A handover protocol for a mixed cell system

With finite radio spectrum allocation proposed for the third generation mobile system, an effective approach to achieve the provision of personal telecommunication services to the mass public is by the introduction of a mixed cell architecture. This implies that cells of different sizes would be overlaid and base stations with different transmit power levels would co-exist in close proximity. The ability to perform reliable handovers between base stations is of paramount importance. The author addresses the use of a flexible combined handover protocol which amalgamates the advantages of forward and backward handover procedures