Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cellular Network Performance Analysis: Handoff Algorithms Based on Mobile Location and Area Information

  • Published:
Wireless Personal Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mobile world's rapid growth has spurred development of new protocols and new algorithms to meet changing operation requirements such as mobile networking, and quality-of-service support. A key requirement in the bearer capabilities is the handover. The freedom to be able to make and receive calls anywhere, at any time, creating a totally new dimension in human communications has frequently been advertised as the main advantage of new wireless systems. Handovers are a key concept in providing this mobility. It makes it possible for a user to travel from one cell to another while having a seamless connection. Network operators give emphasis to optimize handover, since it is strongly related to dropped calls, network overload and subsequently users' criticism. The ability of a cellular network to perform efficient handovers is crucial to offer attractive services as real-time applications or streaming media as planned in third generation networks. Since signal propagation and pathloss are complex in nature, we can expect unnecessary and wrong handoff executions. Both UMTS and those of the second generation (GSM) systems will require redefined handoff algorithms of active connections as the smooth mobility support and continuous connection are essential issues for obtaining high performance and increasing user satisfaction. In this paper we present a set of intelligent algorithms using the mobile terminal (MT) location information and area awareness to assist safe handoff decisions. The implemented algorithms are validated by means of cellular network simulators that clearly show the impact of these techniques to major system performance metrics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. I. Samuel, K. Arora, and B. Nasarimhan, “Location-Based Performance — Measuring Techniques in UMTS”, Bell Labs Technical Journal, Vol. 8, Lucent Technologies, No. 2, pp. 15–32, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  2. M. Gudmundson, “Analysis of Handover Algorithms,” in Proceedings of Vehicular Technology Conference 91, St. Louis, MO, May 19, 1991, pp. 537–542.

  3. M.E. Anagnostou and G.C. Manos, “Handover Related Performance of Mobile Communication Networks”, in Proceedings of Vehicular Technology Conference 94, Stockholm, Sweden, June 8, 1994, pp. 111–114.

  4. G.P. Pollini, “A Catalog of Handover Algorithms for the Cellular Packet Switch”, WINLAB Tech. Rep. TR-48, Rutgers, January 1993.

  5. http://www.comnets.rwth-aachen.de/report96/node36.html.

  6. M. Chiu and M. Bassiouni, “Predictive Schemes for Handoff Prioritization in Cellular Networks Based on Mobile Positioning”, IEEE Journal on selected areas in communications, Vol. 18, No. 3, March 2000.

  7. 3GPP TR 23.920 V3.1.0 (1999–10)

  8. J. Markoulidakis, J. Dermitzakis, G. Lyberopoulos, and M. Theologou, “Handover Prioritised Schemes for Optimal Capacity and Overload Management in Cellular Mobile Systems,” VTC 1999 Fall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

  9. S.S.P. Wang and C.H. WU, “Effective Handoff Method Using Mobile Location Information” VTC2001 Spring, Rhodes, May 2001.

  10. IST-Cello (www.telecom.ntua.gr/cello) D22 “MGIS technical documentation”, November 2001.

  11. M. Viterbi and A.J. Viterbi, “Erlang Capacity of a Power-Controlled CDMA”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 11, No. 6, August 1993.

  12. E. Dahlman, J. Knutsson F. Ovesjo, M., Persson, and C. Roobol, “WCDMA — The Radio Interface for Future Mobile Multimedia Communications”, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 47. No. 4, pp. 1105–1118, November 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  13. E. Dahlman, J. Knutsson, F. Ovesjo, M. Persson, and C. Roobol, “WCDMA — The Radio Interface for Future Mobile Multimedia Communications”, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 47, No. 4, pp. 1105–1118, November 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Z. Liu and M.E. Zarki, “SIR-Based Call Admission Control for DS-CDMA Cellular Systems”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 638–644, May 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Y. Ishikawa and N. Umeda, “Capacity Design and Performance of Call Admission Control in Cellular CDMA Systems”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 15, No. 8, 8 October 1997.

  16. S. Shin, C.H. Cho, and D.K. Sung, “Interference Based Channel Assignment for DS-CDMA Cellular Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 48, No 1, January 1999.

  17. J. Laiho, A. Wacker, and T. Novosad (eds.), Radio Network Planning and Optimisation for UMTS, Wiley, New York.

  18. 3rd Generation Partnership Project, Technical Specification Group RAN, Working Group 2 (TSG RAN WG2), “Radio Resource Management Strategies”, 3G TR 25.922, V2.0.0, December 1999R.

  19. Vijayan and J. M. Holtzman, “Analysis of Handover Algorithms Using Nonstationary Signal Strength Measurements,” in Proceedings of Globecom 92, Orlando, FL, Paper 41.2, p. 9, 6 December 1992.

  20. G.E. Corazza, D. Giancristofaro, and F. Santucci, “Characterization of Handover Initialization in Cellular Mobile Radio Networks”, in Proceedings of Vehicular Technology Conference 94, Stockholm, Sweden, pp. 1869–1872, 8 June 1994.

  21. N. Zhang and J.M. Holtzman, “Analysis of Handoff Algorithms Using Both Absolute and Relative Measurements,” in Proceedings of Vehicular Technology Conference 94, Stockholm, Sweden, pp. 82–86, 8 June 1994.

  22. M. Chiu and M. Bassiouni, “Predictive Schemes for Handoff Prioritization in Cellular Networks Based on Mobile Positioning”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 18, No. 3, March 2000.

  23. N. Dimitriou, R. Tafazolli, and G. Sfikas, “Quality of Service for Multimedia CDMA”, IEEE Communications Magazine, pp 88–94, July 2000.

  24. P. Demestichas, K. Tsagkaris, G. Kotsakis, E. Tzifa, and M. Theologou, “Uplink Transmission Power Allocation in the Design and Management of CDMA-based Cellular Networks”, IEE Electronic Letters Journal, Vol. 39, No. 1, 2003.

  25. Z. Liu and M. E. Zarki, “SIR-Based Call Admission Control for DS-CDMA Cellular Systems”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 638–644, May 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Y. Ishikawa and N. Umeda, “Capacity Design and Performance of Call Admission Control in Cellular CDMA Systems”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 15, No. 8, 8 October 1997.

  27. S. Shin, C.H. Cho, and D.K. Sung “Interference Based Channel Assignment for DS-CDMA Cellular Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 48, No. 1, January 1999.

  28. R.D. Yates, “A Framework for Uplink Power Control in Cellular Radio Systems”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 13, No. 7, pp 1341–1348, September 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  29. F. Berggren, S.-L. Kim, R. Jantti, and J. Zander, “Joint Power Control and Intracell Scheduling of DS-CDMA Nonreal Time Data”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 19, No. 10, October 2001.

  30. S. Floyd and V. Paxson, “Difficulties in Simulating the Internet” IEEE/ACm Transactions on Networking, Vol. 9, No. 4, August 2001.

  31. A. Markopoulos, P. Pissaris, and S. Kyriazakos, Combining Position Location Information and Network Performance Data for Simulating Location Aided Handover, IST Summit 2002, Thessalonica, Greece.

  32. T. Ojampera and R. Prasad, “Wideband CDMA for third generation mobile communications”, Artech House, 1998.

  33. 3rd Generation Partnership Project, Technical Specification Group RAN, Working Group 2 (TSG RAN WG2), “ Radio Resource Management Strategies”, 3G TR25.922, V2.0.0, December 1999.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Telecommunications Laboratory, 9 Heroon Polytechneiou Street, Zographou, 15773, Athens, Greece

    Antonis E. Markopoulos, Panagiotis Pissaris, Sofoklis Kyriazakos & Efstathios D. Sykas

Authors
  1. Antonis E. Markopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Panagiotis Pissaris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sofoklis Kyriazakos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Efstathios D. Sykas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Markopoulos, A.E., Pissaris, P., Kyriazakos, S. et al. Cellular Network Performance Analysis: Handoff Algorithms Based on Mobile Location and Area Information. Wireless Personal Communications 30, 97–117 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WIRE.0000049393.01548.30

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WIRE.0000049393.01548.30

Search

Navigation