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.     

New efficient cross‐layer and multihoming mechanisms at layer 2 for inter‐radio access technology handover between UMTS and WiMAX

Next generation mobile networks will provide seamless mobility between existing cellular systems and other wireless access technologies. To realize a seamless vertical handover (inter‐radio access technology handover) among these different access technologies, a multi‐interfaced mobile station (i.e., multihomed) is a good approach to provide better handover performance in terms of packet loss rate and handover latency. In this article, we propose a novel layer 2 multihoming approach for inter‐radio access technology handover between Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) in both integrated and tight coupling architectures. This layer 2 multihoming approach has the ability of enabling either soft handover or make‐before‐break handover to adapt to mobility scenarios for the sake of a lossless and short latency handover procedure. Our simulation results show that, in case of handover from UMTS to WiMAX for transmission control protocol (TCP) traffics, the layer 2 multihoming approach can achieve a lossless and zero latency handover procedure by enabling soft handover. In case of handover from WiMAX to UMTS, because of the fact that the performance gain of soft handover is more affected by the differences of bandwidth and transmission delay between these wireless links, the make‐before‐break handover is preferred to achieve lossless and short latency handover procedure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Secure Relay-Assisted Handover Protocol for Proxy Mobile IPv6 in 3GPP LTE Systems

The LTE (Long Term Evolution) technologies defined by 3GPP is the last step toward the 4th generation (4G) of radio technologies designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile telephone networks. Mobility management for supporting seamless handover is the key issue for the next generation wireless communication networks. The evolved packet core (EPC) standard adopts the proxy mobile IPv6 protocol (PMIPv6) to provide the mobility mechanisms. However, the PMIPv6 still suffers the high handoff delay and the large packet lost. Our protocol provides a new secure handover protocol to reduce handoff delay and packet lost with the assistance of relay nodes over LTE networks. In this paper, we consider the security issue when selecting relay nodes during the handoff procedure. During the relay node discovery, we extend the access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) in 3GPP specifications to help mobile station or UE to obtain the information of relay nodes. With the aid of the relay nodes, the mobile station or UE performs the pre-handover procedure, including the security operation and the proxy binding update to significantly reduce the handover latency and packet loss. The simulation results illustrate that our proposed protocol actually achieves the performance improvements in the handoff delay time and the packet loss rate.     

Mobility support across hybrid IP-based wireless environment: review of concepts, solutions, and related issues

The 4G or Beyond 3G wireless networks is consist of IP-based heterogeneous access networks from 3G cellular, WiFi, WiMAX to other emerging access technologies such as mesh networks. The key objective of designing the next generation wireless networks is to support of mobile subscribers. To support the mobile host in the hybrid wireless access technologies, many solutions based on network protocol stack have been proposed in the literature. In this article, after review of mobility concepts, a special attention is given to some of the mobility management methods as well as handover techniques across various wireless access networks. We have also compared the major mobility protocols in each layer for their features. Finally, some of the open issues that needed to be addressed in mobility management protocol in the next generation wireless networks are outlined.     

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.     

Moving toward seamless mobility: state of the art and emerging aspects in standardization bodies

The challenge to provide seamless mobility in the near future emerges as a key topic in various standardization bodies. This includes first of all the support of seamless handover between homogeneous networks. Distinct technologies—such as IEEE 802.11WLANs (Wi-Fi) and IEEE 802.16 MANs WiMAX—have recently augmented such support to existing standards to enable seamless homogeneous handover. Cellular networks, in contrast, already included this inherently from the start. Currently considerable effort goes into coupling of different radio access technologies. Therefore, the second key topic in standardization is seamless heterogeneous handovers. IEEE, IETF, as well as 3GPP consider different approaches toward architectures and protocols enabling seamless mobility management. In this work, we discuss recent and on-going standardization activities within IEEE, IETF, and 3GPP toward seamless homogeneous as well as heterogeneous mobility support.     

基于媒体独立切换并提供QoS保证的跨UMTS和WiMAX无线异构网络的网络切换方案

The rapid growth and innovation of the various mobile communication technologies have caused a change in the paradigm of internet access. Wireless technologies such as WiMAX, WiFi and UMTS/LTE networks have shown great potential in dominating the wireless access markets. The existence of various access technologies requires a means for seamless internetworking to provide anywhere, anytime services without interruption in the ongoing session, especially in multimedia applications with rigid Quality of Services (QoS) requirements. The IEEE 802.21 Media Independent Handover (MIH) working group was formed to develop a set of mechanisms under a standard framework with the capability to support migration of mobile users across heterogeneous networks. Therefore, the implementation of handover is extremely important in the heterogeneous network environment. In order to guarantee various QoS requirements during handover execution especially in multimedia applications, in this paper we propose a novel MIH-based capacity estimation algorithm to execute handover with QoS provision supporting both horizontal and vertical handovers across UMTS and WiMAX networks. Simulation shows that the proposed mechanism achieves lower call dropping rate (highest approximate 3% ) and higher system throughput (average 92% ) than the basic handover method does.     

Improvements to seamless vertical handover between mobile WiMAX and 3GPP UTRAN through the evolved packet core - [LTE part II: 3GPP release 8]

Recent mobile devices are integrated with multiple network interfaces. Users want their devices connected to the network anytime anywhere. It is highly feasible for a user to change connection to another network for users that leave the service area of its current serving network, where handover needs to be executed seamlessly such that ongoing service sessions are not interrupted. The handover operation not only requires switching the interfaces within a device but also involves seamless reconfiguration of the supporting networks. In this article, an improved IP-based vertical handover technology for mobile WiMAX [1, 2], 3GPP legacy systems (i.e., Global System for Mobile communications and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) [3, 4], and 3G Long Term Evolution [5, 6] is presented, which is based on existing optimized handover techniques between mobile WiMAX and 3GPP accesses [7?9]. Formerly proposed 3GPP WiMAX optimized VHO solutions introduced new elements, such as the forward attachment function and access network discovery and selection function. The ANDSF supports the discovery of target access, and the FAF provides the functionality that authenticates the UE before the execution of VHO. However, the previous technique has limitations that result in data loss and abnormal disconnection to the source access [7?9]. This article provides a solution by introducing an additional network element called the data forwarding function (DFF) that eliminates the data loss during VHO execution. In addition, the DFF resolves the problem of abrupt disconnection to the source network. The simulation results show that the proposed VHO technique is effective in minimizing data loss during VHO execution between mobile WiMAX and 3GPP networks. As the proposed solution of this article is an IP based handover solution, it can be similarly applied to other communication networks.     

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.     

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.     

NetCAPE: Enabling Seamless IMS Service Delivery across Heterogeneous Mobile Networks

An evolving wireless world is constantly providing users with a wider set of access technologies to choose from, each with different capabilities and properties. In this world, IMS as defined by 3GPP provides an enabling, standardized multimedia architecture that is access independent, hence, providing service convergence. This trend is accompanied by an increasing number of multimode terminals so that inter-access- system-service continuity gains relevance. This article presents the architectural framework of NetCAPE (networking context aware policy environment), which addresses the optimization of mobility management in such a heterogeneous environment while interacting with IMS applications to enable seamless service delivery across heterogeneous mobile networks; even as the mobility offered by the underlying network remains transparent to IMS applications. Although the focus is on 3GPP-based mobile networks, the framework also incorporates wired access technologies, hence, taking a further step toward fixed mobile convergence (FMC). First results are presented highlighting the improvements gained by applying NetCAPE concepts.     

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.     

Optimized Access Network Selection in a Combined WLAN/LTE Environment

Multimode terminals equipped with multiple radio access technologies are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, network operators and service providers seek opportunities to deliver seamless services cost effectively, leveraging a variety of radio access technologies using both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. In order to standardize the operations of such complex environments 3GPP is currently working on IP flow mobility and mobile data offload solutions. This article proposes and evaluates a new access network selection procedure in such a combined WLAN/LTE environment. The proposed solution takes not only parameters available in the mobile node and its current and candidate access networks into account, but performs an optimization on the heterogeneous wireless network level as well. An optimization model based on an approximate solution to the well-known bin packing problem is presented. Also, there is a signaling scheme for distribution handling presented. Results from simulations performed in OPNET Modeler show improvements compared to basing handover decisions on locally available information only.     

Network-based mobility management in the evolved 3GPP core network

A key aspect of the 3GPP system architecture evolution is the specification of an evolved packet core that supports multiple access networks. The EPC enables operators to deploy and operate one common packet core network for 3GPP radio accesses (E-UTRAN, UTRAN, and GERAN), as well as other wireless and wireline access networks (e.g., eHRPD, WLAN, WIMAX, and DSL/Cable), providing the operator with a common set of services and capabilities across the networks. A key requirement of the EPC is to provide seamless mobility at the IP layer as the user moves within and between accesses. This article provides an overview of the EPC specifications that use a network-based mobility mechanism based on Proxy Mobile IPv6 to enable mobility between access networks. An important facet of providing seamless mobility for a user?s sessions across technologies is to ensure that quality of service is maintained as the user moves between accesses. An overview of the ?off-path? QoS model to supplement PMIPv6 is also provided.     

Data collection in future mobile networks

Future mobile networks will be increasingly heterogeneous. Already today, wireless LAN is used by many mobile network operators as an addition to traditional technologies like GSM and UMTS; WiMax and 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) will be added. Having heterogeneous wireless networks, one challenging research question needs to be answered: Which user should be served by which access network and when to conduct a handover? For such decisions, information on the state of networks and terminals is required. In this publication, we simulate mobile networks in which a central entity called Network Resource Management (N-RM) gives handover recommendations to mobile terminals. Based on these recommendations and local knowledge on link qualities, the terminals choose the cell to switch to. The N-RM should have a global view on the networks to give best recommendations. We designed the Generic Metering Infrastructure (GMI), a publish/subscribe system to collect information about access networks and terminals efficiently. We investigate the tradeoff between the signalling overhead caused by data collection and the quality of the handover decisions and show, how smart monitoring can reduce the amount of measurement data while ensuring the efficient use of heterogeneous networks. In addition, our simulation results show that combined local and central handover decisions significantly increase the capacity of the networks as compared to only local decisions.     

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.     

WLAN/LTE异构网络中网络选择优化算法

目前,配有多种无线接入技术的多模终端变得越来越流行,与此同时,网络运营商和服务提供商利用各种技术,力争在为用户提供无缝服务的同时,使其成本最低。为了使复杂环境下的操作标准化,3GPP目前正致力于研究IP流的移动性和移动数据卸载的解决方案。本文提出了一种在WLAN/LTE异构网络环境下接入网络选择的优化方案。方案不仅考虑了移动节点中的可用参数和它当前所关联的网络及备选网络,还对异构网络的整体性能进行了优化。文章介绍了一种基于著名的装箱问题近似解的优化模型和分布式处理信号的方案。最后用模拟器对方案进行了验证,结果表明,相比只根据本地可有信息来进行切换,上述解决方案对网络的性能有明显改善。     

WiMAX组网技术与解决方案

文章在介绍WiMAX标准、技术和相关应用的基础上,提出WiMAX组网需要考虑频率复用、认证计费和移动性管理3个主要因素.文章给出了固定应用和移动应用模式下的组网方案,探讨了WiMAX无线组网方式将经过的4个阶段:室外接入、室内接入、有缝漫游、无缝移动,认为WiMAX网络最终将融合到NGN和移动蜂窝系统中.     

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.     

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.