Ensuring reliable and stable communication during the movements of mobile users is one of the key issues in mobile networks. In the recent years, several studies have been conducted to address the issues related to Handover (HO) self-optimization in Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) for Fourth Generation (4G) and Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks. Various solutions have been developed to determine or estimating the optimum and ideal settings of Handover Control Parameters (HCPs), such as Time-To-Trigger (TTT) and Handover Margin (HOM). However, the complexity, high requirements, and the upcoming structure of ultra-dense HetNets require more advanced HO self-optimization techniques for future implementation. This paper studies HO self-optimization techniques that may implemented in the next-generation mobile HetNets by reviewing state-of-the-art algorithms. The solutions discussed in this survey are more focus on Mobility Robustness Optimization (MRO), which is a significant self-optimization function in 4G and 5G mobile networks. The applied solutions will preserve the continuous connection between the User Equipment (UE) and eNBs during UE mobility, thereby enhancing connection quality. The various algorithms and techniques applied to HO have revealed different outcomes. This paper discusses the pros and cons of these techniques, and further examines HO self-optimization challenges and solutions. New future directions for the implementation of HO self-optimization are also identified. This survey will contribute to the understanding of the issues related to mobility management, particularly in relation to the self-optimization of HO control parameters in future mobile HetNets.

High mobility travelling trains and drones connected via ultra-dense mobile networks may lead to frequent handovers (HOs). As a consequence, this could arise the mobility problems of the serving network such as handover ping-pong (HOPP), radio link failure (RLF), handover probability (HOP), and handover failure (HOF). Mobility robustness optimization (MRO) function can contribute for fixing such related problems. This can be performed by self-optimization process for the handover control parameters (HCPs), that including time-to-trigger (TTT) and handover margin (HOM). Although various proposed solutions available in the literature, the issues have not been addressed efficiently. Thus, this study proposes a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) along with weighted function (WF) to perform efficient HO self-optimization process for the HCPs over the heterogeneous networks (Het-Nets). The proposed algorithm is defined as velocity-aware-fuzzy logic controller-weighted function (VAW-FLC-WF) algorithm. Additionally, a trigger timer is used along with the proposed algorithm for the purpose of reducing the ratio of HOPP. The objective of the integrated algorithms is to minimize the connections issues such as HOPP, RLF, and received signal reference power (RSRP). Besides, this study highlighted the significant of categorizing the speed scenarios in reducing the mobility issues by comparing the results with non-categorized speed scenarios (proposed FLC-WF). The proposed integrated algorithms show a significant enhancements as compared to the algorithms investigated from the literature. The average RLF probability of the proposed (VAW-FLC-WF) was reduced to 0.006 which was the lowest probability compared to the other HO algorithms. Besides, RSRP, HOPP were shown noticeable improvements compared to other HO algorithms.

Ultra-dense heterogeneous networks (HetNets) are deployment scenarios in the advent of fifth generation (5G) and beyond network generations. A massive number of small base stations (SBSs) and connected devices have been exponentially increasing. This has subsequently led to a rise of several mobility management issues which require optimization techniques to avoid performance degradation. Machine learning (ML) is a promising approach for future mobile communication networks (5G and beyond). It has the ability of improving the efficiency of complicated heterogeneous and decentralized networks. ML has proven to be significant in the mobility management field since it optimizes handover control parameters (HCPs) over various dynamic environments. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no comprehensive survey deeply discussing a state-of-the-art ML algorithms in mobility robustness optimization (MRO) functions. However, each summarized algorithm in this study includes deployment scenario, ML type, methodology used, criteria, HCPs, key performance indicators (KPIs), simulators, and achievements which can assist researchers for future investigations in MRO functions. In addition, this study serves as a guide in the selection of proper optimization algorithms according to the outcomes of each algorithm. Furthermore, this study presented the common types of ML and the techniques used from each type to optimize the HCPs of the MRO functions. Moreover, high-mobility-aware and network topologies are presented in MRO function for further system enhancements. Besides, the survey further highlights several potential problems for upcoming research and provides future directions to address the issues of next generation wireless networks.

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