Blocking, hand-off and traffic performance for cellular communication systems with mixed platforms

Cellular communication systems that support a mixture of platform types distinguished by different mobility characteristics are considered. A tractable analytical model for traffic performance analysis is developed using multidimensional birth-death processes and the method of phases. The framework allows consideration of homogeneous and nonhomogeneous systems, a broad class of dwell time distributions, and missed handoff initiations. Cut-off priority for handoffs and several platform types are considered to demonstrate the approach. The effects of different mobility parameters and of imperfect detection of handoff needs are examined. Theoretical performance characteristics are obtained. These exhibit carried traffic, handoff activity, blocking probability, and forced termination probability for each platform type. The realizable exchange of blocking for handoff performance is shown.>