Handover Control for WCDMA Femtocell Networks

Abstract: The ability to seamlessly switch between the macro networks and femtocell networks is a key driver for femtocell network deployment. The handover procedures for the integrated femtocell/macrocell networks differ from the existing handovers. Some modifications of existing network and protocol architecture for the integration of femtocell networks with the existing macrocell networks are also essential. These modifications change the signal flow for handover procedures due to different 2-tier cell (macrocell and femtocell) environment. The handover between two networks should be performed with minimum signaling. A frequent and unnecessary handover is another problem for hierarchical femtocell/macrocell network environment that must be minimized. This work studies the details mobility management schemes for small and medium scale femtocell network deployment. To do that, firstly we present two different network architectures for small scale and medium scale WCDMA femtocell deployment. The details handover call flow for these two network architectures and CAC scheme to minimize the unnecessary handovers are proposed for the integrated femtocell/macrocell networks. The numerical analysis for the proposed M/M/N/N queuing scheme and the simulation results of the proposed CAC scheme demonstrate the handover call control performances for femtocell environment.