5G Handover Analysis in Real Network

Handover (HO) is the key function to maintaining users’ connections while moving within the coverage of cellular communication networks. During the HO process, it is possible to decrease the data throughput and cause interruptions of time-critical services. In addition, the HO signal processes between the mobile phone and the mobile network increase energy consumption for both of them. These problems are even more complex in the 5G era because of the co-existence of macro- and micro-cell (ultra-dense small cells), and different deployment architectures, such as non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA). To investigate HO behaviors in real 5G networks, we collected a rich mobile signal dataset consisting of 2 sets of repeated driving trips under a 5G commercial NSA network in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Based on the dataset, we analyze and compare the HO sequential frequent patterns and the probability of the occurrence of ping-pong HO for the 2 driving routes. The results show the HO frequent patterns with high support can be found, and several ping-pong events occur repeatedly at the same position. Several observations are described to discuss the value of utilizing the dataset and design AI-assisted HO algorithms for decreasing ping-pong effects and unnecessary HO events.