Research Article
Handoff trigger nodes for hybrid IEEE 802.11 WLAN/cellular networks
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1109/QSHINE.2004.28, author={P. Khadivi and T.D. Todd and Dongmei Zhao}, title={Handoff trigger nodes for hybrid IEEE 802.11 WLAN/cellular networks}, proceedings={1st International ICST Conference on Quality of Service in Heterogeneous Wired/Wireless Networks}, publisher={IEEE}, proceedings_a={QSHINE}, year={2004}, month={12}, keywords={}, doi={10.1109/QSHINE.2004.28} }- P. Khadivi
T.D. Todd
Dongmei Zhao
Year: 2004
Handoff trigger nodes for hybrid IEEE 802.11 WLAN/cellular networks
QSHINE
IEEE
DOI: 10.1109/QSHINE.2004.28
Abstract
Future mobile handsets will often be multi-mode, containing both wireless LAN (WLAN) and cellular air interfaces. Vertical handoffs will commonly be used to pass voice calls to a cellular network when the user roams outside of WLAN radio coverage. Unfortunately, the transition from WLAN hotspot to cellular coverage is often very abrupt and leads to unacceptable call dropping rates. In this paper we propose and investigate the use of explicit WLAN/cellular handoff triggering. A simple Wi-Fi handoff trigger node (HTN) can be installed in the WLAN/cellular transition region, and generates link layer triggers which cause the initiation of the vertical handoff process. A key function provided by the HTN is to significantly reduce the call dropping rate even when there is very little collaboration between the cellular and WLAN hotspot providers. Results are presented which show that the call dropping probability can be dramatically reduced by the use of a handoff trigger node.
