Difference of Frame Inter-Arrival Time Based Target Selection Scheme for Reducing Handoffs in Wireless Multi-Hop Relay Networks

In this paper, we propose a novel target selection algorithm to reduce handoff frequency in wireless multi-hop relay networks. In a metropolitan environment, signals are reflected and shadowed by buildings. Thus the signal changes rapidly. To mend this problem, IEEE 802.16j defines a new network component-relay station (RS) to improve coverage. Since an RS looks like a base station (BS) for MS, handoff frequency increases proportionally to the number of deployed RSs. Signaling overhead and interruption in upper layer application service become serious problems. The proposed target selection algorithm combining signal strength and time-of-arrival information of frame can reduce handoff frequency significantly.