Handover management procedures for future generations mobile heterogeneous networks

Abstract

Handover (HO) management in Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) poses challenges arising from network densification and dynamic environmental behaviors. Existing HO decision algorithms struggle to efficiently utilize network resources and ensure a high-quality user experience amidst the complexity of HetNets and the burgeoning growth of mobile users. This paper introduces a robust and data-driven HO decision model designed to enhance HO performance in HetNets. Initially, a conventional HO decision algorithm is developed based on users' Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) values in MATLAB. Various simulation cases explore different HO parameters to observe their impact on handover performance. To address these challenges, a data-driven HO decision model leveraging Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), a deep learning technique, is proposed for the regression task. The LSTM model is trained and tested using obtained RSRP values, and the future RSRP values predicted by the model are employed to trigger HO decisions in the proposed algorithm. Results from the traditional HO decision algorithm are compared with those of the proposed machine learning-based approach across various simulation runs, considering average Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), RSRP, user throughput values, the number of HOs and the Radio Link Failure (RLF) ratio. Different user speeds are also considered to establish a relationship between HO frequency and mobile user speed. The proposed model achieved reducing the rate of radio link failure to levels that are deemed acceptable in order to ensure a continuous connection.