Subject: Mobile Communication and Computing

Topic: GSM cellular telephony-architecture and system aspects

Difficulty: Low/High

Handover

1. Handoff (or handover) is a control process initiated when a mobile moves from its current cell to its neighbouring cell.
2. A user of a mobile phone will be moving continuously. In such a situation, the mobile connection should also remain intact especially if the user is currently using the phone.
3. This transfer of connection from one cell to another should be quick and in such a manner that user doesn’t actually realize that a handoff has happened.

4. There are four basic types of handoffs in GSM network: a) Intra-cell handover b) Inter-cell handover c) Inter-BSC handover d) Inter-MSC handover

   1. It occurs when a mobile moves from one MSC region to another MSC.

      1. MSC cover a large area. It can be imagined as a handover from Maharashtra MSC to Gujarat MSC while travelling.