Inter Radio Access Technology [IRAT] Handover Algorithms for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract

Inter-system handover is important for 4G/5G networks as these heterogeneous wireless networks (HWNs) have integrated different radio access technologies with diverse levels of performance. One of the major challenges is to make cell reselection and handover between these technologies. In this paper, we considered convergence of HWNs such as an integrated 3rd generation partnership project long term evaluation with legacy networks like WCDMA, GSM and a wireless local area network. We propose inter-radio access technology hand off or inter-system handoff (ISHO) algorithms to evaluate the performance of integrated network model. Three different realistic handoff scenarios have been investigated in the proposed integrated HWN. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the inter-system handover performance for the network model proposed. The performance of our proposed network model has been carried out using proposed ISHO-algorithms in terms of the average number of handoffs and decision delay. To reduce the unnecessary handoffs, to stave off the ping-pong effect and to lessen the decision delay, additional parameters such as time to trigger and hysteresis values are considered.