Multi-objective handover in LTE macro/femto-cell networks

One of the key elements in the emerging, packet-based long term evolution (LTE) cellular systems is the deployment of multiple femtocells for the improvement of coverage and data rate. However, arbitrary overlaps in the coverage of these femto-cells make the handover operation more complex and challenging. As the existing handover strategy of LTE systems considers only carrier to interference plus noise ratio (CINR), it often suffers from resource constraints in the target femtocell, thereby leading to handover failure. In this paper, we propose a new efficient, multi-objective handover solution for LTE cellular systems. The proposed solution considers multiple parameters like signal strength and available bandwidth in the selection of the optimal target cell. This results in a significant increase in the handover success rate, thereby reducing the blocking of handover and new sessions. The overall handover process is modeled and analyzed by a three-dimensional Markov chain. The analytical results for the major performance metrics closely resemble the simulation results. The simulation results show that the proposed multi-objective handover offers considerable improvement in the session blocking rates, session queuing delay, handover latency, and goodput during handover.

[1]  P. Pardalos,et al.  Pareto optimality, game theory and equilibria , 2008 .

[2]  Afef Feki,et al.  Autonomous Spectrum Sharing for Mixed LTE Femto and Macro Cells Deployments , 2010, 2010 INFOCOM IEEE Conference on Computer Communications Workshops.

[3]  W.-K. Liao,et al.  Supporting vertical handover between universal mobile telecommunications system and wireless LAN for real-time services , 2008, IET Commun..

[4]  Hyunjeong Lee,et al.  A per-application mobility management platform for application-specific handover decision in overlay networks , 2009, Comput. Networks.

[5]  Clint Smith,et al.  3G Wireless Networks , 2001 .

[6]  Jared L. Cohon,et al.  Multiobjective programming and planning , 2004 .

[7]  Young-Joo Suh,et al.  Seamless handover support over heterogeneous networks using FMIPv6 with definitive L2 triggers , 2007, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[8]  Jeffrey G. Andrews,et al.  Femtocell networks: a survey , 2008, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[9]  Ronny Yongho Kim,et al.  WiMAX femtocell: requirements, challenges, and solutions , 2009, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[10]  Henning Schulzrinne,et al.  Seamless proactive handover across heterogeneous access networks , 2007, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[11]  Liqiang Zhao,et al.  Congestion-aware proactive vertical handoff algorithm in heterogeneous wireless networks , 2009, IET Commun..

[12]  P. Horvath,et al.  Impact of Intra-LTE Handover with Forwarding on the User Connections , 2007, 2007 16th IST Mobile and Wireless Communications Summit.

[13]  Martina Zitterbart,et al.  A quality-of-service signaling architecture for seamless handover support in next generation, IP-based mobile networks , 2007, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[14]  Preben E. Mogensen,et al.  Performance Analysis of Handover Measurements and Layer 3 Filtering for Utran LTE , 2007, 2007 IEEE 18th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications.

[15]  Christian Bettstetter,et al.  Mobility modeling in wireless networks: categorization, smooth movement, and border effects , 2001, MOCO.

[16]  P. Papalambros,et al.  A NOTE ON WEIGHTED CRITERIA METHODS FOR COMPROMISE SOLUTIONS IN MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION , 1996 .

[17]  Cornelia Kappler,et al.  Moving toward seamless mobility: state of the art and emerging aspects in standardization bodies , 2007, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[18]  Jeffrey G. Andrews,et al.  Open vs. Closed Access Femtocells in the Uplink , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications.

[19]  Preben E. Mogensen,et al.  Performance Evaluation of Received Signal Strength Based Hard Handover for UTRAN LTE , 2007, 2007 IEEE 65th Vehicular Technology Conference - VTC2007-Spring.

[20]  A. Racz,et al.  Handover Performance in 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) Systems , 2007, 2007 16th IST Mobile and Wireless Communications Summit.

[21]  Jae-Hyoung Lee,et al.  A Mobility Management Technique with Simple Handover Prediction for 3G LTE Systems , 2007, 2007 IEEE 66th Vehicular Technology Conference.

[22]  Che-Sheng Chiu,et al.  Improving Inter-Sector Handover User Throughput by Using Partial Reuse and Softer Handover in 3GPP LTE Downlink , 2008, 2008 10th International Conference on Advanced Communication Technology.