Seamless service provision for multi heterogeneous access - seamless content delivery in the future mobile internet

The key enabling function for seamless mobility and service continuity among a variety of wireless access technologies is the handover. Handovers within the same radio system are addressed by the standardization bodies involved in the development of the corresponding technologies (e.g., 3GPP, 3GPP2, IEEE, DVB), while handovers between heterogeneous systems are managed by protocols developed by the IETF. However, the interoperability between radio access systems that is required to realize the vision of Beyond 3G calls for coordinated actions and integrated solutions combining individual strengths. This article reviews emerging protocols and architectures aiming to support intersystem handovers between nextgeneration wireless systems and presents an optimized handover framework built around the functionality introduced by the IEEE 802.21 standard. Mapping of this framework to the entities of the 3GPP evolved system architecture is discussed and handover procedures involving key entities of this architecture are presented.     

基于MIH的WLAN/WiMAX宏移动性研究

下一代无线网络将是异构IP网络,为了提供无缝切换服务,结合IETF提议的移动IPv6(MIPv6)协议与IEEE802.21工作组提出介质独立切换(MIH)标准,设计出一种基于MIH异构网络宏移动性的垂直切换方案。在NS-2仿真环境中,验证了此方案的可用性,详细分析了网络切换时延和丢包率,并根据分析结果提出进一步研究方向。     

Seamless handover support over heterogeneous networks using FMIPv6 with definitive L2 triggers

Various wireless communication systems have been developed and will be integrated into an IP-based network to offer end users the Internet access anytime and anywhere. In heterogeneous multi-access networks, one of main issues is to manage nodes’ mobility with session continuity and minimal handover latency. In order to support the mobility of mobile nodes, MIPv6 has been proposed by IETF. Even though MIPv6 provides a solution to handling nodes’ mobility in IPv6 networks, there is a significant problem due to its inability to support a seamless handover caused by long latency and high packet losses during a handover. FMIPv6 has been proposed to reduce MIPv6 handover latency by using an address pre- configuration method with the aid of L2 triggers. Current research defines a general L2 trigger model for seamless handover operation, but it does not address the exact timing and definitive criteria of L2 triggers which causes a significant effect on the handover performance of FMIPv6. This paper considers the available timing and accurate criteria of L2 triggers. With the definitive L2 triggers, we present a practical handover scenario to integrate L2 and L3 layers for low handover latency and low number of packet losses during a handover. We also study the impact of definitive L2 triggers on the handover performance of the FMIPv6 protocol in real testbeds and prove that the FMIPv6 protocol performs its handover operation prior to the L2 handover and obtains a seamless handover.     

A Robust Seamless Handover Scheme for the Support of Multimedia Services in Heterogeneous Emerging Wireless Networks

With the rapid development of wireless technologies and numerous types of mobile devices, the need to support seamless multimedia services in Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (MUC) is growing. To support the seamless handover, several mobility protocols such as Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6) (Johnson et al., Mobility Support in IPv6, IETF, RFC 3775, 2004) and fast handover for the MIPv6 (FMIPv6) (Koodli et al. Past handovers for mobile IPv6 (FMIPv6), IETF, RFC 4068, 2005) were developed. However, MIPv6 depreciates the Quality-of-Service (QoS) especially in multimedia service applications because of the long handover latency and packet loss problem. To solve these problems in the MIPv6, FMIPv6 is proposed in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). However, FMIPv6 is not robust for the multimedia services in heterogeneous emerging wireless networks when the MN may move to another visited network in contrast with its anticipation. In MUC, the possibility of service failure is more increased because mobile users can frequently change the access networks according to their mobility in heterogeneous wireless access networks such as 3Generation (3G), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) and Bluetooth co-existed. In this paper, we propose a robust seamless handover scheme for the multimedia services in heterogeneous emerging wireless networks. The proposed scheme reduces the handover latency and handover initiation time when handover may fail through the management of tentative Care-of Addresses (CoAs) that does not require Duplicate Address Detection (DAD). Through performance evaluation, we show that our scheme provides more robust handover mechanism than other scheme such as FMIPv6 for the multimedia services in heterogeneous emerging wireless networks.     

Seamless integration of mobile WiMAX in 3GPP networks

As the wireless industry makes its way to the next generation of mobile systems, it is important to engineer solutions that enable seamless integration of emerging 4G access technologies within the currently deployed and/or evolved 2G/3G infrastructures. In this article we address a specific case of such a seamless integration, that of mobile WiMAX in evolved 3GPP networks. In this context we investigate the architecture and the key procedures that enable this integration, and we also introduce a novel handover mechanism that enables seamless mobility between mobile WiMAX and legacy 3GPP access, such as UTRAN or GERAN. The core characteristic of this novel handover mechanism is that mobile terminals do not need to support simultaneous transmission on both WiMAX and 3GPP accesses; therefore, it mitigates the RF coexistence issues that exist otherwise and improves handover performance. In addition, we provide a brief overview of mobile WiMAX and the evolved 3GPP network technologies, and we set the appropriate background material before presenting our proposed handover mechanism. Our main conclusion is that integrating mobile WiMAX in evolved 3GPP networks is a compelling approach for providing wireless broadband services, and mobility across WiMAX and 3GPP access can become seamless and efficient with no need for mobile terminals to support simultaneous transmission on both types of access.     

Link Synchronous Mobile IPv4 Handover Algorithms

The performance of the base Mobile IP handover algorithm for moving the Mobile Node’s network layer point of attachment from one subnet to another has been recognized as a potential performance bottleneck for some time. In this paper, we discuss a collection of algorithms that use a link synchronous approach to Mobile IP handover. In the link synchronous approach, information on the progress of switching the link is used to drive handover at the IP level. We present a comprehensive analysis of handover packet drop, and develop analytical models of how the link synchronous algorithms help to mitigate it. We use data from a handover emulator to test the analytical models, and to compare the performance of the different algorithms under a variety of link conditions. Data from implementations on IS-2000 and 802.11b show how the link synchronous algorithms behave on real radio protocols. The results indicate that the link synchronous algorithms can reduce packet loss substantially, with best results possible if the link layer provides information on the move prior to the link switch. James Kempf is a Research Fellow at DoCoMo USA Laboratories. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Previously, James worked at Sun Microsystems for 13 years, and contributed to numerous research projects involving wireless networking, mobile computing, and service discovery. James is a former member of the Internet Architecture Board, and co-chaired the SEND and Seamoby IETF Working Groups. James continues to be an active contributor to Internet standards in the areas of security and mobility for next generation, Internet protocol-based mobile systems. Ajoy Singh is a Principal Staff Engineer at Motorola GTSS Division where he has led the development of radio network controllers and the various components of core networks for 3GPP-based HSDPA and 3GPP2-based CDMA prototype systems. He holds a Master’s degree from DePaul University, Chicago, IL. Ajoy is the co-developer of several pending patents on cellular radio technology, and has contributed to the standardization of seamless mobility protocols through the Seamoby and Mobile IP IETF Working Groups and through IEEE 802.21. Jonathan Wood is an independent contractor and has been working with DoCoMo Labs since 2001. He is currently contributing to research on next generation mobility and networking infrastructures. Previously at Sun Microsystems, Jonathan focused on Solaris networking and 4G wireless network research. Atsushi Takeshita is a Director at the NTT DoCoMo Multimedia Laboratories in Yokoska Research Park, Japan. Prior to that, he was Director of the Autonomous Communication Laboratory in DoCoMo USA Laboratories, and one of the founding members of DoCoMo USA Laboratories. Atsushi joined NTT DoCoMo in 1988 and has since been engaged in the research and development of multimedia information retreival and delivery, the mobile Internet, and mobile terminal architectures. He is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Information Processing Society of Japan. Nat Natarajan joined Motorola in 1993, and is a Fellow of the Technical Staff at Motorola. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Prior to working at Motorola, Nat served as a research staff member for over 12 years with IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, working primarily on packet switched data, voice and integrated networks as well as wireless data and satellite networks, and he has been a major contributor to the IEEE 802.11 standard approved in 1997. Nat is a Motorola Distinguished Innovator, holding 30 patents, and is a Senior Member of IEEE. Nat’s current technical interests are Beyond 3G/4G mobile networking systems based on IP technologies.     

IEEE 802.21: Media independent handover: Features, applicability, and realization

Providing users of multi-interface devices the ability to roam between different access networks is becoming a key requirement for service providers. The availability of multiple mobile broadband access technologies, together with the increasing use of real-time multimedia applications, is creating strong demand for handover solutions that can seamlessly and securely transition user sessions across different access technologies. A key challenge to meeting this growing demand is to ensure handover performance, measured in terms of latency and loss. In addition, handover solutions must allow service providers, application providers, and other entities to implement handover policies based on a variety of operational and business requirements. Therefore, standards are required that can facilitate seamless handover between such heterogeneous access networks and that can work with multiple mobility management mechanisms. The IEEE 802.21 standard addresses this problem space by providing a media-independent framework and associated services to enable seamless handover between heterogeneous access technologies. In this article, we discuss how the IEEE 802.21 standard framework and services are addressing the challenges of seamless mobility for multi-interface devices. In addition, we describe and discuss design considerations for a proof-of-concept IEEE 802.21 implementation and share practical insights into how this standard can optimize handover performance.     

Design and analysis of an IEEE 802.21-based mobility management architecture: a context-aware approach

Broadband wireless technologies will soon become an integral part of daily life. In this paper we present the design rationale of a context-aware mobility management architecture for seamless handover in heterogeneous networks. Our proposal is a new cross-layer and interactive approach to seamless handover of users and their services. We present a simple though effective analytical model in typical deployment scenarios in heterogeneous networks with the use of the IEEE Media Independent Handover services. Such analytical model is used to evaluate the resulting handover delay when deploying common mobility protocols in our architecture, such as Mobile IP, Hierarchical MIP, and Proxy MIP.     

Predictive versus Reactive—Analysis of Handover Performance and Its Implications on IPv6 and Multicast Mobility

Handovers in mobile packet networks commonly produce packet loss, delay and jitter, thereby significantly degrading network performance. Mobile IPv6 handover performance is strongly topology dependent and results in inferior service quality in wide area scenarios. To approach seamless mobility in IPv6 networks predictive, reactive and proxy schemes have been proposed for improvement. In this article we analyse and compare handover performance and frequencies for the corresponding protocols, as they are an immediate measure on service quality. Using analytical methods as well as stochastic simulations, we calculate the performance decreases originating from different handover schemes, the expected number of handovers as functions of mobility and proxy ratios, as well as the mean correctness of predictions. In detail we treat the more delicate case of these rates in mobile multicast communication. It is obtained that performance benefits, expected from simple analysis of predictive schemes, do not hold in practice. Reactive and predictive handovers rather admit comparable performance. Hierarchical proxy environments—foremost in regions of high mobility—can significantly reduce the processing of inter–network changes. Reliability of handover predictions is found on average at about 50%.     

A Survey on Media Independent Handover (MIH) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

One challenge of wireless networks integration is to provide ubiquitous wireless access abilities and seamless handover for mobile communication devices between different types of technologies (3GPP and non-3GPP), such as Global System for Mobile Communication, Wireless Fidelity, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System and Long Term Evolution. This challenge is critical as mobile users are becoming increasingly demanding for services regardless of the technological complexities associated with them. To fulfil these requirements for seamless vertical handover (VHO) two main interworking frameworks have been proposed by IEEE Group and 3GPP for integration between the aforementioned technologies; namely, Media Independent Handover IEEE 802.21 and IP Multimedia Subsystem, where each of them requires mobility management protocol to complement its work, such as Mobile IP and Session Initiation Protocol, respectively. Various VHO approaches have been proposed in the literature based on these frameworks. In this paper, we survey the VHO approaches proposed in the literature and classify them into four categories based on these frameworks for which we present their objectives and performances issues.     

Dynamic inter-domain MDS approach with secure seamless handover based on IEEE 802.21 MIH

The accessibility of available wireless access technologies with increasing demand for real time multimedia application becomes an essential part for mobile communication. Mobile users resourcefully utilize the heterogeneous environment for best quality of service (Qos) anywhere and anytime. Efficient handover optimization and intelligent mobility management is a key requirement for designing next generation wireless networks. Therefore, a novel IEEE 802.21 media independent handover (MIH) standard is adopted to provide an associated service for intelligent handover procedures. In addition, dynamic mobility management decision server (MDS) and IEEE 802.21a security extension for MIH services are also integrated in the proposed architectures to support fast, seamless and secure handover optimization in inter-domain mobility. Simulation results prove that the presented work resourcefully minimizes the packet loss, unnecessary handover probability and vertical handover delay by avoiding time consuming scanning process for target network discovery. The system thus achieves Qos guarantee by balancing the network load and throughput improvement for different applications with Proxy MIPv6 mobility management protocol.     

Performance analysis of IP mobility with multiple care-of addresses in heterogeneous wireless networks

This paper aims to suggest a host-based localized mobility management scheme which provides similar user experiences and seamless mobility of real time communications. The proposed scheme supports multiple care-of addresses and fast handover mechanism with a single unitary virtual interface among heterogeneous radio access technologies without network changes. We verify that the proposed scheme has significant vertical handover performance gains to support real time communication traffics through the experiment over the real network experimental environment consists of WiFi and 3GPP2 networks.     

A Smooth Handover Scheme for Fast-Moving Users in Mobile IPv6 Networks

As the rapid development of wireless technologies and increasing communication need of people in ubiquitous environment, some handover schemes and improvements were proposed by the IETF in order to support mobility effectively. In addition, mobile Stream Control Transmission Protocol (mSCTP) proposed by the IETF is a new transport protocol supporting mobility and with a built-in feature called Multi-homing has attracted much attention from the research communities. Multi-homing is convenient to introduce IP diversity in mobility management. A seamless handover architecture called SIGMA based on mSCTP has better performance than Mobile IPv6 enhancements. However, the handover performance in SIGMA remains low if the mobile host moves at a fast speed. Aiming at this problem, we propose SHSBM, a Smooth Handover Scheme based-on mSCTP. SHSBM adopts the advantage of SIGMA, and utilize Buffer and Tunnel to better serve fast-moving users. Additionally, we propose two strategies to solve the problem caused by Buffer-scheme—sequence Out of Order. Criteria for performance evaluation including the packets’ loss rate, throughput and handover latency compared with SIGMA and Mobile IPv6 enhancements.     

A novel media independent handover‐based approach for vertical handover over heterogeneous wireless networks

The key purpose for seamless mobility and service continuity between heterogeneous wireless networks is the handover. Vertical handover management is one of key challenges in such environment. To deal with some of these challenges, an IEEE 802.21 media independent handover (MIH) framework has been standardized. The main purpose of this standard is to offer a general interface for the handover by abstracting the link layer intelligence to higher layers. However, there still exist a number of limitations in MIH architecture. In this paper, a new architecture of improved MIH is presented to perform vertical handover between wireless heterogeneous networks. We focused on interworking architecture between wireless local area network and long term evolution advanced network with the use of MIH signaling to define an efficient vertical handover. A performance analysis model for the proposed MIH‐based vertical handover is derived. Analysis results show that the proposed method can be easily deployed in present multimedia service networks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A terminal‐controlled vertical handover decision scheme in IEEE 802.21‐enabled heterogeneous wireless networks

The seamless internetworking among heterogeneous networks is in great demand to provide ‘always‐on’ connectivity services with quality of service (QoS) provision, anywhere at anytime. The integration of wireless‐fidelity (Wi‐Fi) and wireless metropolitan area networks (WiMAX) networks can combine their best features to provide ubiquitous access, while mediating the weakness of both networks. While it is challenging to obtain optimized handover decision‐based dynamic QoS information, users can improve their perceived QoS by using the terminal‐controlled handover decision in a single device equipped with multiple radio interfaces. The IEEE 802.21 aims at providing a framework that defines media‐independent handover (MIH) mechanism that supports seamless handover across heterogeneous networks. In this paper, an multiple attributes decision making‐based terminal‐controlled vertical handover decision scheme using MIH services is proposed in the integrated Wi‐Fi and WiMAX networks to provide ‘always‐on’ connectivity QoS services. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides smaller handover times and lower dropping rate than the RSS‐based and cost function‐based vertical handover schemes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enabling Heterogeneous Mobility in Android Devices

The fast growing of mobile Internet users with the ability of using a wide diversity of access technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and UMTS/LTE, and the increasing proliferation of mobile devices with heterogeneous network interfaces, require versatile mobility mechanisms providing seamless roaming across those access technologies. Mobility agents such as Mobile IP and Fast MIPv6 are common, however, these solutions still have limitations when dealing with multiple link-layer technologies. In this context, the emerging standard IEEE 802.21 provides a framework which enables mobile agents and network operators to improve the handover process in heterogeneous networks. In this context, this paper presents and discusses the design and implementation of a mobility-aware solution for an Android device, using the IEEE 802.21 framework. A modified Android user terminal is proposed to improve the handover process, assuming a make-before-break approach. Resorting to an experimental testbed, the obtained results show that the proposed solution is an effective contribution to successfully accomplish seamless mobility of Android-based devices operating in 3G and Wi-Fi networks.     

Handover management in integrated WLAN and mobile WiMAX networks [recent advances and evolution of WLAN and WMAN standards]

Recently there has been much effort, in both academia and industry, to integrate a plethora of wireless technologies in order to provide ubiquitous broadband access to mobile users. Handover management is still one of the most challenging issues to be solved for seamless integration of wireless networks. This article addresses the integration of IEEE 802.11 WLANs and IEEE 802.16 WMANs, focusing mainly on the handover management aspects. First, we describe architectures, futuristic application scenarios such as the envisioned heterogeneous multihop wireless networks (HMWNs) and moving networks, as well as the related research issues. Second, we present IEEE 802.21, a new emerging standard aimed at providing a framework for media-independent handover (MIH) among heterogeneous networks. Finally, we discuss how the MIH framework can help handover management for the integrated network.     

Seamless proactive handover across heterogeneous access networks

Dual-mode handsets and multimode terminals are generating demand for solutions that enable convergence and seamless handover across heterogeneous access networks. The IEEE 802.21 working group is creating a framework that defines a Media Independent Handover Function (MIHF), facilitates handover across heterogeneous access networks, and helps mobile users experience better performance during mobility events. In this paper, we describe this 802.21 framework and also summarize a Media-independent Pre-Authentication (MPA) mechanism currently under discussion within the IRTF that can further optimize handover performance. We discuss how the 802.21 framework and the MPA technique can be integrated to improve handover performance. Finally, we describe a test-bed implementation and validate experimental performance results of the combined mobility technique.     

SIP-based IEEE802.21 media independent handover — a BT Intel collaboration

In this paper, we look at various mobility management protocols and handover frameworks in use in BT. We also report on the results from a collaborative proof of concept mixed network prototype for a seamless handover system using Intel’s early implementation of the IEEE802.21 media-independent handover standard. The paper reports the design, implementation and deployment issues/options of a handover mechanism using the Intel framework which includes a connection manager and mixed network IEEE802.21 adaptation layer together with BT’s SIP-based audio/video application in a heterogeneous Wi-Fi, WiMAX and Ethernet network environment.     

Intelligent Technique for Seamless Vertical Handover in Vehicular Networks

Seamless mobility is a challenging issue in the area of research of vehicular networks that are supportive of various applications dealing with the intelligent transportation system (ITS). The conventional mobility management plans for the Internet and the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is unable to address the needs of the vehicular network and there is severe performance degradation because of the vehicular networks’ unique characters such as high mobility. Thus, vehicular networks require seamless mobility designs that especially developed for them. This research provides an intelligent algorithm in providing seamless mobility using the media independent handover, MIH (IEEE 802.21), over heterogeneous networks with different access technologies such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), as well as the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) for improving the quality of service (QoS) of the mobile services in the vehicular networks. The proposed algorithm is a hybrid model which merges the biogeography-based optimization or BBO with the Markov chain. The findings of this research show that our method within the given scenario can meet the requirements of the application as well as the preferences of the users.