Performance Evaluation of Signal Strength and Residual Time based Vertical Handover in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract

In most of the wireless networks, signal strength is considered as the basic criteria to initiate handover. In future generation heterogeneous wireless systems, the vertical handover between different types of networks take place to satisfy demands of users. The location and velocity of mobile terminal is expected to be available in most of the modern systems. The time to reach boundary of serving cell named as Residual time is calculated using this information. The proposed mechanism makes use of signal strength and residual time to initiate handover. The threshold for residual time and hysteresis margin is determined to optimize vertical handover performance for different velocities. Simulation results show that the proposed mechanism improves handover efficiency in terms of handover rate and probability of call interruption.