A Preference Value-Based Cell Selection Scheme in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

This paper proposes a preference value-based cell selection (PVCS) scheme to satisfy quality of service (QoS) requirements, maximize accommodated number of calls, and minimize handoff occurrence frequency in heterogeneous wireless networks. The PVCS scheme contains three stages including candidate cells selection, preference value calculation, and target cell determination. The candidate cells selection is used to sift the suitable cells for the call request. All suitable cells form a candidate cell set. The preference value calculation computes the preference value of each cell in the candidate cell set, which is optimized by considering QoS factor, loading factor, and mobility factor, for the purpose of maintaining QoS requirements of a call request, maximize accommodated number of calls, and minimizing handoff occurrence frequency. Eventually, the candidate cell, which has the maximum preference value, would be selected for the call request. Simulation results show that PVCS scheme achieves higher total throughput than UGT while satisfying the QoS requirements. It also has lower new call blocking rate and handoff call dropping rate than UGT, which means more accommodated calls than UGT. Besides, PVCS reduces the total handoff occurrence frequency by about 20% as compared to UGT.