Analysis of Handover Process

in Long Term Evolution (LTE)

Uke Kurniawan Usman
Fakultas Elektro Dan Komunikasi Institut Teknologi Telkom
Jl. Telekomunikasi, Dayeuh Kolot Bandung 40257 Indonesia
E-mail: uku@ittelkom.ac.id
Abstract - Handover is an important process in the
process of moving voice communications traffic
channels where there is a shift from one frequency to
frequency lainnya.Handover require parameters to
maintain the quality of voice communication.
Observation is to make an example at LTE handover
model. Handover margin analysis using the parameters
Handover Margin (HOM) and Time to Trigger (TTT)
through the simulation software MATLAB R2009a. The
results obtained from the minimum value RSRP
eNodeB 1 a constant that is the condition -96.236 dBm,
if given the same speed. TTT best value in condition
RSRP =
- 98 dB, because in these conditions has a
value of TTT fastest and maximal velocity point is on
the condition of 464 km/hr and the value of -60 and 660
is the limit of coverage area of eNodeB in the form of
hexagonal cells.
Keywords: LTE, Handover, Time to Trigger (TTT),
Handover Margin (HOM)

I.

INTRODUCTION

Long Term Evolusion (LTE) is a name given to a

project of the Third Generation Partnership Project
(3GPP) to improve mobile phone standard 3rd
generation (3G) UMTS is WCDMA. LTE is a
development of previous technology, the UMTS (3G)
and HSPA (3.5G) which is referred to as LTE 4th
generation (4G). In LTE, the function of Node B and
RNC contained in UMTS merged into one, called
ENB (Evolved Node B) that function as the handover
control center, as shown in Figure 1 below:

system using the LTE handover algorithm in some

specific parameters to obtain improved performance.
Parameters used in this study include Time to
Trigger (TTT) and Handover Margin (HOM). HOM
is usually measured in decibels and is defined as the
minimum received power or quality of the candidate
cell and the serving cell is required for triggering
handover. TTT is usually measured in seconds and is
defined as the minimum time that must be met HOM
conditions of handover to be the trigger. In this
project we will address several types of Handover
process that occurs in LTE system with the purpose
of viewing the event of a Handover using the
parameters of TTT and HOM.

II. HANDOVER
Handover is the process of automatically redirects
traffic channels on the MS that is being used to
communicate without termination of the connection.
handover decision is made by the BSC, by evaluating
the permanent measures taken by the BTS and MS.
Measurement average by BSC compared with
threshold values (threshold); if Px exceeds the
threshold value then handover process starts by
finding a suitable target cell. Handover occurs
because of the quality or power ratio falls below the
value specified in the BSC. Decrease in the signal
level is detected from the measurements made MS
and BTS. Consequently handover directed to a cell
with a larger signal. In addition, the handover may
occur if traffic from the targeted cell is full. When the
MS pass through the cell, it transferred to the
'neighbouring cell' traffic with a smaller load. The
handover process shown in Figure 2 below:

Figure 1. Arsitektur Core LTE

The problem is to create a simulation of the
process of handover in a mobile communication

Figure 2. Handover Process

III. HANDOVER PROCESS

Mobile Station (MS) moves away from a cell then
the power received by the MS will be reduced. If the
MS moves further away from the Base Station (Cell),
the transmit power will decrease. The farther it gets
from the origin BTS, the closer it gets to the next
BTS. Other cell is said to be a candidate cell is the
cell that will accept transfer of MS from the orihin
cell. MSC via candidate Cell will monitor the
movement of MS and capture the MS transmit power.
Among the candidates who received the cell transmit
power of MS, the MS who received the biggest cell
transmit will get the transfer. Cell candidate who
received the delegation of MS will do the monitoring.
Monitoring process conducted by the MSC and
instruct the candidate; its current cell Handover,
supervision shortened. MSC takes precedence
occupation of the canal which will run on MS
Handover. Cell candidates made the order of priority.

mobile station as a base station transmitter. HOM

also be defined as a standard parameter, which is set
at the point where the signal strength of neighboring
cells (B) has started to exceed the signal strength of
the current cell (A) with a certain amount and / or
during a certain time.

V. HANDOVER PROCESS

The model used in this study as shown in Figure 3

below:
Hexagonal Cell
ENodeB 1
EnodeB 2

IV. HANDOVER PARAMETERS

The parameters required for the handover process
to takes place are:

User Movement

1. Time to Trigger (TTT), is defined as the minimum

conditions that must be met for HOM handover, or
can be regarded as the trigger time. TTT is adjusted
based on the quality of the signal that the receiver
feel about the area. For example, the lower the value
of the first signal quality at the same time the value of
a second signal quality is greater than the Upper
Threshold.

The scenario in this system are: first of all MS are

in a position of ENodeB 1 cells. In these conditions
the MS will perform the movement of cells towards
ENode B 2, the distance of movement is determine
whether the level of power possessed by ENodeB MS
2 can be accepted or not, if the power level
transmitted by the MS can only be read by ENodeB 1
then the process of handover will not occur, but if the
movement of MS (in this case the distance) closer or
even in cell ENodeB 2 and MS transmit power level
that can be accepted by ENodeB 2 there will be
handover process, At this point the process of
submitting the original MS in the cell coverage area
ENodeB 1, now in the coverage area ENodeB 2.
Handover process is clearly visible when the MS is
between cell 1 and cell 2 or on the border line of both
the cell coverage area, when this happens, it will
display the parameters of the HOM and TTT
handover. Where the value is owned decibel HOM
will change when you receive a response from the
movement of MS, so does the value of TTT per unit
time will also change every change of movements
performed by MS, input parameters are shown in this
simulation include: changes in angle, speed, distance
and value RSRP. Where any changes indicated by the
four input parameters will results in changes in the
value of HOM and TTT in the process of handover.

2. Early HO Triggering, Early Handover can be

triggered when the user enters the coverage area of
another cell that is contained in the coverage area of
the serving cell. This is a typical scenario for the area
where the cells are attached to the fragmented
coverage of radio propagation environment, such as
dense urban areas.
3. Late HO Triggering, If the user mobility faster
than the possible HO parameter settings, the
submission can be triggered when the signal strength
of the source cell is too low leads to a RLF (Radio
Link Failures).
1. RLF is in the origin cell before Ho started or
during HO procedure
2. User reassign a different cell from the source.
4. HOM (Handover Margin), HOM is a parameter
that controls the areas of soft handover. Station
moves periodically selecting one active base station
that has a minimum instantaneous attenuation to the

Figure 3. Simulation Scenarios

VI. ALGORITHM HANDOVER PROCESS

VII. ENODE DEVICE CALCULATUION in LTE

Calculation of the eNodeB and the MS will
produce the MAPL (Maximum Allowable Path Loss)
which is the maximum attenuation requirements of
the track and determine the feasibility of link
propagation. Determination MAPL link on the
'reverse and forward' direction derived from technical
data of the devices used with the following formula:

Figure 4. Algorithm Handover Process

The process starts when the system detects that
there is a power level in the process, and then power
level measurements will occur and the report from
MS to ENode B, so EnodeB detects that the reception
power level reporting occurred. If in the process there
are two levels of power and the presence of
differentiation, the process will continue to review
the parameters, if there is only 1 power level, the
process will stopped at that point. The first parameter
is TTT, where this parameter has a responsibility to
see to the second signal delay, if it found to be the
best signal then go to the next parameter, if it can not
get the best signal then goes back to the process
(Level Power Measurement).
After completion of the first parameter, the
system will continue the process to the next
parameter, namely HOM parameter, this parameter
serves to see the margin in the HO. If the margin is
greater than the power level, then the HO will stop
and return to the (TTT). But if the margin is less than
equal to the value of power level, then the system
will display a confirmation report that HO succeed. If
there is report, then the system will display the
visualization process of HO. In the simulated system
is seen that the response of HOM and TTT looks very
fast and simultaneously, this happens because the
process occurs in Long Term Evolution.

Tabel 1. LTE Parameters

Parameter
LTE
1024
Data rate
(kbps)
Transmitter eNode B
46
Tx Power
(dbm)
18
Tx Antenna
Gain (dBi)
2
Cable Loss
(dB)
62
EIRP (dBm)
Receiver UE
7
UE Noise
Figure (dB)
-104.5
Thermal Noise
(dB)
-97.5
Receiver Noise
Floor (dBm)
-9
SINR (dB)
-106.5
Receiver
Sensitivity (dBm)
4
Interference
Margin (dB)
20
Control
Channel Overhead (%)
0
Rx Antenna
Gain (dBi)
0
Body Loss
(dB)
163.5
Maximum
Path Loss
a.Cell radius
After MAPL reverse direction and forward direction
is obtained, then the cell radius can be determined
based on the ability of the device that uses a
propagation model cost 231 as follows:
- Frequency Down Link = 2620 - 2625 MHz,
Effective Height of Antenna eNode B (hT) = 30 m
- UE Antenna Height (hR) =1,5 m, Dense urban
Area

b.Cell Radius for Dense Urban

Appropriate propagation model cost 231 cell
radius can be obtained by MAPL direction DL is as
follows:
Rkm=Log-1
[

Where a (HR) is a UE antenna height correction

factor for dense urban areas (metropolitan city):
dB
VII.

RSRP MINIMUN ANALYSIS

Parameters used in the process of handover in

LTE network is a Reference Signal Received Power
(RSRP). The EU will monitor and filter the RSRP of
the second cell is detected. When the following
conditions apply, then it will be given time to trigger
handover. The EU will send a report to the eNodeB
measurements are questioned.
At the RSRP (decibel) established by the standard
LTE shows that RSRP values ranged between (-98) (-103) db. By setting the speed and angle of
movement EU then we will get the value of HOM
(Handover Margin) and TTT (Time to Trigger) . It
was found that the value will be at their best TTT
RSRP = -98 db. So that this condition will be a
reference to analyze the influence of speed and angle
of the HOM and TTT on the condition of the RSRP =
-98 db.
IX. CONCLUTION
From the analysis and simulation parameters
handover in a mobile communication system of the
Long Term Evolution (LTE) that has been done, it
can be concluded as follows:
1. TTT's best value in condition RSRP = -98 db, this
is because in these conditions has a value in the
simulation of the fastest TTT RSRP minimum so
that this condition will be a reference to analyze
the influence of speed and angle of the HOM and
TTT.
2. The point of maximum velocity' is 464 km / h, if
the user was in this condition it could lead to
handover failure.
3. In the analysis of the influence of the change
point, the value of -60 and 660 is the limit on the
coverage area of ENodeB hexagonal cell shape.
4. RSRP minimum value of ENodeB 1 is always
constant: that is, when conditions -96.236 dbm if
given the same speed, this indicates that the value
is the value of the minimum power level that can
be reached by a ENodeB.
5. In the analysis of the influence of the change
point was also found that the closer the angle of

arrival, the greater the value of user generated

HOM until it reached its peak when the user is
close to the target ENodeB and closer to the
center point ENodeB 2 then, the greater the value
of TTT.
6. In the analysis, RSRP, HOM and TTT, on the
corner of 300 hexagonal cells, is an ideal angle of
arrival in ENodeB target user. value of -60 and
660 is the limit of coverage area of ENodeB

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