Optimized handover strategy with hybrid satisfaction mechanisms

Abstract

One of the key features of cellular systems is the possibility to switch the connection over several cells while the user is moving. This handover between cells has been upgraded to tackle different operator/users' objectives, and even it has been proposed between two access technologies for what is known as vertical handover. The long term evolution-advanced technology uses two kinds of cells within its coverage design, the macrocell to provide larger coverage at the extent of lower data rate; and the smallcell (i.e., femtocell) that is designed for very high data rate while low coverage is provided. Therefore, special mechanisms for handover between macrocells and smallcells are required. Along this paper we propose two handover mechanisms over such scenario where the objectives vary among larger data rate, lower energy consumption and load balancing. Special concern is given to green communications that have emerged as one of the most important trends in wireless communications because of its several advantages of interference reduction, battery life increase and electrical bill cut. The presented handover mechanism can tackle more than one objective at a time in order to provide satisfaction both to the operator and users. Interesting conclusions are obtained about the presented approach through computer simulations.