Lecture 4

Channel Assignment Strategies Handoff Strategies

Channel Assignment Strategies

For efficient utilization of the radio spectrum, a frequency reuse scheme should increase the capacity and minimize the level of interference.

FCC Requirements and Provisions

1. Class of use for a particular portion of the frequency spectrum (Frequency Allocation) 2. Rules governing technical characteristics (e.g., channelization, power levels, modulation, coding techniques, etc) 3. Who may use the limited spectrum available (Frequency Assignment)

Channel assignment strategies may be classified as

1. Fixed Assignment 2. Flexible Assignment
3. Dynamic Assignment

Channel Assignment Strategies

Fixed Flexible

Dynamic

Basic Fixed Simple Borrowing

Call-by-Call Optimized
Borrowing with Ordering

Scheduled Hybrid

Predictive

 Fixed Channel Assignment Strategies

Each cell is allocated a predetermined set of voice channels. Any call attempts within the cell can only be served by unused channels. If all the channels in that cell are occupied, the call is blocked and the subscriber does not receive service. When all permanent channels of a cell are busy, a channel may be borrowed from neighboring cell provided that this does not interfere with existing calls. When borrowing occurs, the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) supervises the borrowing process. Disadvantages of Fixed Assignment: 1. Requires strict frequency planning. 2. Trunking Efficiency Loss Let h = percentage efficiency loss A1 = traffic load served by a single operator with B channels AN = traffic load served by N operators with B/N channels each Then A AN h ( % ) = 100 1 A1 - multiple providers utilize fragmented spectrum instead of sharing common allocation. - same quality of service expected for each operator. 3. Inefficient Spectrum Utilization In particular, if providers have unequal market shares. - Low market shares less efficient use of spectrum - Large market shares invest in more base stations to increase frequency reuse/capacity.

Dynamic Channel Assignment Strategies

Cells have no channels to themselves. All calls are referred to the MSC, which manages all channel assignment in the region. MSC decides, on a call-by-call basis, which channel to assign to which call attempt. MSC collects real-time data on channel occupancy, traffic distribution, and radio signal strength indications of all channels on a continuous basis. Advantages of Dynamic Channel Assignment: 1. No trunking efficiency loss 2. Average Case Interference Scenario FCA requires worst case scenario considerations while DCA allows channel reuse ratio relying on average cochannel interference. Therefore, DCA allows lower margins for lognormal shadowing.

3. Adaptive Bandwidth Sharing In dynamic multi-operator environment, DCA allows usage of channel proportional to each operators market share. 4. Eliminates frequency planning. DCA is therefore more suitable for microcellular systems. 5. Compatible with open access. DCA improves resource management and self-planning within a given operators network. 6. DCA is incorporated in 2nd generation digital cordless and cellular standards. e.g., DAMPS

Flexible Channel Assignment Strategies

Combines aspects of both fixed and dynamic strategies. Requires MSC to collect data about the traffic patterns in its area and other network directed criteria in order to manage its set of flexible channels efficiently.

Handoff Strategies
Handoff is the process used to maintain a call in progress in a cellular system as the mobile moves between cells. (Refer to Fig. 3.3) Parameters used to determine handoff Received signal strength

Signal-to-interference-ratio (in practice S + I is easier to measure than Distance Bit error rate (BER) Traffic load Resource management need (e.g., forced handoff)

S ) I

Handoff is generally needed in two situations: Mobile user at cell boundary Mobile user reaching a signal strength gap. Handoff Threshold is set at a point the power received from the BS has started to exceed the current BS by a certain amount and/or from a certain time. Receiver Threshold is the point at which the received power at the BS is at a minimum acceptable level. Prioritizing Handoff From the mobile users point of view, forced termination of ongoing call is less desirable than blocking a new call attempt. Therefore, handoff requests are prioritized in two ways: 1. The Guard Channel Concept - Some channels in the cell are reserved exclusively for handoff of ongoing calls. - This reduces the total traffic since fewer channels available for originating new calls. 2. Queuing of Handoff Requests This may incur delay large enough to cause forced termination of call. Steps Involved in Handoff Process: 1. Initialization the mobile unit or network identifies the need for a handoff and alerts the necessary network elements. 2. Resource Allocation the appropriate network element reserve resources necessary to support the handoff. 3. Execution actual handoff connection of the network resources takes place. 4. Completion any unneeded network resources are freed and access signals are exchanged following a successful handoff. Some Practical Issues Involved with Handoff: Integration of high speed/low speed users. Umbrella Cell provides larger coverage area to high speed users and small coverage area to low speed users. (refer to Fig. 3.4)

Cell Dragging pedestrian (very low speed) user transmitting a strong signal near a base station and moves away very slowly.

Classification of handoff: 1. Soft versus Hard Handoff Soft handoff Mobile connected to two or more base stations are simultaneously (base station diversity) - no interruption of communication - make before break

Hard handoff - communication is terminated before handoff - break before make

2. Horizontal versus Vertical Handoff

Horizontal Handoff A horizontal handoff is a handoff between two network access points that use the same network technology and interface. For example, when a mobile device moves in and out of various 802.11b network domains, the handoff activities would be considered as a horizontal handoff, since the connection is disrupted solely by device mobility. e.g. Cellular-to-Cellular handoff WiFi-toWiFi Handoff WLAN-to-WLAN Handoff

Vertical handoff A vertical handoff is a handoff between two network access points, which are usually using different network connection technologies. For example, when a mobile device moves out an 802.11b network into a GPRS network, the handoff would be considered a vertical handoff. e.g. WiFi-to-Cellular Handoff WLAN-to-WIFI Handoff

In 3G heterogeneous overlay networks, both horizontal and vertical handoff are used to maintain user connectivity.