Signal Strength Ratio Based Vertical Handoff Decision Algorithms in Integrated Heterogeneous Networks

In this paper, we propose the signal strength ratio (SSR) based vertical handoff (VHO) algorithms and the averaged received signal strength (ARSS) based VHO algorithms for integrated networks of wireless local area network (WLAN) and 3G network. The performance of our proposed VHO algorithms with hysteresis and dwell timer approaches has been investigated for two different topologies of integrated heterogeneous network. Two different network topologies consider two different types of radio cell arrangement. A mobile terminal (MT) is moving within the coverage area of WLAN and 3G with constant velocity. The received signal strength at the MT of interest is measured at different sampling instant. The received signal strength with other additional parameters is used to determine the condition of VHO. We evaluate the decision delay, and the number of vertical handoffs between WLAN and 3G network using the proposed VHO algorithms. We compare the performance of our proposed VHO algorithms with existing RSS based VHO algorithm. Our proposed SSR and ARSS based VHO algorithms provide less decision delay as compared to existing RSS based VHO algorithm. Further, ARSS with dwell timer based VHO algorithm provides better performance than other VHO algorithms.     

Heterogeneous Wireless Networks: Configuration and Vertical Handoff Management

Vertical handoff is one of the most important issues for the next generation heterogeneous wireless networks. However, in many situations, unbeneficial vertical handoffs occur across intersystem heterogeneous networks cause network performance degradation. Therefore, we propose a novel configuration architecture that can be deployed in the next generation of wireless networks. Second, we propose a predictive and adaptive Vertical Handoff Decision Scheme that optimizes the handoff initiation time as well as selection of the most optimal network. The proposed vertical handoff decision algorithm considers the technology type as well as the Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR), the Mobile Station (MS) velocity, the user preferences, the applications requirements and the terminal capabilities as the most important factors to make vertical handoff decision. In order to minimize handoff costs, the proposed decision algorithm uses the dwell timer concept. The handoff costs are analyzed in terms of unnecessary and unbeneficial handoffs rate.The simulation results show that the reduction of unnecessary handoffs proposed in our vertical handoff decision scheme reduces the handoff blocking probability, the packets loss rate and the handoff overhead     

An efficient handoff algorithm based on received signal strength and wireless transmission loss in hierarchical cell networks

Compared with the macrocell systems, the femtocell systems allow users to obtain broadband service with high data rate by using lower costs of transmit power, operation and capital expenditure. Traditional handoff algorithms used in macrocells cannot well satisfy the mobility of users efficiently in hierarchical macro/femto cell networks. In this paper based on the received signal strength (RSS) and wireless transmission loss, a new handoff algorithm in hierarchical cell networks called RWTL-HO is proposed, which considers the discrepancy in transmit power between macrocell and femtocell base stations. The simulation results show that compared with the conventional algorithm, the proposed algorithm improves the utilization of femtocells by doubling the number of handoffs; and in comparison with the handoff algorithm based on combining the RSSs from both macro and femto cell base stations, reduces half the number of redundant handoffs.     

基于模糊逻辑的多终端协同的垂直切换决策算法

针对异构网下多终端协同的垂直切换决策问题,提出一种基于模糊逻辑和层次分析法的垂直切换决策算法,它分为2部分:切换时机的判断和虚拟终端的构建.首先采用模糊逻辑判断切换的时机,然后采用层次分析算法与简单加权求和结合的方法选择虚拟终端的最优构成方式.仿真结果表明,算法能够降低切换次数和不必要切换率,并且能够充分体现应用需求和用户偏好.     

Two-state pattern-recognition handoffs for corner-turningsituations

Handoff algorithms are used in wireless cellular systems to decide when and to which base station to handoff. Traditional handoff algorithms generally cannot keep both the average number of unnecessary handoffs and the handoff decision delay low. They do not exploit the relative constancy of path loss and shadow fading effects at any given location around a base station. However, handoff algorithms with both a negligible number of unnecessary handoffs and a negligible decision delay can be realized by exploiting this information. One example is the set of handoff algorithms using pattern-recognition introduced in previous work. In this paper, we describe how pattern-recognition handoff algorithms can be applied to the problem of turning a corner. This can be used as part of an integrated pattern-recognition handoff algorithm or together with a traditional handoff algorithm, in which case the pattern-recognition handles only the special cases like turning a corner     

Intelligent Vertical Handoffs between Heterogeneous Communication Networks

1IntroductionWith the increasing demand for mobile access ,theInternet has to provide not only li mited mobility,suchas WLAN[1 ~3]access ,but also worldwide mobility,asexemplified by Mobile IP[4 ~7]to meet the user require-ments in terms of data rate and mobility.In particular ,it is desired that when a user stays in the hotspot cov-ered by WLAN, he can access the Internet throughWLAN,and when he goes out of the hotspot ,the on-going connection should not be dropped,but is insteadhanded …     

Research on vertical handoff decision based on service history information and SINR for heterogeneous wireless networks

In this letter, we propose a SH (Service History) and SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) based PROMETHEE (SHS-PROMETHEE) vertical handoff (VHO) decision algorithm. An attribute matrix is constructed considering the SH information and the SINR in the source network and the equivalent SINR in the target network and so on. Handoff decision meeting multi-attribute QoS requirement is made according to the traffic features. The weight relation of decision elements is determined with LS method. Finally decision is made using PROMETHEE algorithm based on the attribute matrix and weight vector. The simulation results have shown that the SHS-PROMETHEE algorithm can reduce unnecessary handoffs and provide satisfactory vertical handoff performance.     

Seamless vertical handoff using modified weed optimization algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks

In the global scenario, a variety of wireless access networks are available. Different types of applications such as real time, nonreal time, and high bandwidth availability are used for heterogeneous wireless networks. Therefore, it is necessary for a service provider to make an appropriate connection support. For better performance, connections are to be exchanged among the different networks using seamless vertical handoff (VHO). The proposed algorithm shows the effect of optimization technique, which involves handoff decision process using vertical handoff triggering and selection of the network. The handoff triggering is initiated by using the received signal strength (RSS). In traditional method, handoff triggering is initiated by using RSS only. This method, modified weed optimization (M-WO) algorithm, reduces the unnecessary handoff by considering both RSS and velocity of the mobile node in handoff triggering. The parameters such as battery lifetime, handoff call dropping rate, load, dynamic weights adaptation and so on are to be considered individually or combined to make an effective network selection process. This paper highlights a novel effect ofM-WOalgorithm for decision making during the VHO. Our effort is to essentially optimize the system load, so that it reduces the handoff call dropping rate and the battery power consumption of the mobile node (MN). Weight of each QoS metrics is adjusted along with the networks changing conditions to trace the M-WO. Therefore, the novel VHO decision-making algorithm is superior to the existing SSF and OPTG methods. The simulation results show that the performance ofM-WOalgorithm is far better than SSF andOPTGmethods in terms of load, handoff call dropping rate and battery lifetime of MN.     

一种基于模糊逻辑的预判决辅助垂直切换算法

针对全IP核心网络的不同无线接入技术,提出一种基于预判决模糊逻辑的垂直切换算法.引入预判决方法有效减少不必要的数据量和系统开销.采用前向差分预测能够较准确地预测出下一时刻的信号强度,提高了切换触发速度和切换判决精度.采用模糊逻辑的方法,以接收信号强度、预测信号强度及可用带宽作为网络参量设计模糊逻辑控制器,进而采用归一量化的方法改进模糊逻辑系统,得到网络的综合性能值进行垂直切换判决.仿真分析表明,本文提出的算法能够较准确做出切换判决,有效消除乒乓效应,提高系统性能.     

Adaptive vertical handoff algorithm in heterogeneous networks

The integration of cellular network (CN) and wireless local area network (WLAN) is the trend of the next generation mobile communication systems, and nodes will handoff between the two kinds of networks. The received signal strength (RSS) is the dominant factor considered when handoff occurs. In order to improve the handoff efficiency, this study proposes an adaptive decision algorithm for vertical handoff on the basis of fast Fourier transform (FFT). The algorithm makes handoff decision after analyzing the signal strength fluctuation which is caused by slow fading through FFT. Simulations show that the algorithm reduces the number of handoff by 35%, shortens the areas influenced by slow fading, and enables the nodes to make full use of WLAN in communication compared with traditional algorithms.     

Optimal scheduling of handoffs in cellular networks

The phenomenon of hard handoffs (as applicable to FDMA- and TDMA-based networks) as well as soft handoffs (as applicable to DS/CDMA-based networks) is formulated as stochastic optimization problems. The signals received by a mobile user are treated as stochastic processes with associated rewards, which are functions of some measurable characteristics of the received signals, while the handoff is associated with a switching penalty. This formulation captures the trade-offs involved in handoffs in a flexible manner and captures many facets of popular cellular communication systems in use currently. Using dynamic programming, necessary and sufficient conditions for determining the optimal base station(s) the mobile should be associated with during each decision epoch are derived. For the cases where the above-mentioned necessary and sufficient conditions fail to determine an optimal decision, “limited lookahead” arguments are used for determining handoff decisions. The decisions are taken in a decentralized manner, which makes its implementation easier compared to centralized algorithms. Simulation results show that for the hard handoffs, performance gain by the proposed algorithm over the simpler threshold algorithms proposed in the literature is small; however, for the case of soft handoffs, the proposed algorithm offers considerable improvement over the algorithm proposed in the IS-95 standard     

Pre-scan based fast handoff scheme for enterprise IEEE 802.11 networks

In IEEE 802.11 networks, many access points (APs) are required to cover a large area due to the limited coverage range of APs, and frequent handoffs may occur while a station (STA) is moving in an area covered by several APs. However, traditional handoff mechanisms employed at STAs introduce a few hundred milliseconds delay, which is far longer than what can be tolerated by some multimedia streams such as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), it is a challenging issue for supporting seamless handoff service in IEEE 802.11 networks. In this paper, we propose a pre-scan based fast handoff scheme within an IEEE 802.11 enterprise wireless local area network (EWLAN) environment. The proposed scheme can help STA obtain the best alternative AP in advance after the pre-scan process, and when the handoff is actually triggered, STA can perform the authentication and reassociation process toward the alternative AP directly. Furthermore, we adopt Kalman filter to minimize the fluctuation of received signal strength (RSS), thus reducing the unnecessary pre-scan process and handoffs. We performed simulations to evaluate performance, and the simulation results show that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the handoff delay.     

A pattern recognition system for handoff algorithms

In wireless cellular systems, handoff algorithms decide when and to which base station to handoff. Traditional handoff algorithms generally cannot keep both the average number of unnecessary handoffs and the handoff decision delay low. They do not exploit the relative constancy of path loss and shadow fading effects at any given location around a base station. This information can in fact be used to improve the efficiency of handoff algorithms, as we do in our new handoff algorithms using statistical pattern recognition. Handoff algorithms with both a negligible number of unnecessary handoffs and a negligible decision delay can therefore be realized     

一种新的无线异构网络的自适应垂直切换算法

针对当前无线异构网络融合技术中的垂直切换机制,提出了一种以平均接收信号强度为评价指标,并由此指标判断可能的运动趋势的自适应垂直切换算法。仿真结果表明:相比于传统的固定门限的平均接收信号强度垂直切换算法,提出的方法能较好地预测并提前触发该发生的切换,改善切换性能。     

Artificial Neural Network Based Vertical Handoff Algorithm for Reducing Handoff Latency

One of the most challenging topics for next generation wireless networks is vertical handoff concept since several wireless technologies are assumed to cooperate. Plenty of parameters related to user preferences, application requirements, and network conditions, such as; data rate, service cost, network latency, speed of mobile, battery level, interference ratio and etc. must be considered in vertical handoff process along with traditional RSSI information. In this study, a new artificial neural network based handoff decision algorithm is proposed in order to reduce the handoff latency of smart terminal deployed in aforementioned wireless heterogeneous infrastructures. The prominent parameters data rate, monetary cost and RSSI information are taken as inputs of the developed vertical handoff decision system. Performance results of the proposed system are also compared with those of classical Multiple Attribute Decision Making method Simple Additive Weighting, and of some other artificial intelligence based algorithms. According to the results obtained, the proposed neural network based vertical handoff decision algorithm is able to determine whether a handoff is necessary or not properly, and selects the best candidate access network considering the abovementioned parameters. The results also show that, the neural network based algorithm developed significantly reduces the handoff latency while the number of handoffs, which is another vital performance metric, is still reasonable.     

星地融合网络中基于Q学习的切换算法研究

基于地面辅助基站（ATC）的星地融合网络（MSS-ATC）具有覆盖范围广、用户体验佳的特点,切换机制是该融合网络主要研究的问题之一。针对卫星链路时延大、卫星网用户速度范围广的特点,综合考虑了用户接收信号强度（RSS）和用户运动速度,提出了一种基于卡尔曼滤波和Q学习的切换决策算法。比较了所提算法与传统算法在链路衰减率、切换次数和网络收益的性能,实验结果表明所提算法在性能上得到了很大的提升,并且能很好地适应高速运动状态。     

无线异构网络的垂直切换算法研究

以通用移动通信系统(UMTS)与无线局域网(WLAN)融合为例,研究无线异构网络的垂直切换算法。由于垂直切换算法应考虑因素的复杂性以及不同网络性能的各异性,有必要对现有算法作出归纳总结比较,并据此提出新的垂直切换算法。该算法以代价函数为基础,将稳定周期与切换目标网络和当前服务网络的效用函数联系起来,实现移动节点自适应的切换判决。提出的算法能有效减少不必要的切换,增强异构网络的适应性。     

基于运动趋势的模糊逻辑垂直切换算法

随着无线异构网络的融合,移动性管理技术成为其关键问题,而切换管理又是移动性管理的重要部分。针对垂直切换管理提出了一种基于运动趋势的模糊逻辑垂直切换算法。算法分为预判定、模糊逻辑控制及切换判决3个过程。首先,在预判定阶段根据MN的运动趋势及接收信号强度滤除掉不适宜接入WLAN的网络信息,从而有效减少不必要的数据量和系统开销;其次,将接收信号强度、网络的可用带宽和网络开销送入模糊逻辑控制器,通过参数的归一量化最终得到网络综合性能值(VCPN);最后,通过综合考虑VCPN和驻留时间来进行网络切换判决。仿真结果显示,该算法能够有针对性地做出切换判决,有效消除乒乓效应,提高网络切换性能。     

An Adaptive Hard Handoff Algorithm for Mobile Cellular Communication Systems

In this letter, we propose an adaptive hard handoff algorithm with a dynamic hysteresis value based on the received signal strength from the serving base station, for mobile cellular communication systems. A discrete‐time method is presented to evaluate handoff algorithms analytically. Performance is evaluated in terms of the average number of handoffs, the probability of link degradation, and the average handoff delay. Numerical results and simulations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the handoff algorithm with fixed hysteresis values and the handoff algorithm using both threshold and hysteresis.     

WCDMA的硬切换技术

WCDMA的切换可以分为软切换(包括更软切换)、硬切换、前向切换以及系统间切换。一个典型的切换过程包括测量控制、测量报告、切换判决和执行切换。详细介绍了WCDMA的硬切换技术、信令流程,以及在现网中的实现。建议设备厂商尽量支持各种硬切换触发方式,使运营商有更多的选择。希望在正式商用时,硬切换不成为影响网络质量的重要因素。