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.     

Immune optimization algorithm for solving vertical handoff decision problem in heterogeneous wireless network

In heterogeneous wireless network environment, wireless local area network (WLAN) is usually deployed within the coverage of a cellular network to provide users with the convenience of seamless roaming among heterogeneous wireless access networks. Vertical handoffs between the WLAN and the cellular network maybe occur frequently. As for the vertical handoff performance, there is a critical requirement for developing algorithms for connection management and optimal resource allocation for seamless mobility. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for vertical handoff decision problem, and propose a multi-objective optimization immune algorithm-based vertical handoff decision scheme. The proposed scheme can enable a wireless access network not only to balance the overall load among all base stations and access points but also maximize the collective battery lifetime of mobile terminals. Results based on a detailed performance evaluation study are also presented here to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed scheme.     

Signal threshold adaptation for vertical handoff in heterogeneous wireless networks

The convergence of heterogeneous wireless access technologies has been envisioned to characterize the next generation wireless networks. In such converged systems, the seamless and efficient handoff between different access technologies (vertical handoff) is essential and remains a challenging problem. The heterogeneous co-existence of access technologies with largely different characteristics results in handoff asymmetry that differs from the traditional intra-network handoff (horizontal handoff) problem. In the case where one network is preferred, the vertical handoff decision should be carefully executed, based on the wireless channel state, network layer characteristics, as well as application requirements. In this paper, we study the performance of vertical handoff using the integration of 3G cellular and wireless local area networks as an example. In particular, we investigate the effect of an application-based signal strength threshold on an adaptive preferred-network lifetime-based handoff strategy, in terms of the signalling load, available bandwidth, and packet delay for an inter-network roaming mobile. We present an analytical framework to evaluate the converged system performance, which is validated by computer simulation. We show how the proposed analytical model can be used to provide design guidelines for the optimization of vertical handoff in the next generation integrated wireless networks. This article is the extended version of a paper presented in IFIP Networking 2005 Ahmed H. Zahran is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto. He received both his M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Electronics and Electrical Communication Department in the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University in 2002 and 2000 respectively, where he was holding teaching and research positions. Since September 2003, he has been working as a research assistant in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto under the supervision of Professor Ben Liang. His research interest is wireless communication and networking with an emphasis on the design and analysis of networking protocols and algorithms. Ben Liang received honors simultaneous B.Sc. (valedictorian) and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, New York, in 1997 and the PhD degree in Electrical Engineering with Computer Science minor from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 2001. In the 2001–2002 academic year, he was a visiting lecturer and post-doctoral research associate at Cornell University. He joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in 2002. His current research interests are in the areas of mobile networking and wireless multimedia systems. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, IEEE, and ACM and serves on the organization and technical program committees of a number of major conferences each year. Aladdin Saleh earned his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from London University, England. Since March 1998, Dr. Saleh has been working in the Wireless Technology Department of Bell Canada, the largest service provider of wireless, wire-line, and Internet in Canada. He worked as a senior application architect in the wireless data group working on several projects among them the wireless application protocol (WAP) and the location-based services. Later, he led the work on several key projects in the broadband wireless network access planning group including planning of the IEEE 802.16/ Wimax, the IEEE 802.11/ WiFi, and the integration of these technologies with the 3G cellular network including Mobile IP (MIP) deployment. Dr. Saleh also holds the position of Adjunct Full Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Waterloo University, Canada since January 2004. He is currently conducting several joint research projects with the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto on IEEE 802.16-Wimax, MIMO technology, interworking of IEEE 802.11 WLAN and 3G cellular networks, and next generation wireless networks. Prior to joining Bell Canada, Dr. Saleh worked as a faculty member at different universities and was Dean and Chairman of Department for several years. Dr. Saleh is a Fellow of IEE and a Senior Member of IEEE.     

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。     

A multi-hop heterogeneous cluster-based optimization algorithm for wireless sensor networks

Wireless Networks - With the growth of different design goals and application requirements, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been increasingly popular for a wide variety of purposes, e.g.,...     

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.     

异构网络中基于终端决策的通用垂直切换算法

垂直切换是异构网络中的关键技术,目前已有的垂直切换算法大多是针对特定的网络或切换过程的某个环节,提出一种与网络类型无关的通用垂直切换算法,仿真结果表明该算法在支持多任务,有效利用能量方面比传统方法有很大的改进.     

Context-aware parallel handover optimization in heterogeneous wireless networks

Annals of Telecommunications - The key idea of this paper is to a use cross-layer triggering concept in order to control the vertical handover (VHO) in heterogeneous networks. Current mobility...     

An adaptive clustering algorithm for dynamic heterogeneous wireless sensor networks

Wireless Networks - In the heterogeneous wireless sensor networks, most algorithms assume that nodes are heterogeneous in terms of their initial energy (we refer to as static energy heterogeneity)....     

An energy optimization in wireless sensor networks by using genetic algorithm

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are used for several commercial and military applications, by collecting, processing and distributing a wide range of data. Maximizing the battery life of WSNs is crucial in improving the performance of WSN. In the present study, different variations of genetic algorithm (GA) method have been implemented independently on energy models for data communication of WSNs with the objective to find out the optimal energy \(\hbox {(E)}\) consumption conditions. Each of the GA methods results in an optimal set of parameters for minimum energy consumption in WSN related to the type of selected energy model for data communication, while the best performance of the GA method [energy consumption \((\hbox {E}=3.49\times 10^{-4}\,\hbox {J})\)] is obtained in WSN for communication distance (d) \({\ge }87\,\hbox {m}\) in between the sensor cluster head and a base station.     

Remote patient monitoring service using heterogeneous wireless access networks: architecture and optimization

Remote patient monitoring is an eHealth service, which is used to collect and transfer biosignal data from the patients to the eHealth service provider (e.g., healthcare center). A heterogeneous wireless access-based remote patient monitoring system is presented in which multiple wireless technologies are integrated to support continuous biosignal monitoring in presence of patient mobility. A patient-attached monitoring device with a heterogeneous wireless transceiver collects biosignal data from the sensors and transmits the data through the radio access network (RAN) to the eHeath service provider. In this system, the eHealth service provider reserves wireless bandwidth (or connections) from a network service provider in a proactive manner as well as in an on-demand basis. To determine the optimal number of connections to be reserved pro-actively so that the network access cost is minimized, a stochastic programming problem is formulated considering the randomness of service demand due to the mobility of the patients. Since different biosignal data can have different quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, traffic scheduling is used in the patient-attached device which determines whether to transmit and what to transmit over an available wireless connection. To make the optimal scheduling decision, an optimization problem is formulated as a constrained Markov decision process (CMDP). The objective of this formulation is to minimize the connection cost. The proposed system architecture and the optimization formulations will be useful for the eHealth service provider to provide flexible and cost-effective monitoring service to remote/mobile patients.     

Optimal joint utility based load balancing algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks

The rapid development of mobile broadband services with continuously increasing traffic volumes has resulted in a number of challenges, including ubiquitous network coverage, high bandwidth, and reliable services for reasonable price, etc. To address these challenges, evolved packet system (EPS) is proposed as the evolution of the packet core network. While resource management and load balancing issues in EPS are discussed in 3GPP standardization, relatively few research works consider mechanism design for load information monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore, even though some load balancing algorithms have been proposed for integrated networks, the load balancing scheme design which achieves the optimization of joint system performance has not been extensively studied. In this paper, an inter-access system anchor based load balancing mechanism is introduced which performs load monitoring and evaluation for access gateways and networks, and an optimal load balancing algorithm is proposed for heterogeneous integrated networks. To characterize the performance of integrated networks, the concept of utility function is introduced and the comprehensive performance of integrated networks which support both single type service and multimedia service is modeled mathematically. Applying vertical handoff as an efficient mechanism for achieving load balancing, the optimal number of handoff users is obtained through solving the optimization problem. Numerical results demonstrate that load balancing between access networks can be achieved, and the optimal number of handoff users corresponding to the maximal joint network utility can be obtained.     

WOA-NN: a decision algorithm for vertical handover in heterogeneous networks

The heterogeneous network of a 4th generation not always support better communication and mobility between the Wireless Access Networks. Hence, the vertical handoff is highly necessitated. This paper establishes vertical handover, which is context-aware in a heterogeneous environment with WiMax and WiFi. Successful handover results with the better determination of handover points. So, an Artificial Neural Network-based network model to understand the network characteristics is firstly developed. Under simulated environment, the Received Signal Strength (RSS) of the heterogeneous network is observed to construct the training library. The trained network predicts RSS for resolving the handover points in the heterogeneous network. To ensure precise learning of the neural network about the RSS network characteristics, a renowned Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is developed. The performance of WOA-NN model is compared with the conventional Levenberg–Marquardt-Neural Network, Fire Fly-Neural Network, Particle Swarm Optimization-Neural Network and Grey Wolf Optimization-Neural Network through throughput, handover, predicted RSS and Mean Absolute Error analyses. The predicted RSS of the proposed WOA-NN-based network model seems nearly closer to the actual model, attaining effective handoff.

     

Maximizing lifetime of large-scale wireless sensor networks using multi-objective whale optimization algorithm

Telecommunication Systems - The sink nodes in large-scale wireless sensor networks (LSWSNs) are responsible for receiving and processing the collected data from sensor nodes. Identifying the...     

Hybrid algorithm optimization for coverage problem in wireless sensor networks

Telecommunication Systems - With the continuous development of evolutionary computing, many excellent algorithms have emerged, which are applied in all walks of life to solve various practical...     

Performance evaluation of softer vertical handovers in multiuser heterogeneous wireless networks

In the future fifth generation (5G) networked society, devices will integrate heterogeneous radio access technologies (RATs) to improve the network performance and the user quality of experience. In this paper, we focus on softer vertical handover (SRVH), discussing its feasibility and its performance in a multiuser scenario. Specifically, a new taxonomy for vertical handovers is proposed to resolve ambiguities in current terminology and technical issues related to SRVH implementation are discussed. Then, a simple but accurate analytical model is proposed to evaluate the performance of SRVH and results are provided with reference to best effort services in the presence of two RATs. Two case studies are considered, a mobile controlled approach with uncoordinated RATs and a network controlled approach with coordination among RATs. Results demonstrate that SRVHs are useful to allow finer granularity in resource allocation when there is coordination among RATs, although they fail to provide throughput improvements if they are selfishly performed by mobile terminals.     

Energy efficiency optimization in MIMO heterogeneous wireless powered communication networks

Telecommunication Systems - This paper studies the energy efficiency (EE) optimization problem in multiple-user multiple-input–multiple-output heterogeneous wireless powered communication...     

异构无线网络混合接入与优化机制

在LTE与WSN异构无线网络架构中,有效降低信道接入时的碰撞概率从而提高网络容量吞吐量是影响异构无线网络性能的关键因素。文中建立混合接入模型及超帧结构,完成时分复用结构下的冲突避免,降低了WSN网络的能量消耗。通过时隙优化机制,解决当接入簇首的LTE UE数量变化频繁时竞争时隙配置不合理所导致的网络资源浪费。仿真结果表明,随着LTE UE的数量的增加,协作机制的性能优于传统的随机竞争接入机制,且协作机制的吞吐量性能呈现线性增长。当接入时隙相对充足簇资源利用趋向饱和时,接入概率和网络吞吐量性能均可保持稳定。     

Performance analysis of a dynamic handoff scheme in wireless networks with heterogeneous call arrival processes

The Guard Channel Scheme (GCS) and Handoff Queueing Scheme (HQS) are the popular and practical strategies to prioritize handoff calls in wireless cellular networks. A key issue of giving handoff calls the higher priority is how to achieve a tradeoff among the handoff call blocking probability, new call blocking probability and handoff delay. This paper extends GCS and HQS and presents an efficient handoff scheme that dynamically manages the channels reserved for handoff calls depending on the current status of the handoff queue. A three-dimensional Markov model is developed to analyze the performance of this scheme and investigate the desirable performance tradeoff. The Poisson process and Markov-Modulated-Poisson-Process (MMPP) are used to model the arrival processes of new and handoff calls, respectively. The accuracy of this model is evaluated through the extensive comparison of the analytical results to those obtained from discrete-event simulation experiments. Performance measures in terms of the mean number of calls in the system, aggregate response time, aggregate call blocking probability, handoff call blocking probability, new call blocking probability and handoff delay are evaluated. The analytical model is used to investigate the effects of the number of channels originally reserved for handoff calls, the number of dynamic channels, and the ratio of the rate of handover calls to the aggregate arrival rate on the system performance.