SDL-Simulation Tool for Advanced Handover Protocols

This paper discusses the need for joint link level and system level simulations for thirdgeneration mobile radio systems and points out a way of implementing them in SDL. The simulation of third-generation mobile radio interfaces is a particular challenge to computational power. Complex systems are needed to support the demands of ATM services and high data of rates up to 2 Mbit/s in the UMTS band. The physical influences of mobile radio channels on protocols have to be considered within the system level simulation for mobile radio systems, since channel allocation and handover protocols need physical parameters. One application of our simulation tool is the examination of a new approach for a advanced handover protocol. This handover protocol uses the direction of arrival estimation of adaptive antennas in combination with other mobile movement prediction methods to reserve capacity in the next predicted radio cell to reduce blocking rates and signalling.