Handoff in cellular systems

Abstract

Handoff is an essential element of cellular communications. Efficient handoff algorithms are a cost-effective way of enhancing the capacity and QoS of cellular systems. This article presents different aspects of handoff and discusses handoff related features of cellular systems. Several system deployment scenarios that dictate specific handoff requirements are illustrated. An account of handoff-related resource management tasks of cellular systems is given. Implementation of the handoff process is explained. Several mechanisms for evaluation of handoff-related system performance are described.