Fast handover algorithm for IEEE 802.16e broadband wireless access system

IEEE 802.16e wireless metropolitan area networks refers to the new standard for broadband wireless access (BWA), which targets to support wireless Internet service up to 2 Mbps. Existing draft version of standard proposes OFDM(A)-based handover process system, which consists of network topology acquisition, scanning, initial ranging, authorization, and registration. Since various researcher groups and companies have done each part of standardization work, there exist some unclear parts and redundant processes, especially in HO process. For instance, HO initiation timing is not clearly defined and unnecessary neighboring base station (BS) scanning and association are performed before and during HO process. These redundant processes causes a long HO operation time, which makes severe degradation in system performance. In this paper, fast HO algorithm is proposed to reduce HO operation delay. Target BS estimation algorithm using mean CINR and arrival time difference reduces unnecessary neighboring BS scanning. And some redundant work during network topology acquisition and scanning process is abbreviated as well. The performance analysis validates the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.