A Timer Based Handoff Algorithm for Multi-Cellular Systems

In this paper, we propose a timer based handoff algorithm for multi-cellular system. Conventional handoff algorithms use averaging method to minimize fluctuations of received signal strength at a Mobile Station (MS). Proposed timer based algorithm does not utilize averaging to avoid averaging delay. The algorithm provides better performance under dynamic propagation environment as averaging of signal strength is not done. Performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with a handover algorithm based on combined relative and absolute signal strength measurements (CSS) as well as with another local averaging and timer based algorithm (LAT). Average number of handoff and average handoff delay are considered as performance metrics. Effect of timer value on wrong cell handoff has also been studied.