Handover Optimization Framework for Next-Generation Wireless Networks: 5G, 5G−Advanced and 6G

Mobile communications have been undergoing a generational evolution at least every ten years, currently in the fifth-generation (5G) and 5G−Advanced decade. As 5G and 5G−Advanced become a commercial reality, there is already significant interest in systems beyond 5G i.e., the sixth generation (6G) of wireless systems, anticipated to officially launch in 2030. The applications of 5G, 5G−Advanced, and 6G require more spectrum featuring a diverse range of radio frequency bands, ranging from below 6 GHz up to 1 THz. This includes low-band spectrum for coverage (macro cells) offering low data rates, mid-band for both coverage and capacity (small cells) offering high data rates, and high-band and beyond spectrum for capacity only, offering ultra-high data rates. By utilizing the capacity layer (small cells), a mobile user will take a shorter time to exit the cell. However, this exposes the user to very high handover requests, pingpong effects, and handover failures, which negatively impact the quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE). Additionally, the integration of Terrestrial Networks (TNs) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) envisioned for 5G, 5G−Advanced and 6G networks has made mobility (handover) management far more challenging due to mobile end-devices and infrastructure dynamics. To address the handover challenge, we proposed an infrastructure-agnostic handover framework for auto-tuning self-optimization in the handover measurement stage and handover decision-making stage. This framework aims to optimize handover performance and improve QoS and QoE for mobile users in 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G wireless networks.