Handover mechanisms in next generation heterogeneous wireless ...

HANDOVER MANAGEMENT
The objective of supporting various forms of handover on a mobile user is to provide
ubiquitous access across heterogeneous wireless networks and a number of network
operators without manual user intervention [12]. This is supplemented by the demands
for comprehensive and personalised services, stable system performance and service
quality [13]. Seamless handover in the NG wireless networks needs additional
capabilities in network architectures, protocols and control mechanisms, all of which
combine to facilitate the smooth interworking of heterogeneous wireless systems.
Accordingly, the interworking raises a number of research issues, which can generally
classified into two categories: Mobility Engineering and Handover Methodology.
Figure 2.2 Handover management issues in the NG heterogeneous wireless networks
Figure 2.2 summarises the major issues in each category. Mobility engineering provides
basic building blocks, which underpin handover functionality. Mobility engineering
provides a common platform for all the mobile users, and comes with network
infrastructure. Integration architectures and mobility protocols lie in this category.
Handover methodology, on the other hand, specifies the way, in which handover should
be performed. Unlike network protocols being “hardcoded” for all the mobile users,
handover methodology can be made different for each individual mobile user for
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