selection of cells to form a cell coordination group for which interference management techniques such as COMP are to be applied. The cells to be selected to improve the performance of a UE in terms of throughput or delay are not necessarily the ones which are geographically the closest because in city environments shadowing effects of buildings exist. Thus, choosing the closest cells for coordinated interference management will not be a good solution in many cases. Hence, there is a need to develop another method and mechanism for more accurately generating a cell coordination group for interference management activities. This problem is solved by the application in that either the downlink interference toward the UE from the neighboring cells is estimated or the neighbor cells listen for the UE and then predict the downlink interference. Furthermore, the algorithm starts with an initial list of cells comprising the most likely handover candidates.

Abstract: A Network Node and a method therein for controlling uplink power control are provided. The method comprises collecting (210) measurement reports from UEs. The method comprises creating (220) clusters of low power RBS(s) and macro RBS(s), wherein each cluster comprises one low power RBS and at least one macro RBS; and identifying (230) the macro RBS with the lowest pathloss for those UEs connected to the low power RBS and the level of the pathloss. The method comprises determining (240) an interference level in the low power RBS caused by UEs connected to the macro RBS for those UEs connected to the macro RBS. Further, the method comprises selecting (250) uplink power control setting for the low power RBS based on the size of the pathloss associated with the identified macro RBS and the interference level in the low power RBS caused by UEs being connected to the macro RBS.

Abstract: Methods and network nodes (110, 112), serving a user equipment (120), for deciding if a handover request of the user equipment (120) is to be sent to a candidate target network node (130-1, 130-2, 130-3). The methods comprise acquire (603) data-rate performance of a wireless link between the network nodes (110, 112) and the user equipment (120). The data-rate performance is compared (606) with a data-rate performance threshold value. If the acquired data-rate performance is lower than the data-rate performance threshold value, it is decided (607) to send the handover request of the user equipment (120) to the candidate target network node (130-1, 130-2, 130-3).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uplink power control in a communication system with a low power cell neighbouring a macro cell. The low power cell includes a low power node serving a user equipment (UE). The macro cell includes a base station serving one or more other UE(s). The low power node is configured to determine a power offset between the macro cell and the low power cell. The received power spectral density target for the UE calculation is based on the minimum of a first signal strength target for the UE and estimated noise and interference power(s), or a second signal strength target for the UE and the calculated power offset. The uplink power control for the UE is adjusted based on the calculated received power spectral density target. The first signal strength target may be based on the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio target for the UE and the second signal strength target may be based on a signal strength derived from a signal-to-noise ratio target for the UE.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method (20) for maintaining uplink time alignment performed in a network node (12) of a communication system (10) comprising a first reception point (35) and a second reception point (36). The network node (12) is configured to control the first reception point (35) and configured to serve a communication device (14). The method (20) comprises determining (21) transmit power of the communication device (14) based on signaling from the communication device (14) received in the second reception point (36), while meeting a criterion enabling performing of an uplink time alignment measurement towards the first reception point (35). The disclosure also relates to corresponding network node, computer program and computer program product.

Abstract: Determining a time synchronization inaccuracy value between a first node and a second node. A PTP packet is received including Node IDs representing respective transport nodes along a first path, and from the second node Node IDs are obtained representing respective transport nodes along a second path. Furthermore, a first common node of the first path and the second path is determined. The time synchronization inaccuracy value between the first node and the second node is calculated. By including Node IDs in received PTP packets before forwarding them to a node, the node is enabled to determine a first common node. Thereby, the node may calculate relative time inaccuracy values with respect to the other access network nodes, which may be used to decrease inaccuracy time synchronization for co-ordination functions.

Abstract: A method, computer program and a network efficiency node in a wireless communications network for enabling increased data throughput to a UE, the method comprising: retrieving information of UE configuration data, receiving an indicator of a first channel capability from the UE, determining a first data transport unit size based on the received indicator of the first channel capability, selecting a second channel capability different than the received indicated first channel capability and limited based on the information of the UE configuration data, determining a second data transport unit size based on the selected second channel capability, and transmitting scheduling information to the UE to use the second data transport unit size, thereby enabling increased data throughput.

Abstract: Determining a time synchronisation inaccuracy value between a first node and a second node. A PTP packet is received including Node IDs representing respective transport nodes along a first path, and from the second node Node IDs are obtained representing respective transport nodes along a second path. Furthermore, a first common node of the first path and the second path is determined. The time synchronisation inaccuracy value between the first node and the second node is calculated. By including Node IDs in received PTP packets before forwarding them to a node, the node is enabled to determine a first common node. Thereby, the node may calculate relative time inaccuracy values with respect to the other access network nodes, which may be used to decrease inaccuracy time synchronisation for co-ordination functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network node and a method in method in a network node of a wireless communications system that allow for power efficient scheduling of transmission of application data over a radio interface. According to the method, information is received (71, 72) about a power consumption profile of a transmit unit and about estimated required average output transmission power of the transmit unit for transmitting an amount of application data in a time interval. The method also includes a step of making (73) a scheduling decision, comprising a type of load distribution to be used in the time interval for transmitting the amount of application data, based on the received information. In another step (74) the scheduling decision is provided to the transmit unit as a scheduling order for transmission of the application data over the radio interface.

Abstract: A Network Node and a method therein for controlling uplink power control are provided. The method comprises collecting (210) measurement reports from UEs. The method comprises creating (220) clusters of low power RBS(s) and macro RBS(s), wherein each cluster comprises one low power RBS and at least one macro RBS; and identifying (230) the macro RBS with the lowest pathloss for those UEs connected to the low power RBS and the level of the pathloss. The method comprises determining (240) an interference level in the low power RBS caused by UEs connected to the macro RBS for those UEs connected to the macro RBS. Further, the method comprises selecting (250) uplink power control setting for the low power RBS based on the size of the pathloss associated with the identified macro RBS and the interference level in the low power RBS caused by UEs being connected to the macro RBS.

Abstract: A low power RBS and a method therein for scheduling downlink transmission to a UE are provided. The low power RBS is associated to at least one macro RBS and the low power RBS is configured to provide radio coverage in a cell of a heterogeneous cellular communication network for scheduling downlink transmissions to a UE connected to the low power RBS. The method comprises receiving (210) a measurement report comprising a channel quality measurement from the UE and adjusting (220) a current SINR value based on the received measurement report for a period of an Almost Bland Subframe, ABS, of the macro RBS. The method further comprises determining (230) downlink transmission parameters based on the adjusted SINR value, and scheduling (240) a downlink transmission to the UE in a subframe of the low power RBS coinciding with an ABS of the macro RBS using the determined downlink transmission parameters.

Abstract: The technology in this application reduces the maintenance effort and expense to monitor the performance of a cellular radio access node (e.g., a relay or repeater) by having the cellular radio access node automatically perform radio performance monitoring on itself and providing some kind of indication of its status to an operations and maintenance node. The cellular radio access node monitors performance of a set of one or more radio characteristics of a received radio signal received by the cellular radio access node or a transmitted radio signal transmitted by the cellular radio access node and determines whether the performance exceeds an associated predetermined threshold. The cellular radio access node indicates a condition of the cellular radio access node for the operations and maintenance node based on the monitored performance. The cellular radio access node may take independent action, e.g., shutdown, restart, reduce transmit power, etc., if a monitored condition is exceeded, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and network nodes (110, 112), serving a user equipment (120), for deciding if a handover request of the user equipment (120) is to be sent to a candidate target network node (130-1, 130-2, 130-3). The methods comprise acquire (603) data-rate performance of a wireless link between the network nodes (110, 112) and the user equipment (120). The data-rate performance is compared (606) with a data-rate performance threshold value. If the acquired data-rate performance is lower than the data-rate performance threshold value, it is decided (607) to send the handover request of the user equipment (120) to the candidate target network node (130-1, 130-2, 130-3).

Abstract: In a method and system handover commands to a mobile station supporting simultaneous reception on two different channels is transmitted both on the regular channel and on an additional channel. By supporting decoding of both handover commands in the mobile station the likelihood of a successful handover is greatly increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network node and a method in method in a network node of a wireless communications system that allow for power efficient scheduling of transmission of application data over a radio interface. According to the method, information is received (71, 72) about a power consumption profile of a transmit unit and about estimated required average output transmission power of the transmit unit for transmitting an amount of application data in a time interval. The method also includes a step of making (73) a scheduling decision, comprising a type of load distribution to be used in the time interval for transmitting the amount of application data, based on the received information. In another step (74) the scheduling decision is provided to the transmit unit as a scheduling order for transmission of the application data over the radio interface.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for controlling output power and reducing interference in a radio communications network wherein data transmitted over a radio interface is coded and transmitted in radio blocks. The data passes a buffer of a node before transmission. The method is characterized by a step of determining a recommended Modulation and Coding Scheme level, MCS level, based on at least one radio quality measurement. A further characterizing step is analyzing of buffer characteristics and/or radio block usage of transmission radio blocks to determine if there is a preferred MCS level compared to the recommended MCS level. The preferred MCS level is typically a more robust MCS level. The recommended MCS, level if so determined, is decreased to the preferred MCS level, and in relation to decreasing the MCS level decreasing the output power according to a predefined down regulation scheme. The interference level is reduced in the network depending on an application type.