An integrated handoff solution for wireless ATM

This paper proposes an integrated solution to handoffs in wireless ATM networks. The proposed method has the following features: 1) combining soft handoff and hard handoff into one, 2) solving the crossed path problem due to both ends of a connection making handoffs at the same time, 3) minimizing overheads due to move back, and 4) minimizing QoS adaptation by load balancing. Previous studies cover at most one aspect of the proposed protocol. The crossed path problem arises when the crossover switch found by one end does not lie on the new path determined by the other end of the same connection. The proposed protocol minimizes handoff delay and cell delay. Simulation results show excellent scalability, adaptability, stability, and flexibility of the protocol. Performance analysis of the protocol is also provided.