A Dynamic Decision Model for Vertical Handoffs across Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Authors: Pramod Goyal, S. K. Saxena

Abstract:

The convergence of heterogeneous wireless access technologies characterizes the 4G wireless networks. In such converged systems, the seamless and efficient handoff between different access technologies (vertical handoff) is essential and remains a challenging problem. The heterogeneous co-existence of access technologies with largely different characteristics creates a decision problem of determining the “best" available network at “best" time to reduce the unnecessary handoffs. This paper proposes a dynamic decision model to decide the “best" network at “best" time moment to handoffs. The proposed dynamic decision model make the right vertical handoff decisions by determining the “best" network at “best" time among available networks based on, dynamic factors such as “Received Signal Strength(RSS)" of network and “velocity" of mobile station simultaneously with static factors like Usage Expense, Link capacity(offered bandwidth) and power consumption. This model not only meets the individual user needs but also improve the whole system performance by reducing the unnecessary handoffs.

Keywords: Dynamic decision model, Seamless handoff, Vertical handoff, Wireless networks

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1077647

References:

[1] M. Angermann and J. Kammann, "Cost Metrics for Decision Problem In Wireless Ad Hoc Networking," IEEE CAS Workshop on Wireless Communications and Networking, 2002.
[2] L. Chen, T. Sun, B. Chen, V. Rajendran and M.Gerla, "A smart decision Model for vertical handoff", The 4th Int-l Workshop on Wireless Internet and Reconfigurability (ANWIRE-04) (May 2004).
[3] L.-J. Chen, T. Sun and M. Gerla,"USHA: simple and practical seamless vertical handoff solution", IEEE CCNC 2006.
[4] Mark Stemm, and Randy H. Katz. "Vertical Handoffs in Wireless Overlay Networks," ACM MONET, 1998.
[5] H.J. Wang, R. H. Katz, and J. Giese, "Policy-Enabled Handoffs across Heterogeneous Wireless Networks," Proc. of ACM WMCSA, 1999.
[6] Hasswa, A.; Nasser, N.; Hossanein,H "Generic vertical handoff decision function for heterogeneous wireless" Second IFIP International Conference on Wireless and Optical Communications Networks, 2005. WOCN 2005.
[7] Shen,W.;Zeng,Q.-A. "A Novel Decision Strategy of Vertical Handoff in Overlay Wireless Networks" Fifth IEEE International Symposium on Network Computing and Applications, 2006.
[8] Qingyang Song, Abbas Jamalipour, "A Time-Adaptive Vertical Handoff Decision Scheme in Wireless Overlay Networks", IEEE 17th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, 2006.
[9] Min Liu; Zhong-Cheng Li; Xiao-Bing Guo; Hong-Yon Lach "Design and Evaluation of Vertical Handoff Decision Algorithm in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks" 14th IEEE InternationalConference on Networks, 2006. ICON '06. Volume:2, Sept. 2006.
[10] Stevens-Navarro, E.; Wong, V.W.S, "A Vertical Handoff Decision Algorithm for Heterogeneous WirelessNetworks" IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference, 2007. WCNC 2007.
[11] Tawil, R.; Salazar, O.; Pujolle,G.; Demerjian,J , " A Decision Scheme for Vertical Handoff in Overlay Wireless Networks" 4th International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology, 2007. Innovations '07. 18-20Nov.2007.
[12] Ahmad, S.Z.; Akbar, M.S.; Qadir, M.A "A Cross-Layer Vertical Handover Decision Model for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks" 4th International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology, 2007.Innovations'07. 18-20 Nov. 2007 Page(s):441-445.
[13] Ahmed H.zahran, Ben Liang, Aladdin Saleh, "Signal Threshold Adaptation for Vertica handoff in heterogeneous wireless networks", Mobile Network Application (2006), Springer science.