Mixed Method: An Aggregated Method for Handover Decision in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract

The next generation of wireless networks is marked by a variety of access networks. A mobile user desires to run a service seamlessly regardless of his access network. This makes the continuity of service during handover and QoS relevant issues to deal with. In this context, Media Independent Handover (MIH) standard was developed to facilitate the interworking between IEEE and non-IEEE Access technologies. This paper suggests an aggregated method for the best access network selection. This method combines Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and VIse Kriterijumska Optimizacija kompromisno Resenja (VIKOR) decision algorithms together with Shannon entropy to assign handover criteria weights. Entropy is an adequate tool to weigh up the handover criteria. Compared with TOPSIS and VIKOR, mixed method performs better in terms of handovers number, packet loss rate, end to end delay, and throughput. Simulations are realized within the scope of MIH using NS3 simulator.