Scalable Mobility Proactive-Reactive Load Balancing (PRLB) Algorithm for High-Density Environments of Future Wireless Networks

Mobile networks are Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) comprised of different cell types, including small cells that can suffer from imbalanced load distribution caused by unexpected surges in user density and user mobility across small cells. This can lead to network performance degradation due to several factors, the most important of which are decreased handover (HO) success rates and increased HO-related issues. To mitigate performance fluctuations, especially in ultra-dense user environments like Karbala City during significant events, this research paper proposes a novel Proactive-Reactive Load Balancing (PRLB) algorithm. The PRLB algorithm considers dynamic adjustments of HO controllable (HOC) parameters of the overloaded cell and its adjacent cells. It activates when any cell’s load, measured based on the Physical Resource Block (PRB) utilization ratio, reaches the overload (OL) state representing the proactive mechanism. At the same time, the reactive mechanism reviews and analyzes the load records of the network cells during specific time intervals for potential offloading. Dynamic thresholds, determined based on overall network load conditions, are utilized to identify loaded cells and determine the offloading ratio. The PRLB algorithm through extensive simulations, demonstrates a significant reduction in the OL scenarios duration, achieves effective load distribution across HetNets, and improves overall network performance by reducing attach failures, HO failures (HOF), radio-link failures (RLF), and HO ping-pong (HOPP) events.