An AP handover scheme using vehicular Wi-Fi connectivity

With the rapid development of Wi-Fi technology and the dramatic increase in Wi-Fi coverage, it has become much easier to transfer data using roadside AP (Access Point). Previous research proves the feasibility of using vehicular Wi-Fi infrastructure to deliver data packages. However, how to optimize the APs selection method under different mobility patterns still remains an open research question. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes an AP selection scheme that maximizes the potential connection time by using Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) to predict the future connection duration between the specific vehicle and APs. Choosing APs with maximum connection duration guarantees the reduction of disconnection rate and packet loss, while improving the stability of the data traffic. Experimental results show that our strategy improves the average connection and reduces the time of handover, and significantly enhances the communication quality.