Title: The MIH-based vertical handover method for Wi-Fi and WiMAX integrated network

Authors: Ying-Hong Wang, Chih-Peng Hsu, Kuo-Feng Huang

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Tamkang University, 151 Ying-Chuan Road, Tamsui 251, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Tamkang University, 151 Ying-Chuan Road, Tamsui 251, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Tamkang University, 151 Ying-Chuan Road, Tamsui 251, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: The integrated network of WLAN and WMAN can take advantage of them to offer high quality service. Vertical seamless handover between different wireless systems is possible while the internet|s quality of service (QoS) mechanisms are difficult to integrate into the handover procedures. IEEE 802.21 media independent handover (MIH) is developing standards to enable handover and interoperability between heterogeneous network types including both 802 and non 802 networks. This protocol defines method to provide the link layer intelligence and other related network information to the upper layers to optimise handovers between heterogeneous media. In this paper, we propose a scheme to make vertical handover between IEEE 802.11 WLAN network and IEEE 802.16 worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network based on IEEE.21 MIH. We propose the method to support vertical handover using MIH for two different scenarios. According to the simulation results, this proposal can decrease system overhead caused by handover and provides session continuity for internet users.

Keywords: WiFi; wireless fidelity; WiMAX; worldwide interoperability; microwave access; IEEE.21 MIH; media independent handover; vertical handover; network integration; IEEE 802.11 WLAN; wireless LANS; local area networks; IEEE 802.16; system overhead; session continuity; internet users.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAACS.2011.040990

International Journal of Autonomous and Adaptive Communications Systems, 2011 Vol.4 No.3, pp.319 - 334

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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