Evaluating Macrocell Microcell Handovers in LTE (4G)

Abstract

Fourth Generation (4G) systems are expected to operate the global mobile network coverage area. They provide various services for different user types and their requirements. Vertical handovers occur between two layers of cells when a user is switched from one layer to another. This research details the influence of network parameters on vertical handover performance in a cell. It is done using a MATLAB simulation considering a macrocell – microcell environment. We calculate different network performance parameters such as delay, handover dropping probability and channel utilization and compare them for macrocell and macrocell traffic. Our results show that the handover dropping probability can be maintained in acceptable levels by providing sufficient channel and queue requirements. They also show that the performance of each layer depends on the amount of traffic in each layer. If the two traffic types are treated with equal priority in the system, their performance is similar.