Proactive VHD algorithm in heterogeneous wireless networks for critical services

Abstract

Progress in the telecommunications sector has opened new scenarios where users want to access any application or service from any device anywhere at any time, connected to any network. In this environment, the Heterogenerous Wireless Networks (HWN) is the main operating infrastructure, intended to support the technical and quality needs that these users and services demand, along with the versatility and availability that comes with being able to connect to any interface. One of the most important characteristics of HWN is the possibility to connect many kinds of Radio Access Networks (RAN) like WiFi, WiMAX,GSM, UMTS, HSPA, LTE, among others. This brings many challenges in HWN surroundings, one of the most important is ensuring that a user terminal can move from one access network to another without losing connectivity and, of course, the service. The aim of this paper is to propose a Vertical Handover Decision Algorithm (VHODA) that enables a single user terminal to initiate a proactive decision based on user preferences and QoS parameters, while at the same time considering the networks conditions to avoid over burdening an interface. The development of our VHO-DA was addressed like a Multi Criteria Decision Making Problem (MCDM) in order to provide the best possible connection for critical services and maintaining load balancing in networks. © 2006-2013 by CCC Publications.