Predictive and Core-Network Efficient RRC Signalling for Active State Handover in RANs With Control/Data Separation

Abstract

Frequent handovers (HOs) in dense small cell deployment scenarios could lead to a dramatic increase in signaling overhead. This suggests a paradigm shift toward a signaling conscious cellular architecture with intelligent mobility management. In this direction, a futuristic radio access network with a logical separation between control and data planes has been proposed in research community. It aims to overcome limitations of the conventional architecture by providing high data rate services under the umbrella of a coverage layer in a dual connection mode. This approach enables signaling efficient HO procedures since the control plane remains unchanged when the users move within the footprint of the same umbrella. Considering this configuration, we propose a core-network efficient radio resource control signaling scheme for active state HO and develop an analytical framework to evaluate its signaling load as a function of network density, user mobility, and session characteristics. In addition, we propose an intelligent HO prediction scheme with advance resource preparation in order to minimize the HO signaling latency. Numerical and simulation results show promising gains in terms of reduction in HO latency and signaling load as compared with conventional approaches.