Patent ID: 8897790
Filing Date: 2014-11-25
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: utilizing a handover procedure for handing a terminal device over from a source cell to a target cell; receiving handover-related data from the terminal device at a source relay node; determining, by the source relay node, the need for a handover of the terminal device from the source relay node to a target node on the basis of the received handover-related data; receiving, by the source relay node an enquiry from a source central node controlling the source relay node about the collaborating capabilities of the source relay node regarding the handover so that the source central node can determine whether the source relay node is capable of assisting in the handover; transmitting, by the source relay node to the source central node a capability information message about the collaborating capabilities of the source relay node regarding the handover; receiving, by the source relay node from the source central node a capability information confirm message confirming that the source central node has knowledge about the collaborating capabilities of the source relay node regarding the handover; and initiating the handover procedure at the source relay node by transmitting a handover request to the source central node controlling the source relay node and releasing resources allocated to the terminal device, if it has been determined by the source relay node that there is a need for the handover of the terminal device, so that the terminal device is handed over from the source cell to the target cell and terminal device-related user data transmission is suspended to the source relay node.