LTE, LTE-Advanced and WiMAX: Towards IMT-Advanced Networks

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Coexistence and Inter-Technology Handovers

Coexistence is defined as “The ability of one system to perform a task in a given shared environment where other systems have an ability to perform their tasks and may or may not be using the same set of rules” [1]. In the context of wireless communications, the IEEE 802.19 Wireless Coexistence Working Group (WG) defines it as the simultaneous use of the same spectrum in the same locale by two or more wireless devices or the act of two or more networks/devices sharing resources without causing destructive interference to one another [2]. The IEEE 802.19 WG develops standards for coexistence between wireless standards operating in unlicensed bands. As multiple wireless network technologies either already exist or are currently in development for near future deployment, seamless coexistence is becoming a more challenging objective to achieve. Meanwhile, the IEEE 802.21 WG oversees the Media Independent Handovers (MIH), which dictates the procedures for IEEE technologies when managing inter-technology handovers.

This chapter discusses the coexistence from the point view of LTE as an example of coexistence between LTE or WiMAX with other wireless access systems and fixed (such as satellite services) and mobile (such as IEEE 802.11 networks). It is organized into two sections. The first, Section 16.1, discusses intersystem interference, and shows an example of how it can be managed, while Section 16.2 discusses inter-technology handover. ...