DRL driven energy efficient paging optimization framework based on adaptive handover for 5G and beyond networks

Abstract

The rapid growth of 5G cellular networks and mobile user equipments (UEs) has increased control-plane signaling overhead due to frequent paging and handover operations. Existing works investigate handover optimization in connected mode but the efficient paging process remains an ongoing challenge because idle and inactive states require excessive energy in ultra-dense networks. The conventional static paging techniques create unnecessary paging coverage which results in duplicate signaling and resource waste without improving Quality of Service (QoS) results. The paper presents the DRL-driven Energy-Efficient Paging Monitoring and Adaptive Handover Optimization (D2-OEPM) framework as a solution for 5G network challenges. The proposed framework is able to optimize the adaptive Paging cycle management and dynamic handover control within a unified DRL-driven framework. The proposed framework achieves a 30% to 35% reduction in paging energy consumption and a 35% to 40% decrease in control-plane signaling overhead under an ultra-dense MATLAB Simulink environment. The ultra-dense environment has 500 UEs, 25 small cells, and a 128 ms adaptive paging cycle to analysis the performance of the work. The system achieves more than 95% handover success rate while maintaining Quality of Service (QoS) satisfaction levels above 94% through 3GPP-compliant A3/A5 mobility management and a multi-objective reward function. The proposed framework functions as an effective energy-conscious mobility management solution that scales to handle energy-efficient operations in ultra-dense 5G networks.