Optimal prioritized handoff in linear microcellular radio systems

Handoff calls would constitute a substantial portion of the total traffic in microcellular systems. Efficient handling of handoff calls therefore is essential to the efficient operation of a system. We analyze the effect of using channel reservation for handoff calls in linear microcellular systems. We first derive the handoff call arrival rates at individual cells. From that the new call and handoff call blocking probabilities at individual cells are derived. Finally, we derive the probability of call termination due to handoff failure P_HF. The analysis is applicable to both homogeneous and inhomogeneous traffic systems. Since handoff failure is considered to be less desirable than the blocking of a new call, we can set a GOS requirement on P_HF and choose the number of guard channels in individual cells to make the blocking of new calls minimum. Computer simulation results show that our analysis is very accurate and numerical examples show that the optimal use of channel reservation can significantly reduce the blocking of new calls while satisfying a GOS requirement on P_HF