With the rapid increase in the number of mobile users, wireless access technologies are evolving to provide mobile users with high data rates and support new applications that include both human and machine-type communications. Heterogeneous networks (HetNets), created by the joint installation of macro cells and a large number of densely deployed small cells, are considered an important solution to deal with the increasing network capacity demands and provide high coverage to wireless users in future fifth generation (5G) wireless networks. Due to the increasing complexity of network topology in 5G HetNets with the integration of many different base station types, in 5G architecture mobility management has many challenges. Intense deployment of small cells, along with many advantages it provides, brings important mobility management problems such as frequent handover (HO), HO failure, HO delays, ping-pong HO and high energy consumption which will result in lower user experience and heavy signal loads. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive study on the mobility management in 5G HetNet in terms of radio resource control, the initial access and registration procedure of the user equipment (UE) to the network, the paging procedure that provides the location of the UE within the network, connected mode mobility management schemes and beam level mobility and beam management. Besides, this paper addresses the challenges and suggest possible solutions for the 5G mobility management.

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Drones will be a significant part of future mobile communication networks, serving as mobile users or acting as mobile base stations at sky. Although they will provide several solutions related to mobile communication networks and other non-communication services, drones also possess numerous challenges, especially when it comes to their handover management. Unlike terrestrial networks, drones are mobile devices that move in a three-dimension (3D) environment, which further complicates mobility issues. Therefore, this paper provides an overview on the handover management for connected drones in the future mobile networks. The study summarizes how current research efforts approach the issues that characterize drones, with special focus on the handover process. This work also provides a general concept of drone integration in heterogeneous networks and discusses specific solutions for addressing possible problems. This survey further offers a brief discussion and guidance for upcoming research directions related to connected drones in future heterogeneous networks.

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