Title: Interworking of 3G cellular networks and wireless LANs

Authors: Wei Song, Weihua Zhuang, Aladdin Saleh

Addresses: Centre for Wireless Communications, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Centre for Wireless Communications, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Wireless Technology Department, Bell Canada, 5099 Creekbank Road, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N2, Canada

Abstract: The Third Generation (3G) cellular networks provide ubiquitous connectivity but low data rates, whereas Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) can offer much higher data rates but only cover smaller geographic areas. Their complementary characteristics make the integration of the two networks a promising trend for next-generation wireless networks. With combined strengths, the integrated networks will provide both wide-area coverage and high-rate data services in hot spots. There are many aspects involved in their interworking, such as mobility, security and Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning. In this paper, we present a survey of most recent interworking mechanisms proposed in the literature, and outline some important open issues to achieve seamless integration.

Keywords: interworking; tight coupling; loose coupling; mobility management; quality of service; QoS provisioning; 3G cellular networks; third generation; wireless LANS; WLANs; wireless networks; integration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWMC.2007.016718

International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing, 2007 Vol.2 No.4, pp.237 - 247

Published online: 18 Jan 2008 *

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