TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to methods and network nodes in a wireless

communication network, e.g. telecommunication network, for providing mobility information associated with a wireless device to a target radio network node being a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device, and for managing mobility of the wireless device based on the mobility information. BACKGROUND

Communication devices such as wireless devices may also be known as e.g. user equipments (UEs), mobile terminals, wireless terminals and/or mobile stations. A wireless device is enabled to communicate wirelessly in a cellular communication network, wireless communication system, or radio communication system, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system, cellular network or cellular communication system. The communication may be performed e.g. between two wireless devices, between a wireless device and a regular telephone and/or between a wireless device and a server via a Radio Access Network (RAN) and possibly one or more core networks, comprised within the cellular communication network. The wireless device may further be referred to as a mobile telephone, cellular telephone, laptop, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), tablet computer, just to mention some further examples. The wireless device may be, for example, portable, pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile device, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the RAN, with another entity, such as another wireless device or a server.

The cellular communication network covers a geographical area which is divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area is served by at least one base station, or Base Station (BS), e.g. a Radio Base Station (RBS), which sometimes may be referred to as e.g. "eNB", "eNodeB", "NodeB", "B node", or BTS (Base Transceiver Station), depending on the technology and terminology used. The base stations may be of different classes such as e.g. macro eNodeB, home eNodeB or pico base station, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell is the geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the base station at a base station site. Cells may overlap so that several cells cover the same geographical area. By the base station serving a cell is meant that the base station provides radio coverage such that one or more wireless devices located in the geographical area where the radio coverage is provided may be served by the base station. When a wireless device is said to be served in or by a cell this implies that the wireless device is served by the base station providing radio coverage for the cell. One base station may serve one or several cells. Further, each base station may support one or several communication technologies. The base stations communicate over the air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the base stations.

In some RANs, several base stations may be connected, e.g. by landlines or microwave, to a radio network controller, e.g. a Radio Network Controller (RNC) in Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), and/or to each other. The radio network controller, also sometimes termed a Base Station Controller (BSC) e.g. in GSM, may supervise and coordinate various activities of the plural base stations connected thereto. GSM is an abbreviation for Global System for Mobile Communication (originally: Groupe Special Mobile).

In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs or eNBs, may be directly connected to other base stations and may be directly connected to one or more core networks.

UMTS is a third generation mobile communication system, which may be referred to as 3rd generation or 3G, and which evolved from the GSM, and provides improved mobile communication services based on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) access technology. UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) is essentially a radio access network using wideband code division multiple access for wireless devices. High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) is an amalgamation of two mobile telephony protocols, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), defined by 3GPP, that extends and improves the performance of existing 3rd generation mobile telecommunication networks utilizing the WCDMA. Such networks may be named WCDMA/HSPA.

The 3GPP has undertaken to evolve further the UTRAN and GSM based radio access network technologies, for example into evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) used in LTE.

The expression downlink (DL) is used for the transmission path from the base station to the wireless device. The expression uplink (UL) is used for the transmission path in the opposite direction i.e. from the wireless device to the base station.

Handover refers to the action of handing over a wireless device being served in a serving cell to another, target cell to instead being served in there, e.g. in order to enable seamless service provision during mobility, i.e. when the wireless device moves. In addition to the wireless device, the handover involves one or more radio network nodes, e.g. a serving base station and a target base station, and/or controlling nodes thereof. In external handover, i.e. handover between cells served by different base stations, there are at least two radio network nodes involved. For example, handover of the wireless device typically involve a serving base station serving the serving cell, and a target base station serving the target cell.

In case of LTE, the serving base station may be named serving eNB and the target base station may be named target eNB. Before a wireless device, which is named UE in LTE and in the following, is accessing the target eNB at an external eNB handover, information about the UE, its services and a present Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection are sent to the target eNB to make it possible for the target eNB to pre- allocate appropriate resources for a new radio link to the UE. This information is sent transparently through any intermediate nodes, i.e. the information about the UE is the same but may be sent comprised in different context, e.g. messages. A Mobility

Management Entity (MME) is an example of such intermediate node in LTE.

Communication is via the so called S1 interface in LTE.

Figure 1 shows an example of a signalling flow regarding handover in LTE. The signalling takes part between a serving eNB and a target eNB via a MME, i.e. over the so called S1 interface. More detailed information may be found in e.g. 3GPP TS 36.413 "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); S1 Application Protocol (S1AP)", version 12.3.0, see in particular chapter 8.4.1 "Handover Preparation", chapter 8.4.2 "Handover Resource Allocation", chapter 9.1.5.1 "HANDOVER REQUIRED", and chapter 9.1.5.4 "HANDOVER REQUEST". The serving eNB sends, see Msg1) in the figure, handover information in a message named HANDOVER REQUIRED to the MME which sends, see Msg2), forward the handover information to the target eNB in a message named HANDOVER REQUEST. The target enB processes the handover information that e.g. comprises information about the UE, such as UE radio capabilities, and information about the radio connection. This makes it possible for the target eNB to pre-allocate appropriate resources for the new radio link. Information about the pre- allocated resources that are relevant for the UE are then sent to the UE via the MME and serving eNB, see Msg3) and Msg4). The information is sent to the MME in a message named HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE and from the MME to the serving eNB in a message named HANDOVER COMMAND.

In LTE, signalling may alternatively take part directly between eNBs over the so called X2 interface. In this case more detailed information regarding handover may be found in e.g. 3GPP TS 36.423 "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E- UTRAN); X2 Application Protocol (X2AP)", version 12.3.0, see in particular chapter 8.2.1 "Handover Preparation", and chapter 9.1.1.1 "HANDOVER REQUEST".

The basic principles of handover are the same also in case of handover within other RATs and in case of inter-RAT handover, i.e. handover between RATs.

In case of GSM and circuit switched (CS) handover, such as used for speech, detailed information may be found in e.g. 3GPP TS 48.008 "Mobile Switching Centre - Base Station system (MSC-BSS) interface; Layer 3 specification", version 12.0.0, see in particular chapter 3.1.5 "External Handover", chapter 3.1.5a "Handover from GSM to another System", chapter 3.1.5b "Handover from another system to GSM", chapter 3.1.5c "BSS Internal Handover with MSC support", chapter 3.2.1.8 "HANDOVER REQUEST", and chapter 3.2.1.9 "HANDOVER REQUIRED".

In case of GSM and packet switched (PS) handover, such as used for data, detailed information may be found in e.g 3GPP TS 48.018 "General Packet Radio Service

(GPRS); Base Station System (BSS) - Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN); BSS GPRS protocol (BSSGP)", version 12.3.0, see in particular chapter 8a.4 "PS Handover Required procedure", chapter 8a.5 "PS Handover Request procedure", chapter 10.4.27 "PS- HANDOVER-REQUIRED", and chapter 10.4.30 "PS-HANDOVER-REQUEST".

In case of UMTS and WCDMA, detailed information regarding handover may be found in e.g. 3GPP TS 25.413 "UTRAN lu interface Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) signaling", version 12.2.0, see in particular chapter 8.6 "Relocation

Preparation", chapter 8.7 "Relocation Resource Allocation", chapter 9.1.9 "RELOCATION REQUIRED", and chapter 9.1.10 "RELOCATION REQUEST".

It is realized that there is little acceptance for non or poorly working handover functionality in wireless communication networks since users have very little acceptance for lost or disturbed ongoing services, e.g. lost or disturbed ongoing voice calls or data traffic. It is also realized that handover functionality must be able to deal with a lot of different situations and is affected by various circumstances. SUMMARY

An object is to provide improvements a wireless communication network with regard to handover.

According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a serving radio network node, for providing mobility information associated with a wireless device to a target radio network node. The target radio network node is a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device. The serving radio network node is comprised in a first wireless communication network. The target radio network node is also comprised in said first wireless communication network or in another, second wireless communication network. The serving radio network node obtains speed information about how fast the wireless device moves. The serving radio network node then sends, to the target radio network node, the mobility information comprising a speed indicator. The speed indicator is based on the obtained speed information and indicates speed of the wireless device.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions that when executed by a processing circuit causes the serving radio network node to perform the method according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a data carrier comprising the computer program according to the third aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a target radio network node, for managing mobility of a wireless device being served by a serving radio network node. The target radio network node being a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device. The serving radio network node is comprised in a first wireless communication network. The target radio network node is comprised in said first wireless communication network or another, second wireless communication network. The target radio network node receives, from the serving radio network node, mobility information associated with the wireless device. The mobility information comprises a speed indicator indicating speed of the wireless device. The target radio network node then manages mobility of the wireless device based on the received speed indicator.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions that when executed by a processing circuit causes the target radio network node to perform the method according to the fourth aspect. According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a data carrier comprising the computer program according to the fifth aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a serving radio network node for providing mobility information associated with a wireless device to a target radio network node. The target radio network node is a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device. The serving radio network node is configured to be comprised in a first wireless communication network. The target radio network node is also configured to be comprised in said first wireless communication network and/or in another, second wireless communication network. The serving radio network node is further configured to obtain speed information about how fast the wireless device moves. The serving radio network node is also configured to send, to the target radio network node, the mobility information comprising a speed indicator. The speed indicator being based on the obtained speed information and indicates speed of the wireless device.

According to an eight aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a target radio network node for managing mobility of a wireless device being served by a serving radio network node. The target radio network node being a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device. The serving radio network node is configured to be comprised in a first wireless communication network. The target radio network node is also configured to be comprised in said first wireless communication network and/or in another, second wireless communication network. The target radio network node is further configured to receive, from the serving radio network node, mobility information associated with the wireless device. The mobility information comprises a speed indicator indicating speed of the wireless device. The target radio network node is also configured to manage mobility of the wireless device based on the received speed indicator. Embodiments herein enable the target radio network node to e.g. get information about the speed of the wireless device and e.g. be informed if the wireless device is a "high speed" wireless device, already at the first time when resources are to be allocated in the target radio network node. It is thereby possible to allocate better, or even the right, resources, apply service specific functions and set better, or even the right, radio network parameters directly, or at least much faster, than else would be possible. This reduces problems that else may occur at e.g. handover, in particular for wireless devices that move at such high speed that conventional methods for handover may cause problems or be not be as efficient as would be desirable.

Further, embodiments herein enable use of specific parameter settings based on the speed of the wireless device already at the beginning of setting up a new radio link, which increase the performance of service(s) provided to the wireless device, enables reduction of drop rates during handover and enable improved KPIs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which are briefly described in the following.

Figure 1 is a combined signaling diagram and flowchart showing messages for handover in LTE.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically depicting an example of a wireless communication network in which embodiments herein may be implemented.

Figure 3 is a combined signaling diagram and flowchart for describing embodiments herein.

Figure 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating embodiments of a method performed in a serving radio network node.

Figure 5 is a functional block diagram for illustrating embodiments of the serving radio network node.

Figure 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating embodiments of a method performed in a target radio network node.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram for illustrating embodiments of the target radio network node.

Figures 8a-c are schematic drawings illustrating embodiments relating to computer program products and computer programs to cause the serving radio network node and the target radio network node to perform method actions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a development towards embodiment herein, the problem indicated in the Background will first be further discussed.

One circumstance that has been identified as causing handover problems is when the wireless device subject to handover is moving with high speed. There is no wireless communication network that can handle too high speeds, i.e. there will always be an upper speed limit that cannot be handled and speeds that are not supported. There will also be a range from when a wireless device start to move and up to some lower limit within which range conventional handover functionality is designed to handle moving wireless devices and do this well, i.e. without any problematic degradation of performance and any worsened user experience. There will thus be a region of relatively high speeds between said lower limit and some said upper limit where handover increasingly will become more and more problematic and/or difficult to handle. One reason behind problems of the wireless devices moving fast is that it takes too long for a target network node, e.g. target eNB, to get information about the current speed status of the wireless device. The longer it takes for the target radio network node to know about the speed status of the wireless device, the longer it takes to be able to apply specific handling, e.g. specific function(s) and/or parameter setting(s), suitable for high speed wireless devices. This leads performance problems, for example caused by that a wireless device initially may start measurements on wrong frequencies and may get wrong parameters e.g.

regarding Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle length and handover thresholds. The performance problems may relate to higher drop rates than else would be the case and/or failures that negatively affects Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

It would thus be helpful and enable improved handover at higher speeds if this information was available e.g. directly when and even before a new radio link is set up between the target radio network node and the wireless device. In existing wireless communication networks, no information about the speed of the wireless device is sent to the target radio network node.

Embodiments herein relate to provision of such information, i.e. ways of providing information about speed status of a wireless device to a target radio network node so that the target network node is enabled to utilize this information and thereby e.g. earlier during handover, or during any other mobility management, be able to apply specific handling, in particular for wireless devices that move at such high speed that they benefit from this.

Figure 2 depicts an example of a first wireless communication network 100. The first wireless communication network 100 comprises a serving cell 115. The serving cell 1 15, or at least radio coverage thereof, is provided by a serving radio network node 110 comprised in the wireless communication network 100, or more particularly in a Radio Access Network (RAN) part thereof. The first wireless communication network 100 may also comprise a target cell 116. Alternatively the target cell 116 may be comprised in a second wireless communication network 101 , e.g. telecommunication networks , in which embodiments herein may be implemented. The second wireless communication network 101 may differ in that it is operated by another operator than the first wireless communication network 100 and/or is a wireless communication network according to another Radio Access Technology (RAT) than the first wireless communication network 100. For example, the first wireless communication network 100 and/or the second wireless communication network 101 may be LTE or LTE based network, but may be e.g. be any any cellular network or system, such as a, or based on a, UMTS, WCDMA, WCDMA/HSPA, LTE or GSM network, or any 3GPP cellular network. The target cell 116, or at least radio coverage thereof, may be provided by a first target radio network node 111 comprised in the first wireless communication network 100 or the second wireless communication network 101 , or more particularly in RAN parts thereof.

The serving radio network node 1 10 serves a wireless device 120 in the serving cell 1 15. As should be recognized, the wireless device 120 is a device capable to wirelessly communicate in the wireless communication network 100, and possibly also the second wireless communication network 101 , over one or more radio links, via network nodes of the first wireless communication network 100 and/or the second wireless communication network, and with e.g. other communication devices in the same and/or other communication networks. The wireless device 120 may e.g. correspond to a user equipment, a mobile station, a mobile terminal or a wireless terminal, a mobile phone, a computer such as e.g. a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or a tablet computer, sometimes referred to as a surf plate, with wireless capability, a so called Machine to Machine (M2M) device or Machine Type of Communication (MTC) device, i.e. devices that are not associated with a conventional user, or any other radio network unit capable to wirelessly communicate over a radio link in the wireless communication network 100.

The serving radio network node 110 may, as illustrated in the figure, be a base station, e.g. an eNB in LTE, or any other radio network node capable of serving a wireless device, such as the wireless device 120, in the wireless communication network 100. The target radio node 1 11 may, as illustrated in the figure, be a base station, e.g. an eNB in LTE, or any other radio network node capable of serving a wireless device, such as the wireless device 120, in the first wireless communication network 100 or the second wireless communication network 101. Note that in general, different cells may be provided by one and the same logical and/or physical radio network node. However, in the context of embodiments herein, at least the serving radio network node 1 10 may be considered a physically different radio network node than the target radio network node 11 1.

The wireless device 120 is shown with a large arrow pointing to the right illustrating that the wireless device 120 is associated with a speed and moving to the right in the figure, towards the target cell 116. The figure is for illustrating a situation where there may be a handover of the wireless device 120 from the serving radio network node 110 to the target radio network node 1 11.

If the first wireless communication network 100 and/or second wireless

communication network 101 are based on LTE, the serving radio network node 110 and/or target radio network mode 1 11 comprised therein are eNBs.

If the first wireless communication network 100 and/or second wireless

communication network 101 are based on UMTS, the serving radio network node 1 10 and/or target radio network mode 1 11 comprised therein may be RNCs.

In case of the first wireless communication network 100 and/or second wireless communication network 101 are based on GSM, the serving radio network node 1 10 and/or target radio network mode 1 11 comprised therein are typically BSCs.

The serving radio network node 110 and the target radio network node 1 11 are communicatively connected to each directly or via one or more intermediate network nodes 130. The one or more intermediate network nodes 130 may be comprised in the first wireless communication network 100 and/or the second wireless communication network 101 , typically in core network parts thereof, although also RAN parts may be involved.

The one or more intermediate nodes 130 may comprise one or more nodes for controlling and/or managing the serving radio network node 110 and/or the target radio network node 11 1.

If the first wireless communication network 100 and/or second wireless

communication network 101 are based on LTE, the one or more intermediate network nodes 130 may be or comprise a MME.

If the first wireless communication network 100 and/or second wireless

communication network 101 are based on UMTS or GSM, the one or more intermediate network nodes first network node 130 may comprise MSCs and/or SGSNs.

Note that how the cells in Figure 2 have been drawn in relation to each other is just an example. For example, the target cell 1 16 may be fully comprised in the serving cell 1 15 or vice versa, or the cells may overlap more or less and differently than shown in the figure.

Attention is also drawn to that Figure 2 is only schematic and for exemplifying purpose and that not everything shown in the figure may be required for all embodiments herein, as will be evident to the skilled person. Also, a wireless communication network that in reality corresponds to the wireless communication network 100 typically comprises several further network nodes, base stations, cells etc., as realized by the skilled person, but which are not shown herein for the sake of simplifying. Figure 3 depicts a combined signaling diagram and flowchart and will be used to discuss examples of embodiments herein relating to a method for providing mobility information associated with the wireless device 120 from the serving radio network node 1 10 to the target radio network node 11 1. The target network node 11 1 being a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device 120. As used herein, by mobility information is meant information for use by a target radio network node 1 11 for handling mobility of the wireless device 120, such as for handling handover. The method is performed in the first wireless communication network 100 and possibly also the second wireless communication network 101 if the target network node 1 11 is comprised therein.

The method comprises the following actions, which actions may be taken in any suitable order and/or be carried out fully or partly overlapping in time when this is possible and suitable.

Action 301

The serving radio network node 1 10 obtains speed information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves.

As used herein, by speed of the wireless device 120 is herein meant how fast the wireless device 120 physically moves.

The speed information may be obtained from, at least partly, by being received from the wireless device 120. For example, in LTE it is supported that UEs, such as the wireless device 120, report its speed to the wireless communication network 100 in the form of its mobility state at the time of establishing a RRC connection, e.g. to an eNB corresponding to the serving radio network node 110. The mobility state indicates

"Normal-mobility", "Medium-mobility" or "High-mobility" based on cell history of the UE, i.e. depending on and associated with how the wireless device 120 has switched between cells. See e.g. 3GPP TS 36.331 , version 12.3.0, chapters 6.3.4. The wireless device 120 may be configured by parameters for setting what each state maps to, e.g. based on a number of cell switches under a certain time period. Such configuring parameters may be sent in system information broadcasted in the serving cell 1 15 by the serving network node 110. When events corresponding to the configuration occurs, the wireless device 5 120 may report to the serving radio network node 120.

Alternatively, or additionally, the serving radio network node 110 may obtain the speed information internally. Such speed information may be based on various information about the wireless device that the serving radio network node 1 10 has access to while and during the time the wireless device 120 is served in the serving cell 115. Said0 various information may e.g. be associated events that occur, e.g. triggered while and by serving the wireless device 120, and may involve one or more locations associated with the wireless devise at certain points in time.

The speed information may be in a corresponding or same format and/or comprise the same type of information as the speed indicator discussed in detail below under5 Action 303.

Action 302

The serving radio network node 1 10 may, based on the obtained speed information and one or more criteria, determine that the speed of the wireless device 120 should be0 taken into account by the target radio network node 11 1 when the target radio network node 11 1 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

The one or more criteria may e.g. be pre-defined and/or predetermined, typically by an operator of the first wireless communication network 100. The one or more criteria may be based on one or more threshold values and/or one or more algorithms. For example, a5 speed or range of speeds regarding how fast the wireless device 120 moves may be determined, e.g. calculated, based on a predefined algorithm and the obtained speed information. The determined speed or range of speeds may then be compared to a speed threshold value or values indicating a range or limit for speeds that are considered to be such, e.g. sufficiently high, so that they should or shall be taken into account by the target0 radio network node 11 1 for mobility management of the wireless device 120.

Action 303

The serving radio network node 110 sends the mobility information comprising a speed indicator to the target radio network node 1 11 that receives the mobility information. The speed indicator is based on the obtained speed information and indicates speed of the wireless device 120.

The mobility information comprising the speed indicator may be sent to the target radio network node 11 1 in response to the determination in Action 302.

5 In some embodiments, the speed indicator may be of the same type, or even be a copy or comprise a copy of the obtained speed information in Action 301. However, typically the speed indicator is different than the speed information, in particular when the present action is in response to the determination in Action 302.

In some embodiments, the speed indicator indicates to the target radio network

10 node 1 11 that the speed of the wireless device 120 should or shall be taken into account when the target radio network node 11 1 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

Further, in some embodiments, the speed indicator comprise information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves in absolute or relative terms.

Examples of absolute terms is when the speed indicator comprises a value that as

15 such denotes a certain speed or a certain speed range. In the former case the value is typically a single number, in the latter case it may be two values indicating the certain speed range or a single value indicating an upper or lower limit for the certain speed range being open ended range. For example, the value or values may denote a value or range of values based on number of cell switches per time unit, a distance per time unit,

20 or in principle anything that is a measure of speed.

Example of relative terms is when the speed indicator comprises information about speed of the wireless device 120 in relation to some reference, e.g. that the speed indicator corresponds, or maps, to a certain speed or certain speed range, which may be predetermined, e.g. by an operator of the first wireless communication network 100 and/or

25 the second wireless communication network 101. Different speed indicators may

correspond to, or map , to different speed ranges. The certain speed or certain speed range may have been predetermined based on characteristics of the first wireless communication network 100, the second wireless communication network 101 , and/or neighboring cells, e.g. the target cell 116. For example, the speed indicator may be in the

30 form of a bit or integer value that maps to a certain absolute speed or speed range

value(s) thereby e.g. indicating that the wireless device 120 moves at least at, i.e. at or above, a speed according to the absolute speed value. An absolute value of the reference may but need not be known by the target radio network node 1 11. For example, the speed indicator may indicate to the target radio network node 1 11 that the wireless device

35 120 moves at "low", "medium", high" or "very high speed". The target radio network node 1 11 need not necessarily be aware of exactly what these represents in absolute terms, but may be configured to respond to the speed indicator in a certain way depending on the value. In another example, the speed indicator, such as a bit value, may simply indicate whether the wireless device move at "high speed" or not, where the former case may indicate to the target radio network node 1 11 that the speed of the wireless device 120 should or shall be taken into account when the target radio network node 1 11 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the speed indicator is comprised in a message sent by the serving radio network node 110 for preparing handover to the target radio network node 11 1 and/or received by the target radio network node 11 1 for preparing handover from the serving radio network node 110. Examples of messages according to existing standard specifications are separately presented below, which messages advantageously may comprise the speed indicator.

Note that when the one or more intermediate nodes 130 are involved, i.e. the speed indicator is sent via the one or more intermediate nodes 130, the speed indicator may be comprised in messages that may be changed by some or all of the one or more intermediate network nodes 130. This may result in that the speed indicator may be comprised in another message when received by the target radio network node 1 11 than it was comprised in when it was sent by the serving radio network node 1 10. The one or more intermediate nodes 130 may be transparent for transmission of the speed indicator, i.e. the speed indicator is preferably the same although the message that carries the speed indicator may change. See e.g. the examples in the tables below, where the sent and received messages are different.

In some embodiments, the speed indicator comprises an identifier assigned to identify that the wireless device 120 moves below or above a certain speed or in a certain speed range. The identifier may be predefined and/or predetermined and may be an example of when the speed indicator comprise information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves in relative terms as discussed above. The identifier may e.g. be an information element (IE), and/or a bit or integer number, which may be predefined and/or predetermined to provide the identification. For example, the speed indicator may be, or be comprised in, a predefined IE. The predefined IE may be a modified version of an IE that already exist and is defined according to some standard specification, or may be a new IE that may be specific for speed indication. In both cases it may preferably be comprised in one or more of said already existing messages as discussed separately below. Action 304

The target radio network node 1 11 manages mobility, e.g. handover, of the wireless device 120 based on the received speed indicator. Manage mobility of the wireless device 5 120 may comprise setting up a new radio link to the wireless device 120. Setting up the radio link may involve making one or more of the following settings based on the received speed indicator: a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) setting, a frequency setting, a handover setting.

The target radio network node 11 1 may use the received speed indicator as input to0 one or more algorithms to achieve the above and e.g. be able to prioritize a low frequency band, shorten a DRX cycle and set more appropriate parameters for handover.

By shorten the DRX cycle, better performance of services for the wireless device 120 is enabled. Further, via the frequency setting it is possible to order the wireless device 120 to measure on a specific frequency band directly after the incoming handover, for5 example a low frequency band and thereby larger cells, which may minimize the number of handovers when the wireless device 120 moves at high speed. Also, thanks to embodiments herein, specific radio network parameters and/or settings used during mobility such as handover, for example thresholds and Time-to-Trigger (TTT) may be better adapted to the speed of the wireless device 120, e.g. when it moves at high speed.0 By optimizing these parameters based on the speed indicator, e.g. the number of drops during handover may be reduced.

Note that managing mobility according to the present action may involve and result in that messages are sent to the serving radio network node as in conventional handover, see e.g Msg 3) and Msg 4) in Figure 1 in the case of LTE. However, in case of

5 implementing embodiments herein, the messages would e.g. result from, or be part of, mobility management based on the speed indicator. For example, the radio link may be set up using a DRX setting, a frequency setting and/or a handover setting that are better adapted for directly handling the wireless device 120 at its speed than else would be the case.

0

Hence, embodiments herein enable the target radio network node 11 1 to e.g. get information about the speed of the wireless device 120, and e.g. be informed if the wireless device 120 is a "high speed" wireless device, already at the first time when resources are to be allocated in the target radio network node 1 11. It is advantageous, as5 enabled by embodiments herein, to be able to allocate better, or even the right, resources, apply service specific functions and set better, or even the right, radio network parameters directly, or at least much faster, than else would be possible. This reduces problems that else may occur at e.g. handover, in particular for wireless devices that move at such high speed that conventional methods for handover may cause problems or be not be as efficient as would be desirable.

Even without the speed indicator, the result may eventually be that a radio link with the same properties as with embodiments herein is set up, but thanks to the speed indicator it is possible to directly, already from the start, or at least faster, be able to set up a more appropriate radio link for the wireless device 120.

Further, embodiments herein enable use of specific parameter settings based on the speed of the wireless device already at the beginning of setting up the first radio link, which increase the performance of service(s) provided to the wireless device 120, enables reduction of drop rates during handover and enable improved KPIs. The speed indicator as discussed above in connection with Figure 3 is e.g.

compatible and may be used with the RATs mentioned in the Background, i.e. LTE, UMTS/WCDMA, GSM, and inter-RAT handover there between. The speed indicator may be comprised in existing messages according to the below or in corresponding messages of later versions of the standard specifications used as examples below. The speed indicator may be or be comprised in a new or modified information element in respective message. The messages are listed in tables below, each table associated with the RAT of the serving radio network node 110. That is, the first column in each table indicates RAT of the serving radio network node 110, and thus of the first wireless communication network 100 and which message may be used for sending the speed indicator from the serving radio network node 110. Subsequent columns in each table indicate the target radio network node 101 for respective RAT, i.e. LTE, UMTS/WCDMA and GSM. At least when the RAT of the target radio network node 11 1 differs from the RAT of the serving radio network node 1 10, the target radio network node 1 11 may be comprised in another wireless communication network, e.g. the second wireless communication network 101. Note that since GSM has separate procedure for speech and data, there are two rows per table with different messages only for the GSM columns. Furthermore, since it in LTE, as mentioned in the Background, is possible to perform intra handover, i.e. within LTE, over the X2 interface, in addition to over the S1 interface that may be used both for intra- as well as inter-RAT handover, there are two tables when the serving radio network node is LTE. Type of LTE (over X2) LTE (over X2)

handover

Serving radio network node 1 10 Target radio network node 1 11 is eNB ^" is eNB

Speech "HANDOVER REQUEST" "HANDOVER REQUEST" and/or (see e.g. 3GPP TS 36.423, version (see e.g. 3GPP TS 36.423, version

Data 12.3.0, chapter 9.1.1.1) 12.3.0, chapter 9.1.1.1)

Table 1 Possible messages to comprise speed indicator when RAT of serving radio node 1 10 is LTE and (intra-)handover is taking place over the X2 interface (direct between eNBs).

110 is LTE and handover is taking place over the S1 interface (via MME).

Type of UMTS/WCDMA UMTS/WCDMA LTE GSM

handover

Serving radio r Target radio Target radio Target radio network node * network node network node network node 1 10 is RNC 1 11 is RNC 1 11 is eNB 1 11 is BSC

Speech "RELOCATION "RELOCATION "HANDOVER "HANDOVER

REQUIRED" REQUEST" REQUEST" REQUEST" (see e.g. 3GPP (see e.g. 3GPP (see e.g. 3GPP (see e.g. 3GPP TS 25.413, TS 25.413, TS 36.413, TS 48.008, version 12.2.0, version 12.2.0, version 12.3.0, version 12.0.0, chapter 9.1.9) chapter 9.1.10) chapter 9.1.5.4) chapter 3.2.1.8)

Data "RELOCATION "RELOCATION "HANDOVER "PS REQUIRED" REQUEST" REQUEST" HANDOVER (see e.g. 3GPP (see e.g. 3GPP (see e.g. 3GPP REQUEST" TS 25.413, TS 25.413, TS 36.413, (see e.g. 3GPP version 12.2.0, version 12.2.0, version 12.3.0, TS 48.018, chapter 9.1.9)" chapter 9.1.10) chapter 9.1.5.4) version 12.3.0, chapter 10.4.30)

Table 3 Possible messages to comprise speed inc icator when RAT o F serving radio node

110 is UMTS/WCDMA.

5 110 is GSM.

Figure 4 is a flow chart schematically illustrating embodiments of a method, performed by the serving radio network node 110, for providing mobility information associated with the wireless device 120 to the target radio network node 1 11. The target0 radio network node 110 being a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device 120. As mentioned above, the serving radio network node 110 is comprised in the first wireless communication network 100 and the target radio network node 11 1 is also comprised in the first wireless communication network 100 or in the second wireless communication network 101.

5 The method comprises the following actions, which actions may be taken in any suitable order and/or be carried out fully or partly overlapping in time when this is possible and suitable. Action 401

The serving radio network node 1 10 obtains speed information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves.

This action may fully or partly correspond to Action 301 above.

Action 402

In some embodiments, the serving radio network node 1 10 determines, based on the obtained speed information and one or more criteria, that the speed of the wireless device 120 should be taken into account by the target radio network node 11 1 when the target radio network node 11 1 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

This action may fully or partly correspond to Action 302 above.

Action 403

The serving radio network node 1 10 sends, to the target radio network node 11 1 , the mobility information comprising a speed indicator. The speed indicator is based on the obtained speed information and indicates speed of the wireless device 120.

When Action 402 is carried out, the mobility information comprising the speed indicator is sent to the target radio network node 11 1 in response to the determination in Action 402.

The speed indicator may indicate to the target radio network node 1 1 1 that the speed of the wireless device 120 should or shall be taken into account when the target radio network node 1 11 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

The speed indicator comprise information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves in absolute or relative terms.

In some embodiments, the speed indicator is comprised in a message sent by the serving radio network node 1 10 for preparing handover to the target radio network node 1 11 and/or in a message received by the target radio network node 1 11 for preparing handover from the serving target radio network node 110.

The speed indicator may comprise an identifier assigned to identify that the wireless device 120 moves below or above a certain speed or in a certain speed interval.

This action may fully or partly correspond to Action 303 above.

Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram for illustrating embodiments of the serving radio network node 1 10 mentioned above in connection with Figure 4, for providing mobility information associated with the wireless device 120 to the target radio network node 1 11 , in particular how the serving radio network node 110 may be configured to perform the method and actions discussed above in connection with Figure 4.

The serving radio network node 1 10 may comprise a processing module 501 , 5 such as a means, one or more hardware modules, including e.g. one or more processors, and/or one or more software modules for performing said methods and/or actions.

The serving radio network node 110 may further comprise a memory 502 that may comprise, such as contain or store, a computer program 503. The computer program comprises 'instructions' or 'code' directly or indirectly executable by the serving radio

10 network node 1 10 so that it performs the said methods and/or actions. The memory 502 may comprise one or more memory units and may be further be arranged to store data, such as configurations and/or applications involved in or for performing functions and actions of embodiments herein.

Moreover, the serving radio network node 1 10 may comprise a processing circuit

15 504 as an exemplifying hardware module and may comprise or correspond to one or more processors. In some embodiments, the processing module 501 may comprise, e.g. 'is embodied in the form of or 'realized by' the processing circuit 504. In these

embodiments, the memory 502 may comprise the computer program 503 executable by the processing circuit 504, whereby the serving radio network node 1 10 is operative, or

20 configured, to perform said method and/or actions.

Typically the serving radio network node 110, e.g. the processing module 501 , comprises an Input/Output (I/O) module 505, configured to be involved in, e.g. by performing, any communication to and/or from other units and/or nodes, such as sending and/or receiving information to and/or from other external nodes or devices. The I/O

25 module 505 may be exemplified by an obtaining, e.g. receiving, module and/or a

providing, e.g. sending, module, when applicable.

In further embodiments, the serving radio network node 1 10, e.g. the processing module 501 , may comprise one or more of an obtaining module 506, a determining module 507 and a sending module 508 as exemplifying hardware and/or software

30 module(s). In some embodiments, the obtaining module 506, the determining module 507 and the sending module 508 may be fully or partly implemented by the processing circuit 504.

Therefore, according to the various embodiments described above, the serving radio network node 110, and/or the processing module 501 and/or the obtaining module 506 are operative, or configured, to obtain said speed information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves..

Moreover, according to the various embodiments described above, the serving radio network node 110, and/or the processing module 501 and/or the determining module 507 5 may be operative, or configured, to determine, based on the obtained speed information and said one or more criteria, that the speed of the wireless device 120 should be taken into account by the target radio network node 11 1 when the target radio network node 1 11 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

Further, according to the various embodiments described above, the serving radio

10 network node 110, and/or the processing module 501 and/or the sending module 507 are operative, or configured, to send, to the target radio network node 1 11 , the mobility information comprising said speed indicator, which speed indicator is based on the obtained speed information and indicates speed of the wireless device 120. The serving radio network node 110, and/or the processing module 501 and/or the sending module

15 507 may be operative, or configured, to do this in response to said determination that the speed of the wireless device 120 should be taken into account by the target radio network node 11 1 when the target radio network node 1 11 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

20 Figure 6 is a flow chart schematically illustrating embodiments of a method,

performed by the target radio network node 1 11 , for managing mobility of the wireless device 120 being served by the serving radio network node 1 10. The target radio network node 11 1 being a potentially new radio network node for serving the wireless device 120. As mentioned above, the serving radio network node 110 is comprised in the first wireless

25 communication network 100 and said target radio network node 1 11 is also comprised in the first wireless communication network 100 or in the second wireless communication network 101.

The method comprises the following actions, which actions may be taken in any suitable order and/or be carried out fully or partly overlapping in time when this is possible 30 and suitable.

Action 601

The target radio network node 1 11 receives, from the serving radio network node 1 10, mobility information associated with the wireless device 120. The mobility information 35 comprises a speed indicator indicating speed of the wireless device 120. The speed indicator may further indicate to the target radio network node 1 11 that the speed of the wireless device 120 should or shall be taken into account when the target radio network node 11 1 manages mobility of the wireless device 120.

In some embodiments, the speed indicator comprise information about how fast the wireless device 120 moves in absolute or relative terms.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the speed indicator is comprised in a message sent by the serving radio network node 110 for preparing handover to the target radio network node 11 1. Alternatively or additionally, the speed indicator may be comprised in a message received by the target radio network node 11 1 for preparing handover from the serving target radio network node 1 10.

Further, in some embodiments, the speed indicator comprises an identifier assigned to identify that the wireless device 120 moves below or above a certain speed or in a certain speed interval.

This action may fully or partly correspond to Action 303 above.

Action 602

The target radio network node 11 1 manages mobility of the wireless device 120 based on the received speed indicator. Managing mobility of the wireless device 120 may comprises setting up a new radio link to the wireless device 120, e.g. as part of handover of the wireless device 120 from the serving radio network node 110 to the target radio network node 11 1. Setting up the radio link may involves making one or more of the following settings based on the received speed indicator: a DRX setting, a frequency setting, a handover setting.

This action may fully or partly correspond to Action 304 above.

Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram for illustrating embodiments of the target radio network node 11 1 mentioned above in connection with Figure 6, for managing mobility of the wireless device 120 being served by the serving radio network node 110, in particular how the target radio network node 1 11 may be configured to perform the method and actions discussed above in connection with Figure 5.

The target radio network node 1 11 may comprise a processing module 701 , such as a means, one or more hardware modules, including e.g. one or more processors, and/or one or more software modules for performing said methods and/or actions.

The target radio network node 11 1 may further comprise a memory 702 that may comprise, such as contain or store, a computer program 703. The computer program comprises 'instructions' or 'code' directly or indirectly executable by the target radio network node 1 11 so that it performs the said methods and/or actions. The memory 702 may comprise one or more memory units and may be further be arranged to store data, such as configurations and/or applications involved in or for performing functions and actions of embodiments herein.

Moreover, the target radio network node 1 11 may comprise a processing circuit 704 as an exemplifying hardware module and may comprise or correspond to one or more processors. In some embodiments, the processing module 701 may comprise, e.g. 'is embodied in the form of or 'realized by' the processing circuit 704. In these

embodiments, the memory 702 may comprise the computer program 703 executable by the processing circuit 704, whereby the target radio network node 11 1 is operative, or configured, to perform said method and/or actions.

Typically the target radio network node 11 1 , e.g. the processing module 701 , comprises an Input/Output (I/O) module 705, configured to be involved in, e.g. by performing, any communication to and/or from other units and/or nodes, such as sending and/or receiving information to and/or from other external nodes or devices. The I/O module 705 may be exemplified by an obtaining, e.g. receiving, module and/or a providing, e.g. sending, module, when applicable.

In further embodiments, the target radio network node 11 1 , e.g. the processing module 701 , may comprise one or more of an receiving module 706 and a managing module 707 as exemplifying hardware and/or software module(s). In some embodiments, the receiving module 706 and the managing module 707 may be fully or partly

implemented by the processing circuit 704.

Therefore, according to the various embodiments described above, the target radio network node 11 1 , and/or the processing module 701 and/or the receiving module 706 are operative, or configured, to receive, from the serving radio network node 110, said mobility information associated with the wireless device 120, which mobility information comprises the speed indicator indicating speed of the wireless device 120.

Moreover, according to the various embodiments described above, the target radio network node 11 1 , and/or the processing module 701 and/or the managing module 707 are operative, or configured, to manage mobility of the wireless device 120 based on the received speed indicator. In some embodiments, this comprises that the target radio network node 11 1 , and/or the processing module 701 and/or the managing module 707 are operative, or configured, to set up said new radio link to the wireless device 120. Figures 8a-c are schematic drawings illustrating embodiments relating to a computer program that may be any one of the computer programs 503, 703 and that comprises instructions that when executed by the processing circuits 504, 704

respectively and/or the processing modules 501 , 701 respectively, causes the serving radio network node 110 and/or the target radio network node 1 11 to perform as described above.

In some embodiments there is provided a data carrier, e.g. a computer program product, comprising any one or both of the computer programs 503, 703. The data carrier may be one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable medium. Any one or both of the computer programs 503, 703 may thus be stored on the computer readable medium. By data carrier may be excluded a transitory, propagating signal and the data carrier may correspondingly be named non-transitory data carrier. Non-limiting examples of the data carrier being a computer-readable medium is a memory card or a memory stick 801 as in Figure 8a, a disc storage medium 802 such as a CD or DVD as in Figure 8b, a mass storage device 803 as in Figure 8c. The mass storage device 803 is typically based on hard drive(s) or Solid State Drive(s) (SSD). The mass storage device 803 may be such that is used for storing data accessible over a computer network 804, e.g. the Internet or a Local Area Network (LAN).

Any one or both of the computer programs 503, 703 may furthermore be provided as a pure computer program or comprised in a file or files. The file or files may be stored on the computer-readable medium and e.g. available through download e.g. over the computer network 804, such as from the mass storage device 803 via a server. The server may e.g. be a web or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. The file or files may e.g. be executable files for direct or indirect download to and execution on the serving radio network node 110 and/or target radio network node 1 11 , e.g. by any one or both of the processing circuits 504, 704. The file or files may also or alternatively be for intermediate download and compilation involving the same or another processor to make them executable before further download and execution causing the serving radio network node 1 10 and/or target radio network node 1 11 to perform the method as described above.

Note that any processing module(s) mentioned in the foregoing may be

implemented as a software and/or hardware module, e.g. in existing hardware and/or as an Application Specific integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or the like. Also note that any hardware module(s) and/or circuit(s) mentioned in the foregoing may e.g. be included in a single ASIC or FPGA, or be distributed among several separate hardware components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the modules and circuitry discussed herein may refer to a combination of hardware modules, software modules, analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors make the serving radio network node 110 and/or the target radio network node 1 11 to be configured to and/or to perform the above-described methods, respectively.

Many details of examples above are in a particular RAT context, or contexts of different RATs, and/or may have a specific meaning in such contexts, as recognized by the skilled person. However, embodiments herein are not limited to only such contexts as used in the examples.

The term "network node" as used herein may as such refer to any type of radio network node (described below) or any network node, which may communicate with at least a radio network node. Examples of such network nodes include any radio network node stated above, a core network node (e.g. MSC, MME, etc.), Operations &

Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support Systems (OSS), Self Organizing Network (SON) node, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC), MDT etc.

The term "radio network node" as used herein may as such refer to any type of network node capable of serving a wireless device, e.g. UE, and/or that are connected to other network node(s) or network element(s) or any radio node from which a wireless device receives signals. A radio network is typically comprised in a Radio Access Network

(RAN) part of a wireless communication network. Examples of radio network nodes are

Node B, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS) etc.

The term "node" as used herein may be used for the sake of simplicity, in order to denote a node which may be a network node, a radio network node or a wireless device, as applicable.

Note that although terminology used herein may be particularly associated with and/or exemplified by certain cellular communication systems, wireless communication networks etc., depending on terminology used, such as wireless communication networks based on 3GPP, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein to only such certain systems, networks etc. As used herein, the term "memory" may refer to a hard disk, a magnetic storage medium, a portable computer diskette or disc, flash memory, random access memory (RAM) or the like. Furthermore, the memory may be an internal register memory of a processor.

Also note that enumerating terminology such as first network node, second network node, first wireless device, second wireless device, etc., as such should be considering non-limiting and the terminology as such does not imply a certain hierarchical relation. Without any explicit information in the contrary, naming by enumeration should be considered merely a way of accomplishing different names.

As used herein, the expression "configured to" may mean that a processing circuit is configured to, or adapted to, by means of software or hardware configuration, perform one or more of the actions described herein.

As used herein, the terms "number", "value" may be any kind of digit, such as binary, real, imaginary or rational number or the like. Moreover, "number", "value" may be one or more characters, such as a letter or a string of letters. Also, "number", "value" may be represented by a bit string.

As used herein, the expression "in some embodiments" has been used to indicate that the features of the embodiment described may be combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

As used herein, the expression "transmit" and "send" are typically interchangeable. These expressions may include transmission by broadcasting, uni-casting, group-casting and the like. In this context, a transmission by broadcasting may be received and decoded by any authorized device within range. In case of uni-casting, one specifically addressed device may receive and encode the transmission. In case of group-casting, e.g. multi- casting, a group of specifically addressed devices may receive and decode the

transmission.

When using the word "comprise" or "comprising" it shall be interpreted as non- limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred

embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the appending claims.