Algorithmic Approaches for Vertical Handoff in Heterogeneous Wireless Environment

The increasing need of ubiquitous wireless connectivity is pushing towards the emergence of hybrid wireless technologies and networks merging the advantages of the different wireless standards. In correspondence to the new hybrid environment, new handoff (HO) algorithms are needed for maximizing the efficiency of the HO decision-making process and guaranteeing the best possible connectivity and service quality. Apart of considering pure connectivity parameters for HO, in the future it is also important to take in account user preferences. In this paper we propose two vertical HO (VHO) decision-making schemes, based on fuzzy logics and neural networks. The mechanism for interworking among the different wireless technologies is taken for granted. We will show that multi-parametic HO decision-making turns out to be a useful and necessary step in the development of hybrid wireless environments.