Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for load balancing data traffic between at least two carriers in a communications network supporting the at least two carriers. A method is performed by a system. The method comprises obtaining current channel quality information for a wireless device of the at least two carriers. The method comprises predicting a future volume of a data flow of the wireless device. The method comprises determining whether to offload the wireless device to a second carrier of the at least two carriers or not according to the current channel quality information and the predicted future volume.

Abstract: A method in a user equipment for predicting an available throughput for uplink data to be sent from the user equipment to a base station over a radio link. The user equipment obtains (201) an information about a past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment obtains (202) a radio quality measure related to the radio link. The user equipment predicts (204) the available throughput based on a relationship between the information about a past scheduling of the user equipment and one or more previously obtained pieces of information about the past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a relationship between the radio quality measure and of one or more previously obtained radio quality measures. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a previously obtained throughput.

Abstract: A method in a user equipment for predicting an available throughput for uplink data to be sent from the user equipment to a base station over a radio link. The user equipment obtains (201) an information about a past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment obtains (202) a radio quality measure related to the radio link. The user equipment predicts (204) the available throughput based on a relationship between the information about a past scheduling of the user equipment and one or more previously obtained pieces of information about the past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a relationship between the radio quality measure and of one or more previously obtained radio quality measures. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a previously obtained throughput.

Abstract: A method in a user equipment for predicting an available throughput for uplink data to be sent from the user equipment to a base station over a radio link. The user equipment obtains (201) an information about a past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment obtains (202) a radio quality measure related to the radio link. The user equipment predicts (204) the available throughput based on a relationship between the information about a past scheduling of the user equipment and one or more previously obtained pieces of information about the past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a relationship between the radio quality measure and of one or more previously obtained radio quality measures. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a previously obtained throughput.

Abstract: A buffer status metric representing a current amount of video packets in a video playback buffer (303) of a user device (300). A buffer status action is triggered based on the buffer status action and at least one of a mobility metric representing a mobility pattern of the user device (300) and a radio quality metric representing a signal strength of a radio channel carrying video packets towards the user device (300). The embodiments also relate to determination of a buffer control model (142) that can be used in order to control the video playback buffer based on the input metrics. The embodiments achieve a more efficient control of video playback buffers (303) and may reduce the risk of freezes during video playback.

Abstract: There are provided mechanisms for traffic steering between a first radio access network node and a second radio access network node. A method is performed by a system. The method includes obtaining, for each of the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node, a respective predicted traffic throughput for a wireless device. The wireless device is in dual connectivity with the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node. The method includes determining splitting of transmission of a flow of data destined for the wireless device between the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node according to the obtained predicted traffic throughputs. The method includes initiating traffic steering of the flow of data between the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node according to the splitting.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a buffer estimation module for estimating if a base station has data buffered for a mobile communication device is provided. The apparatus further comprises a scheduling estimation module for determining how frequently the mobile communication device has been scheduled to receive data from the base station, a radio quality module for determining a radio quality indication of a communication channel between the mobile communication device and the base station, and a throughput estimation module for predicting downlink throughput from the base station to the mobile communication device based on at least output from the buffer estimation module, the frequency estimation module and the radio quality module.

Abstract: A Network Node, a Radio Access node and methods therein for handling and supporting Hand Over, HO, in a wireless communication network are disclosed. The method in a Radio Access node comprises receiving, from a Network Node, a VoIP session notification identifying a traffic flow associated with VoIP related to a UE. The method further comprises receiving, from the Network Node, a VoIP state report for the identified traffic flow, said VoIP state report comprising a determined VoIP state, and a prediction related to a time to a VoIP state change. Further, the method comprises, when the UE is a candidate for HO: deciding whether to delay or to trigger the HO based on the VoIP state and the prediction.

Abstract: Methods for managing a media stream from a media server are disclosed. The communication device transmits, to the media server, a request for the first set of media rates and the at least one segment time period. The communication device receives a response indicating the first set of media rates and the at least one segment time period. Moreover, the communication device transmits, to the base station, a request for a second set of media rates, wherein the request comprises information about the first set, a parameter relating to length of the at least one segment time period, and an indication relating to a time period during which the second set of media rates is below a media stream rate for reception at the communication device. Furthermore, the communication device receives a response indicating the second set, and selects a media rate out of the second set.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and nodes for scheduling resource blocks in a wireless communications network. The invention further relates to computer programs performing the methods according to the invention, and computer program products comprising computer readable medium having the computer programs embodied therein. In a first aspect of the invention, a method of a Radio Resource Management (RRM) node (11) in a first cell (12) is provided for facilitating scheduling of resource blocks for at least one mobile terminal (UE4, UE5, UE6) in a neighboring second cell (15) of a wireless communications network (10). The method comprises predicting allocation of one or more resource blocks in a subsequent scheduling time interval to at least one mobile terminal (UE1, UE2, UE3) in the first cell, and sending information pertaining to the predicted allocation to an RRM node (14) of the neighboring second cell.

Abstract: A method in a user equipment for predicting an available throughput for uplink data to be sent from the user equipment to a base station over a radio link. The user equipment obtains (201) an information about a past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment obtains (202) a radio quality measure related to the radio link. The user equipment predicts (204) the available throughput based on a relationship between the information about a past scheduling of the user equipment and one or more previously obtained pieces of information about the past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a relationship between the radio quality measure and of one or more previously obtained radio quality measures. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a previously obtained throughput.

Abstract: A method and a first radio network node (110) for managing input parameters to a set of models for prediction of a quality of service of a user equipment (120) are disclosed. The first radio network node (110) operates the set of models for prediction of the quality of service. The quality of service relates to when the user equipment (120) is served by a second radio network node (130) after a handover from the first radio network node (110) to the second radio network node (130). The first radio network node (110) configures (205) the second radio network node (130) to report the input parameters at least once before the handover. The input parameters are usable by the first radio network node (110) when predicting, by use of the set of models, the quality of service. A corresponding computer program and a carrier therefor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of performing cell selection for a set of mobile terminals among at least two neighboring cells including a first and a second radio access node, respectively, includes acquiring a value of at least one property reflecting a network condition for each one of the mobile terminals, determining with which one of the first and second radio access nodes each of the mobile terminals initially should be associated based on the value of the acquired property for each mobile terminal, and generating a plurality of variations to the determined initial association based on a corresponding selected parameter. The method includes performing cell selection for at least a subset of the generated plurality of variations to the initial association, and determining a value of a metric for each of the performed cell selections and associating each metric value with said acquired property.

Abstract: A method in a network node for computing a Cell Range Expansion (CRE) value. The network node obtains a first value of a measure of the performance of the wireless communications network. The network node creates a first relationship relating the first value of the parameter to the first CRE value and the first measure of the performance of the wireless communications network, based on the first value of the parameter and the first value of the measure of the performance. The network node creates a second relationship relating the second value of the parameter to a second CRE value and a second value of the measure of the performance of the wireless communications network, based on the first relationship and on the second value of the parameter. The network node computes the second CRE value based on a second value of the parameter, and the second relationship.

Abstract: A device for transmitting in multiple coupling modes has a transmission module (11), at least one periphery module (18), and an antenna (16, 17) for each of the multiple coupling modes. Further, in a method of switching between multiple coupling modes, switching is conducted between at least polling and listening phases of first and second coupling modes. The device and the method enable a seamless switching between e.g. a near field communication and a body coupled communication. Such a coupling or switching is particularly useful for performing secure transactions whereby through body coupled communication a body-worn tag is interrogated which provides a secure code for a transaction initiated through near field communication with a transaction terminal.

Abstract: Access control node (200), access device (202A), tethering device (204), and methods therein, for enabling wireless access to a communications network (208). One or more access devices (202) having a wireless connection to the network (208) provide (2:1) relay properties to an access control node (200). When detecting (2:2) that network access is wanted for the tethering device (204), the access control node (200) selects (2:3) an access device (202A) based on the obtained relay properties, to be used for sharing wireless connection with the tethering device (204). The access control node (200) then instructs (2:4) the selected access device (202A) to be available as a relay to the communications network (208) for the tethering device (204) via a wireless link between the access device (202A) and the tethering device (204). The tethering device (204) can then access (2:8) the communications network over the wireless link.

Abstract: A method and a first radio network node (110) for managing input parameters to a set of models for prediction of a quality of service of a user equipment (120) are disclosed. The first radio network node (110) operates the set of models for prediction of the quality of service. The quality of service relates to when the user equipment (120) is served by a second radio network node (130) after a handover from the first radio network node (110) to the second radio network node (130). The first radio network node (110) configures (205) the second radio network node (130) to report the input parameters at least once before the handover. The input parameters are usable by the first radio network node (110) when predicting, by use of the set of models, the quality of service. A corresponding computer program and a carrier therefor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method in a user equipment for predicting an available throughput for uplink data to be sent from the user equipment to a base station over a radio link. The user equipment obtains (201) an information about a past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment obtains (202) a radio quality measure related to the radio link. The user equipment predicts (204) the available throughput based on a relationship between the information about a past scheduling of the user equipment and one or more previously obtained pieces of information about the past scheduling of the user equipment. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a relationship between the radio quality measure and of one or more previously obtained radio quality measures. The user equipment predicts the available throughput further based on a previously obtained throughput.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and nodes for scheduling resource blocks in a wireless communications network. The invention further relates to computer programs performing the methods according to the invention, and computer program products comprising computer readable medium having the computer programs embodied therein. In a first aspect of the invention, a method of a Radio Resource Management (RRM) node (11) in a first cell (12) is provided for facilitating scheduling of resource blocks for at least one mobile terminal (UE4, UE5, UE6) in a neighbouring second cell (15) of a wireless communications network (10).

Abstract: A device for transmitting in multiple coupling modes has a transmission module (11), at least one periphery module (18), and an antenna (16, 17) for each of the multiple coupling modes. Further, in a method of switching between multiple coupling modes, switching is conducted between at least polling and listening phases of first and second coupling modes. The device and the method enable a seamless switching between e.g. a near field communication and a body coupled communication. Such a coupling or switching is particularly useful for performing secure transactions whereby through body coupled communication a body-worn tag is interrogated which provides a secure code for a transaction initiated through near field communication with a transaction terminal.