Handover Management in Two-Tier Femtocell–Macrocell Network

Abstract

Good mobile coverage and better data rate is key to customer satisfaction. For latest 4G and 5G technologies as well 5 bar mobile coverage is required, to perform at its best. Small cell technology like femtocell helps these latest mobile communication technologies to achieve their goal of better coverage and high data rate. Femto cells are low cost, low power and efficient way to achieve better coverage. It has ability to boost mobile signal in indoor or in areas with little or no mobile coverage. For successful deployment of femto cells in predominant macrocell network seamless communication in between these two is must. For uninterrupted communication, handover should be carefully handled between femtocell and macrocell when user is moving around femtocell. Handover management is quite challenging in integrated macrocell and femtocell network because of random deployment of femtocell in planned macrocell network. In this article, we have proposed new handover approach with call admission control for uninterrupted communication between femto cell and macrocell network. This approach also helps to avoid unnecessary handovers due to small coverage area of femtocells.