Comparison of signaling loads for PCS systems

Abstract

We present a comparison of the control signaling load of two vastly different architectures for providing personal communication services (PCSs). One architecture is based on current cellular networks. The other architecture, called the wireless distributed call processing architecture (WDCPA), distributes processing from the mobile switching centers and cell sites and executes new procedures for tracking mobile users and locating mobile users to deliver calls. We determine the signaling load generated within each system to support mobility management and call control based on standard assumptions about the operating parameters of a cellular network. Our results show that, when compared to current cellular systems, for simple single-connection services, WDCPA has marginally reduced cross-network signaling loads. For multiconnection calls, WDCPA incurs 35% less total signaling load for mobility management, has reduced cross-network signaling load for mobility management by up to 65%, and depending on the user model (e.g., data or telecommunication), has reduced total cross-network signaling load, including procedures for call/connection and mobility management, by up to 55% when compared to current cellular systems, while more flexibly supporting services.