Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities

The seamless handover of mobile devices is critical for maximizing the potential of smart city applications, which demand uninterrupted connectivity, ultra-low latency, and performance in diverse environments. Fifth-generation (5G) and beyond-5G networks offer advancements in massive connectivity an...

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Main Authors: Yahya S. Junejo, Faisal K. Shaikh, Bhawani S. Chowdhry, Waleed Ejaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Computers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/1/23
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author Yahya S. Junejo
Faisal K. Shaikh
Bhawani S. Chowdhry
Waleed Ejaz
author_facet Yahya S. Junejo
Faisal K. Shaikh
Bhawani S. Chowdhry
Waleed Ejaz
author_sort Yahya S. Junejo
collection DOAJ
description The seamless handover of mobile devices is critical for maximizing the potential of smart city applications, which demand uninterrupted connectivity, ultra-low latency, and performance in diverse environments. Fifth-generation (5G) and beyond-5G networks offer advancements in massive connectivity and ultra-low latency by leveraging advanced technologies like millimeter wave, massive machine-type communication, non-orthogonal multiple access, and beam forming. However, challenges persist in ensuring smooth handovers in dense deployments, especially in higher frequency bands and with increased user mobility. This paper presents an adaptive handover management scheme that utilizes reinforcement learning to optimize handover decisions in dynamic environments. The system selects the best target cell from the available neighbor cell list by predicting key performance indicators, such as reference signal received power and the signal–interference–noise ratio, while considering the fixed time-to-trigger and hysteresis margin values. It dynamically adjusts handover thresholds by incorporating an offset based on real-time network conditions and user mobility patterns. This adaptive approach minimizes handover failures and the ping-pong effect. Compared to the baseline LIM2 model, the proposed system demonstrates a 15% improvement in handover success rate, a 3% improvement in user throughput, and an approximately 6 sec reduction in the latency at 200 km/h speed in high-mobility scenarios.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2073-431X
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spelling doaj-art-8ac04b6556494583826f521b1f96e56d2025-01-24T13:27:54ZengMDPI AGComputers2073-431X2025-01-011412310.3390/computers14010023Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart CitiesYahya S. Junejo0Faisal K. Shaikh1Bhawani S. Chowdhry2Waleed Ejaz3Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lakehead University, Barrie Campus, Barrie, ON L4M 3X9, CanadaDepartment of Telecommunication Engineering, Mehran Univerity of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, PakistanDepartment of Telecommunication Engineering, Mehran Univerity of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, PakistanDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lakehead University, Barrie Campus, Barrie, ON L4M 3X9, CanadaThe seamless handover of mobile devices is critical for maximizing the potential of smart city applications, which demand uninterrupted connectivity, ultra-low latency, and performance in diverse environments. Fifth-generation (5G) and beyond-5G networks offer advancements in massive connectivity and ultra-low latency by leveraging advanced technologies like millimeter wave, massive machine-type communication, non-orthogonal multiple access, and beam forming. However, challenges persist in ensuring smooth handovers in dense deployments, especially in higher frequency bands and with increased user mobility. This paper presents an adaptive handover management scheme that utilizes reinforcement learning to optimize handover decisions in dynamic environments. The system selects the best target cell from the available neighbor cell list by predicting key performance indicators, such as reference signal received power and the signal–interference–noise ratio, while considering the fixed time-to-trigger and hysteresis margin values. It dynamically adjusts handover thresholds by incorporating an offset based on real-time network conditions and user mobility patterns. This adaptive approach minimizes handover failures and the ping-pong effect. Compared to the baseline LIM2 model, the proposed system demonstrates a 15% improvement in handover success rate, a 3% improvement in user throughput, and an approximately 6 sec reduction in the latency at 200 km/h speed in high-mobility scenarios.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/1/235G-NRsmart citieshandover success ratetime-to-triggerhigh-speed mobilityadaptive handovers
spellingShingle Yahya S. Junejo
Faisal K. Shaikh
Bhawani S. Chowdhry
Waleed Ejaz
Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities
Computers
5G-NR
smart cities
handover success rate
time-to-trigger
high-speed mobility
adaptive handovers
title Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities
title_full Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities
title_fullStr Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities
title_full_unstemmed Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities
title_short Adaptive Handover Management in High-Mobility Networks for Smart Cities
title_sort adaptive handover management in high mobility networks for smart cities
topic 5G-NR
smart cities
handover success rate
time-to-trigger
high-speed mobility
adaptive handovers
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/1/23
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AT faisalkshaikh adaptivehandovermanagementinhighmobilitynetworksforsmartcities
AT bhawanischowdhry adaptivehandovermanagementinhighmobilitynetworksforsmartcities
AT waleedejaz adaptivehandovermanagementinhighmobilitynetworksforsmartcities