Handover

In the realm of cellular networks, handover stands as a crucial process, ensuring seamless connectivity for mobile devices in motion. Let's dive deeper into the world of handover and explore its pivotal role in telecommunications.

Understanding Handover in Cellular Networks 

Handover, also known as handoff, is a fundamental process in telecommunication and mobile communication systems. It facilitates the smooth transition of cellular transmission, whether voice or data, from one base station (cell site) to another, all while maintaining uninterrupted connectivity for mobile users. This dynamic process is essential for ensuring continuous communication sessions and uninterrupted data services for mobile devices, especially in scenarios where they are constantly on the move.

Exploring the Two Types of Handover 

1. Hard Handover

• Hard handover involves the release of the channel in the source cell before the channel in the target cell is engaged.

• In this type of handover, the connection to the source cell is terminated just before or simultaneously with the establishment of the connection to the target cell.

• Also referred to as "break before making" handover, hard handover ensures a swift transition between cells, albeit with a brief interruption in connectivity.

2. Soft Handover

• Soft handover differs from hard handover in that it allows the source cell to remain active and operate in parallel with the target cell for a period.

• During soft handover, the connection to the target cell is established before the connection to the source cell is terminated.

• This parallel connection between multiple cells enhances service quality, especially in areas with poor coverage, by providing redundancy and improving signal strength.

The Impact of Handover on Mobile Transmission 

Handover plays a vital role in optimizing mobile transmission, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient data sessions for users on the move. By facilitating swift transitions between base stations, handover minimizes disruptions in communication, enhances network reliability, and improves the overall user experience.

Samenvatting

In mobiele netwerken hebben basisstations een beperkt bereik, om connectiviteit te bereiken tussen mobiele toestellen - die meestal in beweging zijn - is handover noodzakelijk. Handover of hand off is een proces in telecommunicatie en mobiele communicatie waarbij cellulaire transmissie (spraak of data) wordt overgedragen van het ene basisstation (cell site) naar het andere zonder de connectiviteit met de cellulaire transmissie te verliezen. Handover is een kernelement bij de invoering van mobiele transmissie omdat het datasessies tot stand brengt of telefoongesprekken verbindt tussen mobiele apparaten die voortdurend in beweging zijn.

Er zijn twee soorten handover. Zachte handover en harde handover.

• Harde handover: een harde handover is een handover waarbij de kanaalbroncel wordt vrijgegeven voordat het kanaal in het doel wordt ingeschakeld. Bij dit type handover wordt de verbinding met de bron verbroken net voor of samen met wanneer de verbinding met het doel wordt gemaakt. Het wordt ook wel break before making handover genoemd.

• Soft handover: soft handover is een handover waarbij de broncel wordt behouden en enige tijd parallel met de doelcel werkt. In dit geval wordt de verbinding met de doelcel tot stand gebracht voordat de verbinding met de bron wordt verbroken. Soft handover maakt een parallelle verbinding tussen verschillende kanalen mogelijk om een betere dienstverlening te bieden. Het is zeer effectief in gebieden met een slechte dekking.

FAQs

• What is the significance of handover in cellular networks?

  Handover is essential in cellular networks as it enables uninterrupted connectivity for mobile devices in motion. By seamlessly transferring cellular transmission between base stations, handover ensures continuous communication sessions and uninterrupted data services for users on the move.

• What are the two types of handover in mobile communication?

  There are two types of handover: hard handover and soft handover. Hard handover involves the release of the channel in the source cell before engaging the channel in the target cell, while soft handover allows the source cell to remain active and operate in parallel with the target cell for a period.

• How does soft handover differ from hard handover?

  Soft handover differs from hard handover in that it maintains a parallel connection between the source and target cells for a period, whereas hard handover involves a brief interruption in connectivity as the connection shifts from the source cell to the target cell.

• What role does handover play in optimizing mobile transmission?

  Handover plays a crucial role in optimizing mobile transmission by minimizing disruptions in communication, enhancing network reliability, and improving the overall user experience. It ensures seamless transitions between base stations, enabling uninterrupted connectivity for users on the move