An efficient approach for DVB-H handover in DVB-H/UMTS hybrid networks

Abstract

Handover in Digital Video Broadcasting for Handhelds (DVB-H) aims to provide continuous mobile broadcasting services when a user is traveling through cell boundaries. A good handover control can improve the power efficiency and gain much better reception quality. This letter provides a novel approach for DVB-H handover based on DVB-H/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) hybrid network, which moves the main handover function from the terminals to the networks, so that it reduces the operation complexity of the terminals and increases the power saving. When the terminal can not receive the DVB-H signal in the transmission shadow areas or because of some other reasons, the UMTS networks may offer the same service to users to make the service continuous. As the UMTS networks have the topology of the DVB-H networks, by communicating with the terminals, the UMTS networks can help the terminals to predict the handover, and avoid unnecessary handover.