Towards 6G: Understanding Handover Strategies and Protocols for Future Mobile Communication Systems

Enea Osmëni, Ibraheem Abdullah Mohammed Shayea, Bilal Saoud, Olzhas Konakbayev, Nurzhan Bazhayev, Aigul Kayrulaevna Shaikhanova

2025

Closed access Metadata (CSL-JSON)

DOI 10.1109/snpd65828.2025.11253418

Data confidence 70 medium

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Abstract

The evolution of communication networks from 1G to 6G has significantly transformed key parameters, notably improving data rates and reducing latency. In parallel, the handover process—where user equipment (UE) transitions between base stations (BS)—has also advanced. This paper presents a comprehensive classification of handover strategies from multiple perspectives: network architecture, interface types, frequency layers, supported technologies, and access methods. It further addresses critical issues such as handover failures and interruption times, and introduces two emerging techniques: Conditional Handover (CHO) and Dual-Active Protocol Stack Handover (DAPS HO).