An improved handover algorithm based on signal strength plus distance for interoperability in mobile cellular networks

In future generation mobile cellular systems, position location of mobile terminal is expected to be available. In this paper, we propose an initiation algorithm for intersystem handover based on the combination of position location of mobile terminal and the absolute signal strength thresholds. Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) networks are considered for interworking. The proposed algorithm reduces the handover rate by around 50% and thus improves the network resource efficiency as compared to that based on signal strength thresholds only.