Autor(es):
Pedro Neves 
; Ricardo Matos ; Susana Sargento
Data: 2013
Origem: Electrónica e Telecomunicações
Assunto(s): IEEE 802.16; WiMAX Networks; mobility; handovers; IEEE 802.16; WiMAX Networks; mobility; handovers
Descrição
The anticipated deployment of IEEE 802.16-based wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) will usher a new era in broadband wireless communications. The adoption of WiMAX technology for remote areas, for example, can address challenging scenarios in a cost-effective manner. While WiMAX Forum documents describe an architecture that inherently supports Quality of Service and mobility, several areas are left uncovered. We present an architecture which integrates WiMAX, Quality of Service and mobility management frameworks over heterogeneous networks, developing mechanisms for seamless handovers.Our approach takes into consideration the expected deployment of, on the one hand, the IEEE 802.21 (MediaIndependent Handover) proposed standard and, on theother, the IETF-standardized Next Steps in Signallingframework. The first contributions of this paper comprise aspecification of the mechanisms for make-before-breakvertical handovers taking Quality of Service signalling intoaccount and integration in a heterogeneous environment.The latter contribution is an empirical evaluation of theproposed architecture using a testbed demonstrator. Wequantify the processing delays of the main components in our prototype implementation when a terminal hands overbetween different access technologies, demonstrating thepotential of our proposed architecture. The anticipated deployment of IEEE 802.16-based wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) will usher a new era in broadband wireless communications. The adoption of WiMAX technology for remote areas, for example, can address challenging scenarios in a cost-effective manner. While WiMAX Forum documents describe an architecture that inherently supports Quality of Service and mobility, several areas are left uncovered. We present an architecture which integrates WiMAX, Quality of Service and mobility management frameworks over heterogeneous networks, developing mechanisms for seamless handovers.Our approach takes into consideration the expected deployment of, on the one hand, the IEEE 802.21 (MediaIndependent Handover) proposed standard and, on theother, the IETF-standardized Next Steps in Signallingframework. The first contributions of this paper comprise aspecification of the mechanisms for make-before-breakvertical handovers taking Quality of Service signalling intoaccount and integration in a heterogeneous environment.The latter contribution is an empirical evaluation of theproposed architecture using a testbed demonstrator. Wequantify the processing delays of the main components in our prototype implementation when a terminal hands overbetween different access technologies, demonstrating thepotential of our proposed architecture.
