A self-configured vertical handover algorithm for LTE and WLAN interworking

Offloading mobile data traffic to Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is one of the widely accepted solution to improve the achievable capacity in cellular networks. In this paper, we propose a Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) based novel HandOver (HO) procedure to facilitate the Long Term Evolution (LTE)-WLAN interworking. We illustrate the significance of other handover parameters in addition to SINR in achieving improved system performance. Furthermore, we propose a self-configured vertical HO algorithm which determines an optimal configuration of these mobility parameters. We have obtained the results by performing extensive simulations in ns-3, which we have enhanced to support LTE-WLAN interworking as per the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.