Power efficiency in multiple radio access technologies scenarios

1. A method of a terminal configured for communication using a first radio link towards a first access node and for communication using a second radio link towards a second access node, said first radio link and said second radio link utilizing different radio access technologies, said method comprising:

estimating a first uplink power efficiency for said first radio link,

estimating a second uplink power efficiency for said second radio link,

comparing said first uplink power efficiency and said second uplink power efficiency in connection with a power efficiency parameter provided from the first access node for primary radio link selection, and

selecting said first radio link or said second radio link as a primary radio link to be utilized for simultaneous uplink transmissions over said first radio link towards said first access node and said second radio link towards said second access node based on a result of said comparing.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

said first radio link is pre-configured as said primary radio link, and

in relation to said comparing

said second uplink power efficiency is compared to a sum of said first uplink power efficiency and a predetermined margin parameter,

wherein said first radio link is selected as said primary radio link, if said second uplink power efficiency is not greater than said sum.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein

said second radio link is selected as said primary radio link, if said second uplink power efficiency is greater than said sum.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

said first radio link is pre-configured as said primary radio link, and

in relation to said comparing

said second uplink power efficiency is compared to a product of said first uplink power efficiency and a predetermined margin parameter,

wherein said first radio link is selected as said primary radio link, if said second uplink power efficiency is not greater than said product.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein

said second radio link is selected as said primary radio link, if said second uplink power efficiency is greater than said product.

6. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising

receiving first configuration information indicative of said pre-configured primary radio link, and

receiving second configuration information indicative of said predetermined margin parameter.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising

transmitting information indicative of the radio link selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link being a preferred primary radio link.

8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising

receiving control information indicative of confirmation or change of the radio link selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link, and

if said control information is indicative of change of the radio link selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link, changing the radio link selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link based on the control information.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising

setting the radio link not selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link as a secondary radio link.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising

determining uplink resources allocated to said primary radio link,

estimating needed uplink transmission power corresponding to an uplink transmission utilizing said determined uplink resources,

estimating remaining uplink transmission power as a difference between a maximum available uplink transmission power and said estimated needed uplink transmission power, and

deciding whether to deploy bearer split utilizing said secondary radio link based on said estimated remaining uplink transmission power and an uplink buffer size.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein

it is decided to deploy said bearer split, if said estimated remaining uplink transmission power is greater than a predetermined remaining transmission power threshold and said uplink buffer size is greater than a predetermined uplink buffer size threshold.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein

said predetermined remaining uplink transmission power threshold is 0, and/or

the method further comprising

receiving third configuration information indicative of said predetermined uplink buffer size threshold.

13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising

receiving threshold information indicative of a data amount threshold,

wherein it is decided to deploy said bearer split, if an amount of data to be transmitted over said secondary radio link is greater than said data amount threshold.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:

receiving information indicative of the radio link selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link being a preferred primary radio link,

deciding to confirm or change the radio link selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link, and

transmitting control information indicative of a result of said deciding.

15. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:

transmitting third configuration information indicative of a predetermined uplink buffer size threshold to be considered for decision whether to deploy bearer split utilizing a secondary radio link being the radio link not selected as said primary radio link among said first radio link and said second radio link.

16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising

transmitting threshold information indicative of a data amount threshold to be considered for said decision whether to deploy said bearer split.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:

estimating a first uplink power efficiency for a first radio link,

estimating a second uplink power efficiency for a second radio link,

comparing said first uplink power efficiency and said second uplink power efficiency in connection with a power efficiency parameter provided from a first access node for primary radio link selection, and

selecting said first radio link or said second radio link as a primary radio link to be utilized for simultaneous uplink transmissions over said first radio link towards said first access node and said second radio link towards a second access node based on a result of said comparing.