Improving handover of 5G networks by network function virtualization and fog computing

In Fifth Generation (5G) cellular networks, it is necessary to meet a number of requirements, such as high scalability, ultra-low latency, reduced energy consumption, and high energy efficiency. Particularly in the high mobility scenario, the optimization of handover through managing signalling overhead and delay is of primarily importance. In this paper, the idea of integrating Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Fog Computing is explored. NFV has the advantage of improving network flexibility whilst reducing overall overhead. The Fog-Computing Access Points (F-APs) are then employed with certain caches in the edge of networks. Moreover, a direct-X2 based handover scheme is proposed. Taking advantages of both edge caching and Virtual Machines (VMs), this proposed handover scheme has superior performance: the signalling cost of handovers can be as little as 65% of that of a conventional LTE network.