IEEE 802.11 roaming and authentication in wireless LAN/cellular mobile networks

A wireless LAN service integration architecture based on current wireless LAN hot spots is proposed so that migration to a new service becomes easier and cost effective. The proposed architecture offers wireless LAN seamless roaming in wireless LAN/cellular mobile networks. In addition, a link-layer-assisted mobile IP handoff mechanism is introduced to improve the network/domain switching quality in terms of handoff delay and packet loss. An application layer end-to-end authentication and key negotiation scheme is proposed to overcome the open-air connection problem existing in wireless LAN deployment. The scheme provides a general solution for Internet applications running on a mobile station under various authentication scenarios and keeps the communications private to other wireless LAN users and foreign network. A functional demonstration of the scheme is given. The research results can contribute to rapid deployment of wireless LANs.     

Fast and reliable handoff for vehicular networks

A layer-3 mobility management scheme for an all-IP Wireless Access Network (WAN), and in particular for vehicular networks, is developed in this paper. The proposed method enables fast and reliable handoff. This feature is extremely important for high speed vehicular networks. Since vehicles are characterized by likely-predictable path, as well as very high speed, handoff events can and should be predicted in order to achieve fast and reliable handoff. As it is shown in this study, the proposed scheme can significantly reduce the packet loss ratio caused by frequent handoff events experienced by high speed vehicles. This scheme is topology-independent in the sense that it does not assume any network topology. The key idea is to use a topology-learning algorithm that enables to perform localized mobility management, by efficiently re-selecting a Mobility Anchor Point (MAP) node. The goal of the proposed scheme is to maintain a continues connection subject to user-dependent delay constraints, while minimizing the signaling cost and packet loss ratio associated with handoff events. This scheme is consistent with the existing mobility management schemes currently used in Mobile IP (MIP) and cellular networks, and it fits into the Hierarchical Mobile IPv6 (HMIPv6) scheme defined in Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6) for integrating mobile terminals with the Internet wired backbone.     

A Proactive mobile‐initiated fast handoff scheme using the multihomed approach

Mobile IP (MIP) defines a mobility management for mobile users to continuously access data when the currently attachment is changed to another network. However, when mobile node (MN) roams between network segments, the handoff latency results in packet losses and transmission delay. In this paper, we propose a multihomed fast handoff scheme (MFH‐MIP) to decrease the handoff cost. In the proposed MFH‐MIP scheme, each MN is implemeted with the link layer trigger and multihomed techniques. Based on the link layer trigger, MN can collect signal strengths of nearby access points (APs) and switch to a new link automatically when the old link becomes unsuitable to connect. Using the multihomed technique, MN can prepare for handoff using two (or more) interfaces, in which (i) one is connected with the old link to receive packets and (ii) the other one is used to access nearby APs and select the most suitable one as the new link, in parellel. In this way, MN can continuously transmit and receive packets during handoff. Based on the proposed method, MN can roam smoothly among different networks in the wireless environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于IPv6的快速切换改进方案

在移动IP网络中,当前的移动性管理方案由于其基本协议的切换时延较大、丢包率较高而不能适应实时业务和移动通信的要求,所以需要改善移动性管理策略的切换性能,尽量实现无缝切换和零丢包率。提出了一种基于移动IPv6的快速切换的改进方案,采用一种新的地址分配方式使得移动节点能够在移动至新的网络后迅速获取新的转交地址,有效地减少了切换所产生的时延和丢包率,具有较好的切换性能。     

Network mobility protocol for vehicular ad hoc networks

The goal of the network mobility management is to effectively reduce the complexity of handoff procedure and keep mobile devices connecting to the Internet. When users are going to leave an old subnet and enter a new subnet, the handoff procedure is executed on the mobile device, and it may break off the real‐time service, such as VoIP or mobile TV, because of the mobility of mobile devices. Because a vehicle is moving so fast, it may cause the handoff and packet loss problems. Both of the problems will lower down the throughput of the network. To overcome these problems, we propose a novel network mobility protocol for vehicular ad hoc networks. In a highway, because every car is moving in a fixed direction at a high speed, a car adopting our protocol can acquire an IP address from the vehicular ad hoc network through the vehicle‐to‐vehicle communications. The vehicle can rely on the assistance of a front vehicle to execute the prehandoff procedure, or it may acquire a new IP address through multihop relays from the car on the lanes of the same or opposite direction and thus may reduce the handoff delay and maintain the connectivity to the Internet. Simulation results have shown that the proposed scheme is able to reduce both the handoff delay and packet loss rate. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Air interface switching and performance analysis for fast vertical handoff in cellular network and WLAN interworking

The integration of wireless local area network (WLAN) hotspot and the 3G cellular networks is imminently the future mode of public access networks. One of the key elements for the successful integration is vertical handoff between the two heterogeneous networks. Service disruption may occur during the vertical handoff because of the IP layer handoff activities, such as registration, binding update, routing table update, etc. In this paper, the network interface switching and registration process are proposed for the integrated WLAN/cellular network. Two types of fast vertical handoff protocols based on bicasting and non‐bicasting supporting real‐time traffic, such as voice over IP, are modeled. The performance of a bicasting based handoff scheme is analyzed and compared with that of fast handoff without bicasting. Numerical results and the simulation are given to show that packet loss rate can be reduced by the bicasting during handoff scheme without increasing bandwidth on both wireless interfaces. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the Use of Ad Hoc Cooperation for Seamless Vertical Handoff and Its Performance Evaluation

In heterogeneous network environments, it is very important for users to provide seamless services while satisfying quality-of-service, regardless of the connected access network. In this paper, we apply a concept of ad hoc cooperation for the vertical handoff in the heterogeneous network. For the seamless vertical handoff of mobile nodes, a neighbor ad hoc node assists some parts of the handoff procedures requiring large latency, such as authentication and IP registration procedures. Details of the vertical handover operation using the ad hoc cooperation are presented and its performance is evaluated. Numerical results show that the proposed vertical handoff procedure decreases the service disruption time and the probability of packet loss, compared with the conventional handoff methods that do not consider the cooperation of ad hoc node.     

H.264/SVC vs. H.264/AVC video quality comparison under QoE-driven seamless handoff

This paper studies the impact of mobility management and seamless handover mechanisms on the perceived quality of video streaming applications. A seamless handoff scheme is proposed that incorporates IEEE 802.21 Media Independent Handover framework and a QoE-driven rate adaptation scheme, for both scalable and single layer coding. Quality of Experience (QoE) has been considered as an important parameter for network selection. The proposed scheme has been implemented and evaluated in a real test-bed network. Objective and subjective quality evaluation measurements for both H.264/AVC and H.264/SVC have been carried out. Through experimentation, QoE driven mobility of video streaming can be better maintained with H.264/SVC under the combined seamless handoff and rate adaptation functionality.     

Seamless SIP-based mobility for multimedia applications

Application-level protocol abstraction is required to support seamless mobility in next-generation heterogeneous wireless networks. Session initiation protocol (SIP) provides the required abstraction for mobility support for multimedia applications in such networks. However, the handoff procedure with SIP suffers from undesirable delay and hence packet loss in some cases, which is detrimental to applications like voice over IP (VoIP) or streaming video that demand stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements. In this article we present a SIP-based architecture that supports soft handoff for IP-centric wireless networks. Soft handoff ensures that there is no packet loss and that the end-to-end delay jitter is kept under control.     

Provision of quality of service in wireless fourth generation networks

A key word describing next generation wireless networks is ‘seamless’. Wireless fourth generation (4G) networks represent a set of new technologies that will enable seamless integration of various wireless access systems, while targeting to support various sophisticated and quality of service constraining applications, such as high‐speed data services and multimedia services. This paper first proposes an architecture for 4G networks. The most significant feature of this architecture is its flexibility, openness and ability to enable seamless handoff in a single logical overlay network composed of many heterogeneous access networks. A medium access control (MAC) protocol for basic access networks is then introduced. A generic scheduling scheme, named CS‐EDF (channel state‐earliest deadline first) and the details of an efficient handoff management method are also briefly introduced. The bandwidth utilization, handoff resources reservation, and scheduling scheme performances of the proposed schemes are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seamless Handoff Scheme Based on Pre-registration and Pre-authentication for UMTS–WLAN Interworking

Interworking issues between Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) have become a great matter of interest as an increasing number of mobile internet users require broadband wireless access to IP services in the wide area. In this paper, we present a practical UMTS–WLAN interworking architecture based on 3GPP standards and propose a seamless handoff scheme that guarantees low delay and low packet loss during UMTS–WLAN handoff. For low handoff delay, the proposed handoff scheme performs pre-registration and pre-authentication processes before layer 2 handoff. Moreover, it uses packet buffering and forwarding functions in order to reduce packet loss during the handoff period. On the above basis, detailed signaling procedures are presented, together with system requirements when a mobile terminal moves from UMTS to WLAN and vice-versa. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme performs well with respect to signaling cost, handoff delay, and packet loss compared with conventional schemes.     

子网移动性管理及其性能优化研究

子网移动性管理的最终目标是移动网络中的所有节点郝可以通过一个永久的IP地址被访问,并且当移动网络的路由器改变接入点时,内部节点仍然可以保持连续的通信。但当前的移动性管理方案由于其基本协议的切换时延较大,丢包率较高而不能适应实时业务和移动通信的要求,需要对移动性管理策略进行改善。文中介绍一种基于SIP和SCTP协议的混合方法Hybrid—NEMO,解决基于MIPv6的NEMO所存在的问题。通过建立相应模型并进行仿真对比分析,该方案能够保证网络移动切换过程中零丢包率和可控制的时延抖动,完全可以实现网络无缝移动的有关性能指标,从而较好地解决了现有移动网络模型实现无缝移动过程中的不足。     

Efficient mobility management for vertical handoff between WWAN and WLAN

As we move toward next-generation all-IP wireless networks, we are facing the integration of heterogeneous networks, such as WWAN and WLAN, where vertical handoff is required. In vertical handoff between WWAN and WLAN, mobile hosts should be able to move freely across different networks while satisfying QoS requirements for a variety of applications. In order to achieve seamless handoff and maintain continuity of connection, we propose a novel mobility. management system that integrates a connection manager to detect network condition changes in a timely and accurate manner, and a virtual connectivity manager that uses an end-to-end principle to maintain a connection without additional network infrastructure support. A prototype system was built to test the effectiveness of the proposed system. Experiments show that seamless roaming between WLAN and WWAN can be achieved, and much better performance can be obtained than with the traditional scheme.     

Mobile IP-DECT internetworking architecture supporting IMT-2000applications

Realistic realization and mass acceptance of mobile data services require networking architectures offering acceptable quality of service and attractive tariffs. A novel strategy for this goal is maximum integration of popular data networking standards and their infrastructure into wireless networks. This article discusses a Mobile IP-based network architecture to provide IP services in DECT to support IMT-2000 applications. DECT offers micromobility within multicell subnets, while Mobile IP supports macromobility between multicell subnets. Incorporating Mobile IP into the DECT handoff mechanism in this way extends DECT micromobility with IP macromobility. Also, utilizing fast, seamless DECT handoff management reduces Mobile IP handoff delay to circumvent TCP throughput degradation during handoff and reduce frequency of Mobile IP signaling over the ether to conserve spectral efficiency. This feature seamlessly unifies DECT with the global Internet. Seamless integration of DECT with the Internet is crucial due to the continuing phenomenal popularity of the Internet and wireless communications, and ubiquity of DECT systems. To achieve the above DECT/IP interworking efficiently, the architecture introduces a network entity called a DECT service switching point, which is an extended DECT central control fixed part. DECT network-level services are mapped onto those of the IETF integrated services architecture to maintain QoS provided by DECT in the backbone Internet. Mobile Resource Reservation Protocol, an extended RSVP tailored to mobile networking, is adopted to provide the needed signaling in IntServ. The proposed architecture preserves traditional non-IP based services such as PSTN voice     

The effect of packet dispersion on voice applications in IP networks

Delivery of real time streaming applications, such as voice and video over IP, in packet switched networks is based on dividing the stream into packets and shipping each of the packets on an individual basis to the destination through the network. The basic implicit assumption on these applications is that shipping all the packets of an application is done, most of the time,over a single path along the network. In this work, we present a model in which packets of a certain session are dispersed over multiple paths, in contrast to the traditional approach. The dispersion may be performed by network nodes for various reasons such as load-balancing, or implemented as a mechanism to improve quality, as will be presented in this work. To study the effect of packet dispersion on the quality of voice over IP (VoIP) applications,we focus on the effect of the network loss on the applications, where we propose to use the Noticeable Loss Rate (NLR) as a measure (negatively) correlated with the voice quality. We analyze the NLR for various packet dispersion strategies over paths experiencing memoryless (Bernoulli) or bursty (Gilbert model) losses,and compare them to each other. Our analysis reveals that in many situations the use of packet dispersion reduces the NLR and thus improves session quality. The results suggest that the use of packet dispersion can be quite beneficial for these applications.     

Intelligent Handoff for Mobile Wireless Internet

This paper presents an intelligent mobility management scheme for Mobile Wireless InterNet – MWIN. MWIN is a wireless service networks wherein its core network consisting of Internet routers and its access network can be built from any Internet-capable radio network. Two major standards are currently available for MWIN, i.e., the mobile IP and wireless LAN. Mobile IP solves address mobility problem with the Internet protocol while wireless LAN provides a wireless Internet access in the local area. However, both schemes solve problems independently at different layers, thereby some additional problems occur, e.g., delayed handoff, packet loss, and inefficient routing. This paper identifies these new problems and performs analyses and some real measurements on the handoff within MWIN. Then, a new handoff architecture that extends the features of both mobile IP and wireless LAN handoff mechanism was proposed. This new architecture consists of mobile IP extensions and a modified wireless LAN handoff algorithm. The effect of this enhancement provides a linkage between different layers for preventing packet loss and reducing handoff latency. Finally, some optimization issues regarding network planning and routing are addressed.     

An opportunistic cross‐layer architecture for voice in multi‐hop wireless LANs

We propose an opportunistic cross‐layer architecture for adaptive support of Voice over IP in multi‐hop wireless LANs. As opposed to providing high call quality, we target emergencies where it is important to communicate, even if at low quality, no matter the harshness of the network conditions. With the importance of delay on voice quality in mind, we select adaptation parameters that control the ratio of real‐time traffic load to available bandwidth. This is achieved in two ways: minimizing the load and maximizing the bandwidth. The PHY/MAC interaction improves the use of the spectral resources by opportunistically exploiting rate‐control and packet bursts, while the MAC/application interaction controls the demand per source through voice compression. The objective is to maximize the number of calls admitted that satisfy the end‐to‐end delay budget. The performance of the protocol is studied extensively in the ns‐2 network simulator. Results indicate that call quality degrades as load increases and overlonger paths, and a larger packet size improves performance. For long paths having low‐quality channels, forward error correction, header compression, and relaxing the delay budget of the system are required to maintain call admission and quality. The proposed adaptive protocol achieves high performance improvements over the traditional, non‐adaptive approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measurement‐based admission control scheme with priority and service classes for application in wireless IP networks

Wireless IP networks will provide voice and data services using IP protocols over the wireless channel. But current IP is unsuitable to provide delay or loss bounds and insufficient to support diverse quality of service, both required by real‐time applications. In order to support real‐time applications in wireless IP networks, in this paper a measurement‐based admission control (MBAC) with priority criteria and service classes is considered. First we have shown the suitability of MBAC in wireless IP networks by comparing its performance with a parameter‐based scheme. Next, we have investigated the performance of strictly policy‐based MBAC and policy plus traffic characteristic‐based MBAC schemes in terms of (1) increasing the user mobility, (2) changing traffic parameters and (3) the presence of greedy users. The efficiency and fairness of each scheme are measured in terms of lower class new and handoff traffic performance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A wireless access network based on WDM-PON for HMIPv6 mobility support

In this paper, an IP-based wireless access network is proposed, which is designed to support the hierarchical MIPv6 standard on the wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network access network in order to provide a fast and seamless handoff support. Two schemes for enhancing the mobility management are included in the proposed network’s infrastructure support. Firstly, the local-link channels between sub-networks are provided to improve the mobility management efficiency for the mobile nodes roaming between neighboring sub-networks. Secondly, the early route optimization scheme has been applied, which optimizes the mobility management process between the corresponding node and the home agent (HA), resulting in reduced bandwidth waste and long end-to-end packet delays, as well as lowering the heavy burden on the HA. The performance of the proposed mobility management scheme has been evaluated in terms of handoff delays, packet losses and transmission costs. The superior performance of the proposed scheme has been verified and compared to other schemes.     

Performance Optimizations for Deploying VoIP Services in Mesh Networks

In the recent past, there has been a tremendous increase in the popularity of VoIP services as a result of huge growth in broadband access. The same voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) service poses new challenges when deployed over a wireless mesh network, while enabling users to make voice calls using WiFi phones. Packet losses and delay due to interference in a multiple-hop mesh network with limited capacity can significantly degrade the end-to-end VoIP call quality. In this work, we discuss the basic requirements for efficient deployment of VoIP services over a mesh network. We present and evaluate practical optimizing techniques that can enhance the network capacity, maintain the VoIP quality and handle user mobility efficiently. Extensive experiments conducted on a real testbed and ns-2 provide insights into the performance issues and demonstrate the level of improvement that can be obtained by the proposed techniques. Specifically, we find that packet aggregation along with header compression can increase the number of supported VoIP calls in a multihop network by 2-3 times. The proposed fast path switching is highly effective in maintaining the VoIP quality. Our fast handoff scheme achieves almost negligible disruption during calls to roaming clients