A SURVEY ON VERTICAL HANDOVERS FOR NEXT GENERATION WIRELESS NETWORKS

Abstract

Every user expects the best service network rather than best connected network. Due to the various heterogeneous wireless network availability, users get a choice of selecting the best service network, based on various preferences. Mobility is possible due to handoff process. 4G networks are known for their seamless connectivity between existing networks which include GSM, wireless LAN, Bluetooth etc. Such next generation 4G networks are represented by heterogeneous environment with different access network technologies that vary in bandwidth, latency and cost. Seamless Connectivity in such networks entirely depends on efficient handoff mechanisms. In this paper we study various proposals of handoff decision strategies.