A Cross-Layer Vertical Handover between Mobile WiMAX and 3G Networks

Abstract

Nowadays wireless packet data services are provided over wireless MAN (WMAN) with high data rate while 3G cellular networks provide wide-area coverage with low data rate. The interworking of mobile WiMAX and 3G networks is indispensably required to serve users who need both high-speed wireless access as well as wide-area connectivity. In this paper, we propose a cross-layer optimization of vertical handover between mobile WiMAX and 3G cellular networks. More specifically, L2 (layer 2) and L3 (layer 3) signaling messages for vertical handover are analyzed and reordered/combined to optimize the handover procedure. Extensive simulations using ns-2 exhibit the proposed scheme enhances the performance of vertical handover between mobile WiMAX and 3G networks: low handover latency, high TCP throughput, and low UDP packet loss ratio.