Open AccessEfficient handover measurement technique for small‐cell networks using a virtual cell synchronization signal
Author(s) -
Pec Rothna,
Park Chang Hwan,
Cho Yong Soo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
wireless communications and mobile computing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.42
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1530-8677
pISSN - 1530-8669
DOI - 10.1002/wcm.2766
Subject(s) - enodeb , computer science , handover , synchronization (alternating current) , beamforming , overhead (engineering) , soft handover , computer network , real time computing , user equipment , signal (programming language) , microcell , base station , telecommunications , channel (broadcasting) , programming language , operating system
Abstract A small‐cell network (SCN) constructed by splitting a macro‐cell into numerous small cells using an active antenna array system is studied. A synchronization signal appropriate for the SCN, virtually generated by an eNodeB with 3D beamforming, is proposed for efficient handover in SCNs. The virtual cell synchronization signal (VCSS) carries a macro‐cell ID (MCID) and virtual‐cell ID (VCID) in a hierarchical manner, allowing us to distinguish between an intra‐cell handover (virtual cell handover within a cell without changing the serving eNodeB) and inter‐cell handover (virtual cell handovers across cells while changing the serving eNodeB) in SCNs. Using the signal metrics obtained by the VCSS, an efficient handover measurement technique is proposed which can significantly reduce the processing time and overhead by distinguishing between the intra‐cell/inter‐cell handovers. The performance of the proposed technique is evaluated by simulating two different deployment scenarios of LTE‐based SCN with 3D beamforming. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.