Sensitivity of Handover Performance to Path Loss Exponent: A Variable Hysteresis Margin based Handover Initiation Algorithm

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the sensitivity of handover initiation algorithm to path loss exponent. The effect of the propagating model parameters on both the mean number of handovers, and handover initiation delay are investigated. The algorithm is based on signal strength measurements using relative signal strength with hysteresis margin approach. The mean number of handovers is estimated for a single trip of mobile station from one base station to another, henceforth referred to as handover rate. Different path loss exponents varying from 2 to 8 are used for the simulation and the corresponding impact on handover rate and delay was studied. It is observed that handover rate depends on the path loss exponent. In a nonuniform environment, path loss parameters may be different and a given handover scheme cannot give optimum results consistently in the entire cellular network. A variable hysteresis margin based scheme for optimum handover performance under different propagation environments is proposed. The simulation results yield optimized tradeoff between handover rate and handover initiation delay.

Indexing terms:

• Handover
• Mobile communication
• Path loss exponent
• Shadow fading

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brahmjit Singh

Brahmjit Singh received BE degree in Electronics Engineering, with honours, from Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (formerly MREC) and ME degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering with specialization in Microwave and Radar from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (then UOR) in 1988 and 1995 respectively. He started his career as a lecturer in Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jhansi (UP). He is presently with Electronics and Communication Engineering Department as Assistant Professor at National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra and working toward PhD degree in Wireless Mobile Cellular Systems at School of Information Technology, GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi. His research interests include mobile communications and wireless networks with emphasis on radio resource and mobility management. He has published 14 research papers in international/national journals and conferences.

K K Aggarwal

K K Aggarwal is the Vice-Chancellor of GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi. He graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Punjab University and obtained his Masters degree in Advanced Electronics from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra securing first position in both. He obtained his PhD in Reliability, Evaluation and Optimization from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. He was Chairman, Department of Electronics, Communication and Computer Engineering and Dean (Academic) at National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra (then REC). He was also the Director, ‘Centre for Excellence for Manpower Development in Reliability Engineering’ established by Ministry of Human Resource Development there. Before joining Indraprastha University, he was Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar.

Prof K K Aggarwal has been teaching Electronics and Communication Engineering. He has specialized in Quality & Reliability. He has published about 250 papers, a majority of them in international journals. He has also authored books and articles; many of them have appeared in IEEE, USA publications. He has delivered lectures in several universities in India and abroad. He has been widely consulted by the industry, most notable being his contribution towards the Reliability Analysis for PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). Prof K K Aggarwal was honoured by the Reliability Society of IEEE, USA for his services as guest editor for the special issue on “State of Reliability Effort of the Indian Sub-continent”. He was declared as Man of the Decade, Man of the Century and finally Man of the Millennium by American Bibliographical Institute, USA and was conferred L C Verman award by the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers. He was also awarded the Life Time Achievement Medal by the India International Friendship Society. He is the Fellow of the IETE & President of the IETE from 2002.

Shakti Kumar

Shakti Kumar is working as Professor and Additional Director at Haryana Engineering College, Jagadhri. He did MS (Electronics & Control) from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and PhD from National Institute of Technology (Formerly REC) Kurukshetra. He has served as a faculty member in the department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, NIT Kurukshetra, Department of Computer Engineering, Atlim University, Ankara, Turkey and BITS Pilani, Dubai Centre, Alghurair University, UAE.

Before joining Haryana Engineering College he held various prestigious positions. He was Co-ordinator, Centre for Excellence in Reliability Engineering at REC Kurukshetra. He served as Director, Jind Institute of Engineering and Technology Jind, Director, Engineering College, Academy of Business and Engineering Sciences, Ghaziabad.

His areas of interest are fuzzy logic based systems, artificial neural networks and mobile computing. He has published more than 50 research articles in various International/National journals and conference. He is member of various professional bodies including IEEE, IETE, ISTE.