The cross layer RMPA handover: a reliable mobility pattern aware handover strategy for broadband wireless communication in a high-speed railway domain

Abstract

The cross layer RMPA handover: a reliable mobility pattern aware handover strategy for broadband wireless communication in a high-speed railway domain AbstractEnhancing the handover process in broadband wireless communication deployment has traditionally motivated many research initiatives. In a high-speed railway domain, the challenge is even greater. Owing to the long distances covered, the mobile node gets involved in a compulsory sequence of handover processes. Consequently, poor performance during the execution of these handover processes significantly degrades the global end-to-end performance. This article proposes a new handover strategy for the railway domain: the RMPA handover, a Reliable Mobility Pattern Aware IEEE 802.16 handover strategy "customized" for a high-speed mobility scenario. The stringent high mobility feature is balanced with three other positive features in a high-speed context: mobility pattern awareness, different sources for location discovery techniques, and a previously known traffic data profile. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no IEEE 802.16 handover scheme that simultaneously covers the optimization of the handover process itself and the efficient timing of the handover process. Our strategy covers both areas of research while providing a cost-effective and standards-based solution. To schedule the handover process efficiently, the RMPA strategy makes use of a context aware handover policy; that is, a handover policy based on the mobile node mobility pattern, the time required to perform the handover, the neighboring network conditions, the data traffic profile, the received power signal, and current location and speed information of the train. Our proposal merges all these variables in a cross layer interaction in the handover policy engine. It also enhances the handover process itself by establishing the values for the set of handover configuration parameters and mechanisms of the handover process. RMPA is a cost-effective strategy because compatibility with standards-based equipment is guaranteed. The major contributions of the RMPA handover are in areas that have been left open to the handover designer's discretion. Our simulation analysis validates the RMPA handover decision rules and design choices. Our results supporting a high-demand video application in the uplink stream show a significant improvement in the end-to-end quality of service parameters, including end-to-end delay (22%) and jitter (80%), when compared with a policy based on signal-to-noise-ratio information.

Evaluating TCMS Train-to-Ground Communication Performances Based on the LTE Technology and Discreet Event Simulations

“…Several research works, in the literature, deal with field tests considering LTE signal. Several authors have also considered discrete-event simulator such as Riverbed and have evaluated performances of LTE-based train-to-ground communication in the context of Control and command with a dedicated LTE network that replace a GSM-R one or CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) [9][10][11].…”

A survey on high-speed railway communications: A radio resource management perspective

“…When the train enters a predefined handover zone between two segments, the handover procedure can be automatically started. In [89], the triggering condition of handover is adaptively decided according to the train's speed and position, when the train enters the coverage area of the target BS. To improve handover success probability, the mobile device can trigger handover earlier if the train moves at a high speed.…”

“…Finally, in location-aware handover schemes [87][88][89][90][91], the handover process is facilitated with the help of train location information. The basic idea in [88] is to divide the railways into several segments.…”

High‐speed based adaptive beamforming handover scheme in LTE‐R

“…Some scholars consider optimising the handover scheme based on the geographical location information. In [20], when the train entered the coverage area of the target eNodeB, the handover trigger condition was adaptively determined according to the speed of the train. The target eNodeB could trigger the handover in advance if the train moved at a high speed.…”