University of Canterbury. Electrical and Computer Engineering
Doi
Abstract
The next-generation Wireless Metropolitan Area
Networks, using the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access (WiMAX) as the core technology based on the IEEE
802.16 family of standards, is evolving as a Fourth-Generation
(4G) technology. With the recent introduction of mobility management
frameworks in the IEEE 802.16e standard, WiMAX
is now placed in competition to the existing and forthcoming
generations of wireless technologies for providing ubiquitous
computing solutions. However, the success of a good mobility
framework largely depends on the capability of performing fast
and seamless handovers irrespective of the deployed architectural
scenario. Now that the IEEE has defined the Mobile WiMAX
(IEEE 802.16e) MAC-layer handover management framework,
the Network Working Group (NWG) of the WiMAX Forum
is working on the development of the upper layers. However,
the path to commercialization of a full-fledged WiMAX mobility
framework is full of research challenges. This article focuses on
potential handover-related research issues in the existing and
future WiMAX mobility framework. A survey of these issues in
the MAC, Network and Cross-Layer scenarios is presented along
with discussion of the different solutions to those challenges. A
comparative study of the proposed solutions, coupled with some
insights to the relevant issues, is also included