On the optimization of fully distributed power control techniques in cellular radio systems

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of fully distributed power control algorithms (PCAs) for cellular mobile radio systems based on frequency-time division multiple access; the goal is to show that the optimization of the PCA requires a suitable definition of the performance figure and proper consideration of user mobility and the implemented handover algorithm (HA). Signal-level-based and carrier-to-interference-ratio (CIR) balancing schemes are investigated. Both uplink and downlink are taken into account. The optimization is carried out by observing both the outage probability and the drop-out probability, which is related to the duration of outage events. It is shown that the difference between the performance evaluated through the two metrics is related to the presence of suitable HAs. The average number of handovers per call is also considered, as a measure of network stability when using the different PCAs