Enhanced Handover Performance in Cellular

Systems based on Position Location

of Mobile Terminals
Pavlos Fournogerakis, Sofoklis Kyriazakos, George Karetsos
Telecommunications Laboratory
National Technical University of Athens
Heroon Polytechniou 9, 157 73 Athens, Greece
E-mail: {pfour ; skyriazakos ; gkaret}@telecom.ntua.gr

Abstract
Handover is a critical feature in cellular systems and therefore handover algorithms are under
extensive research. Problems in handover algorithm or its parameters may lead into call drops with a
direct effect on user satisfaction. This is particularly critical for 3G systems, where high data rate
users will be prime candidates for being dropped. Unnecessary handovers lead to degraded call
quality and waist of capacity in signaling. Since the cell-size is constantly decreasing, it is important
for the handover algorithm to identify users with different mobility and data rate characteristics.
Mobile phone location techniques being currently standardized and developed, provide a means for
the mobile network operator to get location-related information about the network performance and to
spatially adapt the network resources to the demand. The location capable phones actually offer a
huge, distributed network monitoring system, which can be employed to serve the mobile network
operators network planning and optimization activities. Therefore, our main concern is to come up
with such innovative contributions based on the development and validation of a new intelligent
handover algorithm (Location-Aided Handover, LAH). Since even the on-going specifications issued by
the telecom standardization bodies seem not able to respond to handover shortcomings we regard this
as promising enough to give rise to in-depth study on a location-aided handover algorithm.

I. Introduction
The work presented in this paper is based on an in-depth study performed by the authors after
evaluating handover algorithms in cellular networks. This data has lead to conclusions about
the current problems and the necessity of using new more capable algorithms. Subsequently
proposal for a new Location-Aided Handover algorithm is evaluated and presented in the
following sections. This paper is organized as follows: Section II describes the existing
handover procedure in cellular networks. Moreover current statistical data are presented in
order to realize the current situation and the need of optimization of handover procedure.
Emphasis has been given therefore to the limitations and problems of the current handover
procedure. Section III includes the description of the proposed Handover Procedure, based on
the location data. The benefits of the new algorithm are presented, as well as the two cases,
where it can be used. This section also presents the logical flow-chart of the LAH concept.
Section IV describes the simulative study that will be carried out, in order to prove the value
of the new algorithm. Furthermore, the necessary data are presented as well as the different
modules of the simulator. The future outcome of the new algorithm is also presented, which is
crosschecked and compared with existing handover statistics. Finally, conclusions as well as
acknowledgement to a European project that deals with the Location Aided Handover
algorithm complete this paper.

II. Handover procedure in cellular networks

Handover is the mechanism that transfers an ongoing call from one cell to another as a user
moves through the coverage area of a cellular system. The number of cell boundary crossings
increases because smaller cells are deployed in order to meet the demands for increased
capacity. If we minimize the expected number of handovers the switching load minimizes as
well, because each handover requires network resources to reroute the call to the new base
station. In GSM, measurement reports, which are transmitted periodically from MS to BS on
the SACCH assigned to each communication, are available for each connection. The
repetition duration of the SACCH produces a fixed time grid of 480 ms in which the
measurement reports occur. In Figure 1 the measured RXLEVs from the serving BTS and
from a neighbor one (NC1), according to the measurement reports submitted during a call, are
shown. The horizontal axis represents the number of measurement reports. Obviously the
handover procedure consider a set of parameters in such a way to avoid shortcomings. On the
other hand, it is not possible to have a safe handover execution in cases like the one shown in
Figure 1, since the location and direction of user as well as the area characteristics are not
known. In many cases the execution takes place and after a couple of measurement reports the
handover procedure is triggered again.

Figure 1. Field strength measurements during a handover procedure

There are several different reasons for a handover. Each mobile terminal attempts to use the
radio channel that will provide the best connection quality, i.e., the best C/I (carrier-to-
interference ratio). Co-channel interference is unavoidable because of multiple use of the
same time and frequency channels due to existing cell layouts, and consequently quality can
be poor (i.e., bit-error ratio high) despite a high signal level. The connection of a mobile
terminal to the base stations can be the cause of interference to other mobile stations, even if
it is a high-quality one. The interference can be minimized if the interfered station changes to
a different radio channel. It is also possible for mobile users to have the same good receive
quality from more than one cell. The service quality of the network can then be optimized if
mobile users are equally distributed over the available cells. The following pie-chart
summarizes the handover causes, showing the percentage of the different reasons for
handover:

Figure 2. Handover Causes

In order to measure the handover performance in a cellular network several counters are used.
As far as the procedure is concerned, each counter is triggered when a Handover Required
message, containing the respective cause, is routed from the BSC to the MSC (inter-BSC
handover). When the handover is internal (intra-cell or inter-cell, intra-BSC handover), the
procedure (decision and execution, respective cause counted) is undertaken by the responsible
BSC and the MSC is informed by a Handover Performed message.
An in-depth statistical evaluation shows that, there are several shortcomings in the normal
handover procedure. The major ones are the following:
– High failure of handovers, due to an insufficient planning in certain areas.
– “Far-away-cell”, where subscribers are served from a BTS that is far away from the cell
where the user is located
– “Ping-pong” effect, the repeated handover between two base stations caused by rapid
fluctuations in the received signal strengths from both base stations.
– Unnecessary handover often leads to increased signaling traffic, which can result in
traffic congestion in the call-setup procedure of other subscribers intending to set up calls.
All this statistical data prove that the current handover procedure in GSM networks is not
optimized. As a result, the necessity for creation of a new handover algorithm is obvious.

III. Location Aided Handover

III.I. Location Aided Handover Algorithm Description
Location-Aided Handover (LAH) Algorithm is actually a set of algorithms, which aims to
solve the current handover procedure problems. The set of algorithms include current
handover algorithm, fuzzy handover, handover algorithm based on the use of adaptive
antennas, handover prioritization algorithm, etc. LAH is based on the CELLO Architecture,
which is shown below:

MGIS

LS

BSC MSC

Figure 3. CELLO Architecture

This figure clearly shows that the LAH algorithm exploits information both from Location
Server (LS) and the Mobile network Geographic Information System (MGIS) so as to make
the decision of the most appropriate target base station for handover. The LAH Algorithm
will as a whole identify critical areas, monitor user movement and take intelligent handover
decisions, in order to prevent different network shortcomings related to handover procedure.
Concerning the use of high data-rate services at mobile terminals it will be essential that the
network is able to predict the target cell for handover well in advance in order to reserve the
required resources. This kind of mechanism will be enabled by LAH, and consequently, the
concept is extremely attractive for UMTS. [Lah01]
The handover performance is improved in two ways. First, the MGIS data can be used for the
neighbor cell planning. By analyzing the MGIS data it is possible to detect areas where the
handover success rate is low. In these areas the adjacent cell assignment may not be optimal.
Moreover, it is possible to use the mobile phone location capability, in other words we can
make use of the Location Server (LS), to aid the actual handover algorithm. This is a clear
advantage over the existing solutions, which are based only on the signal level observations.
For example, the handover could be delayed if the mobile would be detected as moving along
the border region of two cells. This way the "ping-pong effect" can be avoided. Also, if there
are several neighbors to choose for target cell, the information of location may help to make
the optimal choice. Another example is the special "far-away cell" problem, which has been
observed in hilly areas by a lot of mobile operators. The mobile may be connected with a far-
away umbrella cell and the other cells close to the mobile are not allocated as neighbors to the
connected cell. In this case the location information could be used to determine the correct
target cell for handover avoiding the restrictions of the neighbor assignments.
Since handover is one of the major parameters that usually influence the stability of a cellular
network, the maintenance of accurate location-related information in the MGIS can lead to a
more effective adjustment of the handover parameters and the algorithm itself. As a result,
some working assumptions on the available location accuracy will have to be made. These
assumptions will be established based on a location techniques evaluation. Standard methods,
such as the E-OTD, TOA and GPS-assisted will be considered. Also techniques not yet under
standardization, such as the database correlation method will be investigated.
The major benefits from the above described use of the MGIS data for efficient handover
procedures are to decrease signaling traffic, avoid drop calls, increase speech quality, solve
several planning shortcomings and enable seamless handovers for high data-rate users in
UMTS by providing a mechanism for resource allocation in the target cell.

III.II. System Architecture

Taking into account the algorithm, which has been described in the previous section, we have
designed a LAH logical diagram, based on a general cellular handover architecture. The
flowchart in Figure 4 is a general description of the procedures that have to be taken into
account for combining the location information with the handover measurements to avoid the
undesirable effects of current algorithm. For the study and enhancement of the handover
performance, simulation tools will be used and implemented.

get area info

Initialize area/simulator

MGIS

Define critical areas

WAIT for HO

Ping pong YES

HO decision
detection ?
Check user's location

Area around the user /

LS
user's direction
far-away-cell YES
HO decision
detection ?

Lock user

Figure 4. Location-Aided Handover Logical Diagram

Initially critical areas are identified, based on the values of the MGIS. In case the LS is
capable to provide accurate positioning of all users, then the LAH algorithms will be triggered
either if the user enters a critical pre-defined area, or if the measurement report shows lack of
coverage. In case of a less capable LS, the LAH algorithms will be triggered when thresholds
are reached. In that case the user will be localized “on demand”, in a way to get information
about the user’s movement direction and speed. The combination of this information with the
area characteristics from the MGIS (drop-call rate, handover statistics, etc) can lead to safe
and intelligent handover executions, decreasing the handover failure probability and the
signaling traffic. [Kyr1, Kyr2]
IV. Simulative Study
IV.I. Description of the Simulator
The development of the simulator that will be implemented can be classified in two phases.
The first phase is the development of a simulator, capable for the investigation of the typical
handover procedure. The second phase will include the implementation of the LAH algorithm
that will consider the location of the user. Simulations that will be carried out during phase
two should show the increased network stability that results from the enhanced handover
algorithm. The simulation can also include the Location Update procedure, which increases
the signaling overhead significantly. There are two simulation scenarios, according to the
location server that will be used:
(i) Very fast and accurate positioning systems for positioning all users
(ii) Positioning systems with less computational capabilities
In case of (i) we can make use of the information from the location server (LS) without any
problems. In case of (ii) either we should assume an “on-demand” tracing of the user or use of
MGIS stored data for enhancement of HO-performance. Since MGIS has information about
the network performance, e.g. call-drop rate, by initializing the network maps it is possible to
define critical areas. The critical areas will be the places where the call drop rate is higher
than normal and around the borders of each cell, i.e. the places, where the handover procedure
is initiated.
We imagine LAH also as an abstract element that performs management based on the
position of the user. This can be evaluation of monitoring information or LS-data.
This scenario can be described from the following data:
• Simulated area
• Propagation model
• Area description
• HO reasons: RXLEV, power budget, RXQUAL
• BTS parameters: Cell ID, LAC, BCCH frequency (ARFCN), BSIC, Cell reselection
hysteresis, HO threshold (RXLEV, RXQUAL), adjacent cells
A very important procedure for simulations is the measurement report. The measurement
report is normally submitted over SACCH channel. By counting the number of reports we can
make statistics about the traffic congestion. For simulation environment, prediction maps can
be later used during the simulation, which are based on real morphological data.
The primary concept, which has to be implemented and will act as a primary layer for all the
other modules in the project, is the simulated space of radio coverage. It will host the BTSs
and will allow us tracking down users, while they move around. Graphical display capabilities
will be also available for the visualization of the LAH algorithm. After representing the space
and initializing the position of a called or calling terminal, we must use a model of mobility,
according to the environment, together with an appropriate traffic model. These models will
show how the user is moving, duration and start point of calls, etc. By having knowledge of
the starting position of the user and the way that he is going to move, we could avoid extra
handover requests, especially in situations of moving by the cell’s border (ping-pong
problem). Figure 5 shows a first impression of the simulator’s structure:

Figure 5. Simulator’s structure

The work described in this paper proves that network parameters, coming from position
location of mobile terminal will play a significant role for the improvement of the handover
procedure. The LAH Algorithm will show the importance of MGIS & LS for the handover
improvement. From this study we expect to observe increased network stability, decreased
signaling traffic and additionally redundant handovers will be avoided. This will result in an
optimized network in terms of mobility management.

V. Conclusions
In this paper we deal with the issue of the enhancement of handover performance in cellular
systems based on position location of mobile terminals. We analyze the handover mechanism
importance, the current mishap and we present real network data and statistics. Based on this
analysis, we are currently implementing a new location-based handover algorithm, which can
result in an optimized and stable cellular network. This LAH algorithm will be available as a
simulator implementation during the project. The commercialization of the algorithm involves
implementation in the MSC and other mobile network components. However, the first
indications of our study lead us to the conclusion that intelligent handover will minimize
signaling overhead and system errors related to trivial handover decisions, increasing user
satisfaction.

Acknowledgement
This work has been performed in the framework of the project IST CELLO, which is partly
funded by the European Community. The Author(s) would like to acknowledge the
contributions of their colleagues from VTT Information Technology, Cosmote Mobile
Telecommunications S. A., Center for PersonKommunikation, Elisa Communications
Corporation, Motorola S.p.A, Institute of Communication and Computer Systems / National
Technical University of Athens, Teleplan AS.

References
[Wal99] B. Walke, “Mobile Radio Networks Networking and Protocols”, Wiley 1999
[Anag94] M. E. Anagnostou and G. C. Manos, "Handover Related Performance of Mobile
Communication Networks," Proc. Vehicular Tech. Conf. '94, Stockholm, Sweden,
June 8p;10, 1994, pp. 111p;14.
[Pol93] G. P. Pollini, "A Catalog of Handover Algorithms for the Cellular Packet Switch,"
WINLAB Tech. Rep. TR-48, Rutgers, Jan. 1993.
[Lyb94] G. L. Lyberopoulos, J. G. Markoulidakis, and M. E. Anagnostou, "The Impact of
Evolutionary Cell Architectures on Handover in Future Mobile Telecommunication
Systems," Proc. Vehicular Tech. Conf. '94, Stockholm, Sweden, June 8p;10, 1994,
pp. 120p;24.
[Mark99] J. Markoulidakis, J. Dermitzakis, G. Lyberopoulos, M. Theologou, “Handover
Prioritised Schemes for Optimal Capacity and Overload Management in Cellular
Mobile Systems”, VTC 1999 Fall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
[Lah01] J. Lahteenmaki, S. Kyriazakos, P. Fournogerakis “ Using Mobile Location
Techniques for Network Planning and Handover Optimization", 3G Infrastructures
and Services 2001, July 2001, Athens, Greece
[Kyr1] S. Kyriazakos, D.Drakoulis, G. Karetsos “ Optimization of the Handover Algorithm
based on the Position Location of the Mobile Terminals", IEEE-Benelux VTC,
October 2000, Leuven, Belgium
[Kyr2] S. Kyriazakos, D.Drakoulis, G. Karetsos “ Intelligent Handover Algorithm for
Increasing Stability in Cellular Networks Based on the Position of the Mobile
Terminals ", IST Mobile Summit, October 2000, Galway, Ireland