There are 9 type of handover in 5g which are Intra-frequency Handover, Inter-frequency Handover, Inter-RAT Handover, URLLC Handover, Dual Connectivity Handover, MRO Handover, Handover to Unlicensed Spectrum, Vertical Handover and Network Slicing Handover.
What are the different types of handover in 5G?
There are several types of handovers in 5G, each serving a specific purpose.
Here are the different types of handovers in 5G:
Intra-frequency Handover (Intra-Freq HO): This type of handover occurs when a mobile device switches between different cells within the same frequency band. It’s the most common type of handover in 5G and is used when a user’s device moves from one cell to another while maintaining the same frequency.
Inter-frequency Handover (Inter-Freq HO): In this handover, a mobile device switches between cells that operate on different frequency bands within the same radio access technology. For example, if a user moves from a cell operating in one frequency band to a cell operating in another frequency band, an inter-frequency handover is initiated.
Inter-RAT Handover (Inter-Radio Access Technology HO): Sometimes, a mobile device may need to handover between cells that use different radio access technologies, such as transitioning from 5G to 4G (LTE) or from 5G to Wi-Fi. This type of handover is known as Inter-RAT handover and is essential for seamless connectivity.
Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) Handover: URLLC is a critical aspect of 5G that provides ultra-low latency and high reliability for specific applications like industrial automation and autonomous vehicles. Handovers in URLLC scenarios are designed to meet stringent latency and reliability requirements.
Dual Connectivity Handover: In dual connectivity, a device is simultaneously connected to two cells, typically one primary cell and one secondary cell. Handovers in this context can involve switching between the primary and secondary cells or maintaining a connection with both to enhance data rates and reliability.
Mobility Robustness Optimization (MRO) Handover: MRO handovers aim to optimize the handover process by considering factors like signal quality, interference, and load balancing. It ensures that the handover occurs at the most suitable time and to the most suitable cell to maintain quality of service.
Handover to Unlicensed Spectrum: In some cases, 5G networks may offload traffic to unlicensed spectrum, such as Wi-Fi, to alleviate congestion or improve connectivity. This type of handover involves transitioning from the licensed 5G spectrum to an unlicensed one.
Vertical Handover: Vertical handovers are used in heterogeneous networks where various access technologies, including 5G, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks, coexist. The handover decision is based on factors like signal strength, available bandwidth, and application requirements.
Network Slicing Handover: In 5G, network slicing allows the creation of virtualized network instances tailored to specific applications or users. Handovers in this context may involve transitioning a device from one network slice to another to meet changing service requirements.
These various types of handovers in 5G ensure that users experience seamless connectivity and optimal service quality as they move within the network, making 5G networks highly versatile and adaptive to different scenarios and requirements.