Vertical handoff procedure and algorithm between IEEE802.11 WLAN and CDMA cellular network

Abstract

As the number of wireless subscribers rapidly increases guaranteeing the quality of services anytime, anywhere, and by any-media becomes indispensable. These services require various networks (such as CDMA2000 and Wireless LAN) to be integrated into IP-based networks, which further require a seamless vertical handoff to 4th generation wireless networks. This paper presents a seamless vertical handoff procedure between IEEE802.11 WLAN, which covers hotspot area such as offices, campuses and hotels, and the CDMA2000 cellular network that overlays the WLAN and also covers a larger area. A handoff algorithm between WLAN and CDMA2000 cellular network is proposed. In this algorithm, traffic is classified into real-time and non real-time services. Then, the beginning of handoff is decided by the handoff delay time and throughput according to traffic classes. It is also analyzed mathematically.