★ Soft/softer handover down-link: UE rake receiver performs maximum ratio combining, i.e. UE combines multi-path signals and form a stronger signal.

★ Soft handover up-link: RNC performs selection combining, i.e. RNC selects the better signal coming from multiple NodeB.

★ Softer handover up-link: NodeB performs maximum ratio combining, i.e. NodeB rake receiver combines signals from different paths and forms a stronger signal