A Novel Handover Algorithm with Load Balancing for Next Generation HetNet

The demand for wireless resources is increasing at high pace. Heterogeneous networks (HetNets), i.e., network composed by base stations (BSs) with different coverage area, are useful solutions to cope with this increased demand. Previously, we proposed a handover (HO) algorithm based on users velocity, users place, users received power strength from BSs and traffic load of BSs. Due to difficulties in obtaining the information for users velocity and users position, in this paper, we improve our former research and propose an HO algorithm which is only based on received power strength and traffic load. In the first step of the HO algorithm, user equipments’ (UEs’) received power and its estimation are employed to determine the necessity of HO. This phase, i.e., HO necessity estimation phase (HONEP), helps reducing the unnecessary HOs and consequently save more energy. After HONEP, in the second step UEs select the new BS based on received power, received power estimation and average traffic load of BSs which is advertised through beacon signals. A game-theoretic sleep mode algorithm is executed parallel to HO algorithm in BSs. The performance of the new algorithm, such as system power consumption and BSs’ average traffic load is evaluated by means of computer simulation.