Sensitivity analysis of handoff algorithms on CDMA forward link

We analyze the performance of different handoff algorithms on the forward link or downlink of a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) cellular system. Unlike the reverse link, soft handoff on the forward link requires additional resources such as CDMA codes and transmit power and also causes additional interference. If handoff requests can be processed and completed instantaneously, transmission from the base station with the best link to the user would achieve a significant fraction of the macrodiversity gain without utilizing additional resources. However, in practical systems, there is a nonzero handoff completion delay and soft handoff provides the required robustness to delays, although it comes at the expense of additional network resources. Thus, there is a tradeoff between the extent of soft handoff required and the handoff execution delay. We compare the performance of hard and soft handoff schemes and study their sensitivity to the delay in the execution of the handoff. Outage probability and the total average power required are used as performance metrics. We present an analytical framework to study this tradeoff and also discuss simulation results with field data. The results provide insights on the conditions under which soft handoff can be eliminated and on the effect of relevant handoff thresholds on the performance.