SOFT HANDOVER IN A CELLULAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A handover apparatus comprises functionality for adding a soft handover connection to an active set of a remote station served by at least a first base station in a cellular communication system. A soft handover processor determines that the soft handover connection should be added to the active set. In response a resource processor sets up resources in support of a communication link between a base station supporting the soft handover connection and the remote station. In parallel, an instructing processor transmits a handover addition message to the remote station instructing the remote station to include the communication link in the active set. The instructing processor is arranged to transmit the handover addition message before the setting up of resources by the resource processor is completed. The invention is particularly suitable for a UMTS communication system and may provide reduced delay and improved soft handover performance.