Minimization of handoff latency by area comparison method using GPS based map

Abstract

Handoff has become a drastic drawback in mobile communication system especially in urban areas owing to the limited coverage area of access points (AP). When a mobile node (MN) moves outside a range of its current access point it needs to perform a link layer handoff. This causes data loss and interruption in communication. In this paper we have proposed a process to minimize the handoff latency with the aid of GPS by minimizing the number of APs to be scanned by the MN during each handoff procedure. We have introduced a new algorithm based on the simplest concept of area. From GPS we can get an idea about the trajectory of motion of the MN and also the position of the neighbor APs. So taking these two factors into consideration we can reduce the scanning delay of the handoff to a great extent and thereby reducing the entire handoff latency. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.