Seamless Vertical Handover in WiFi and WiMAX Networks using RSS and Motion Detection: An Investigation.

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a decision making algorithm for seamless vertical handover between WiFi hotspots and an overlay WiMAX network. The inputs to the algorithm are the WiFi received signal strength (RSS) and estimated end-to-end TCP handover latency. Simulation of the algorithm using Matlab ® reveals that the distance from the WiFi reception boundary at which handover must be initiated if it is to be seamless increases with both end-to-end TCP/IP handover latency and the speed of the mobile terminal towards or away from the WiFi access point. We conclude that RSS-based seamless handovers need to be augmented with network layer information if they are to be optimal.