Maximizing predictive mode probability in fast handovers for mobile IP

Mobility management across multi technology wireless networks is an important feature for ubiquitous access. In such heterogeneous environment, service providers have to deal with service continuity especially for real time applications like voice over IP. In order to achieve this goal, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) proposed fast handovers for IPv6 (FMIPv6) to reduce handover delay for real-time applications. FMIPv6 operates in two modes: predictive mode and reactive mode. FMIPv6 handover is achieved seamlessly when the predictive mode is used. The failure of the predictive mode degrades the handover performance and disrupts the perceived quality. In this paper, we propose an enhanced FMIPv6 that maximizes the predictive mode probability by forwarding the acknowledgment of the fast binding update to the new location of the mobile node. Moreover, the solution is based on the use of media independent handover services in both mobile node and network in order to achieve a successful predictive handover. A new state machine is defined for the mobile node to answer the requirements of the new enhancement. The impact of the proposed improvement is investigated through an analytical study.