Combined SINR Based Vertical Handoff Algorithm for Next Generation Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Next generation heterogeneous wireless networks offer the end users with assurance of QoS inside each access network as well as during vertical handoff between them. For guaranteed QoS, the vertical handoff algorithm must be QoS aware, which cannot be achieved with the use of traditional RSS as the vertical handoff criteria. In this paper, we propose a novel vertical handoff algorithm which uses received SINR from various access networks as the handoff criteria. This algorithm consider the combined effects of SINR from different access networks with SINR value from one network being converted to equivalent SINR value to the target network, so the handoff algorithm can have the knowledge of achievable bandwidths from both access networks to make handoff decisions with QoS consideration. Analytical results confirm that the new SINR based vertical handoff algorithm can consistently offer the end user with maximum available bandwidth during vertical handoff contrary to the RSS based vertical handoff, whose performance differs under different network conditions. System level simulations also reveal the improvement of overall system throughputs using SINR based vertical handoff, comparing with the RSS based vertical handoff

Handover Necessity Estimation for 4G Heterogeneous Networks

One of the most challenges of 4G network is to have a unified network of heterogeneous wireless networks. To achieve seamless mobility in such a diverse environment, vertical hand off is still a challenging problem. In many situations handover failures and unnecessary handoffs are triggered causing degradation of services, reduction in throughput and increase the blocking probability and packet loss. In this paper a new vertical handoff decision algorithm handover necessity estimation (HNE), is proposed to minimize the number of handover failure and unnecessary handover in heterogeneous wireless networks. we have proposed a multi criteria vertical handoff decision algorithm based on two parts: traveling time estimation and time threshold calculation. Our proposed methods are compared against two other methods: (a) the fixed RSS threshold based method, in which handovers between the cellular network and the WLAN are initiated when the RSS from the WLAN reaches a fixed threshold, and (b) the hysteresis based method, in which a hysteresis is introduced to prevent the ping-pong effect. Simulation results show that, this method reduced the number of handover failures and unnecessary handovers up to 80% and 70%, respectively

Vertical Handover Decision Algorithm in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

[EN] With the recent progress in the area of cellular communication the issue of inter cells handover without dropping an ongoing connection with the base station has arisen. In this paper, the focus is on the performance of vertical handover. Various proposed interconnection architectures for vertical handover in heterogeneous networks were studied. Two different algorithms to make the decision on when and to which network perform a handover were considered. In the first of them the decision is based on the received signal strength (RSS). In the second one a fuzzy logic system that uses RSS, bandwidth, battery power and packet loss as the input parameters is proposed. The simulation results show that the algorithm based on fuzzy logic leads to a reduction of the number of handovers and a minimisation of the power consumption as compared to the first algorithm used here and the existing algorithms.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through Grants TIN2013-47272-C2-1-R and BES-2011-045551.Benaatou, W.; Latif, A.; Pla, V. (2017). Vertical Handover Decision Algorithm in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks. International Journal of Internet Protocol Technology (Online). 10(4):197-213. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIPT.2017.08891419721310

SINR based Vertical Handoff Algorithm between GPRS and Wi-Fi Networks

Next generation wireless network is foreseen as the combination of heterogeneous wireless networks capable of providing enhanced services to mobile users. Vertical handoff is a crucial issue in providing service to mobile users, in a heterogeneous network. To maintain continuous service during vertical handoff period, the handoff procedure should consider the noise and interference in the networks. In this article, we have proposed an algorithm based on the received signal to inference plus noise ratio (SINR) for handoff between GPRS and Wi-Fi networks. Here SINR from Wi-Fi network is converted to the equivalent SINR of the GPRS network and vice-versa, so that the handoff algorithm can have the knowledge of achievable bandwidths in both the networks. This helps in taking a handoff decision. Simulation study on handoff between GPRS and Wi-Fi networks using QualNet showed that consideration of received SINR during the vertical handoff period maintains better system throughput than considering received signal strength (RSS) as handoff criteria

SINR-based Network Selection for Optimization in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (HWNs)

To guarantee the phenomenon of "Always Best Connection" in heterogeneous wireless networks, a vertical handover optimization is necessary to realize seamless mobility. Received signal strength (RSS) from the user equipment (UE) contains interference from surrounding base stations, which happens to be a function of the network load of the nearby cells. An expression is derived for the received SINR (signal to interference and noise ratio) as a function of traffic load in interfering cells of data networks. A better estimate of the UE SINR is achieved by taking into account the contribution of inter-cell interference. The proposed scheme affords UE to receive high throughput with less data rate, and hence benefits users who are located far from the base station. The proposed scheme demonstrates an improved throughput between the serving base station and the cell boundary

Applying ANFIS Model in Decision-making of Vertical Handover between Macrocell and Femtocell Integrated Network

[EN] One of the most challenging tasks in communication networks is to maintain seamless mobility and service continuity during a vertical handover. This paper provides the case of handover decision making between femtocell and macrocell integrated network considering several input parameters, namely SINR, bandwidth and energy consumption. We have simulated and proposed a vertical handover based on adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to achieve a goal of having an intelligent handover and to predict the best destination network. The simulation results show that the approach based on ANFIS leads to a reduction of unnecessary handovers and a minimization of the energy consumption as compared to the existing approaches.Benaatou, W.; Latif, A.; Pla, V. (2019). Applying ANFIS Model in Decision-making of Vertical Handover between Macrocell and Femtocell Integrated Network. Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering. 11(1):57-62. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/159152S576211

Context-aware multi-attribute decision multi - attribute decision making for radio access technology selection in ultra dense network

Ultra Dense Network (UDN) is the extreme densification of heterogeneous Radio Access Technology (RAT) that is deployed closely in coordinated or uncoordinated manner. The densification of RAT forms an overlapping zone of signal coverage leading to the frequent service handovers among the RAT, thus degrading overall system performance. The current RAT selection approach is biased towards network-centric criteria pertaining to signal strength. However, the paradigm shift from network-centric to user-centric approach necessitates a multi-criteria selection process, with methodology relating to both network and user preferences in the context of future generation networks. Hence, an effective selection approach is required to avoid unnecessary handovers in RAT. The main aim of this study is to propose the Context-aware Multiattribute decision making for RAT (CMRAT) selection for investigating the need to choose a new RAT and further determine the best amongst the available methods. The CMRAT consists of two mechanisms, namely the Context-aware Analytical Hierarchy Process (CAHP) and Context-aware Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (CTOPSIS). The CAHP mechanism measures the need to switch from the current RAT, while CTOPSIS aids in decision making to choose the best target RAT. A series of experimental studies were conducted to validate the effectiveness of CMRAT for achieving improved system performance. The investigation utilises shopping mall and urban dense network scenarios to evaluate the performance of RAT selection through simulation. The findings demonstrated that the CMRAT approach reduces delay and the number of handovers leading to an improvement of throughput and packet delivery ratio when compared to that of the commonly used A2A4-RSRQ approach. The CMRAT approach is effective in the RAT selection within UDN environment, thus supporting heterogeneous RAT deployment in future 5G networks. With context-aware selection, the user-centric feature is also emphasized