Seamless proactive handover across heterogeneous access networks

Dual-mode handsets and multimode terminals are generating demand for solutions that enable convergence and seamless handover across heterogeneous access networks. The IEEE 802.21 working group is creating a framework that defines a Media Independent Handover Function (MIHF), facilitateshandoveracrossheterogeneous access networks and helpsmobile users experience better performance during mobility events. In this paper, we describe this 802.21 framework and also summarize a Media-independent Pre-Authentication (MPA) mechanism currently under discussion within the IRTF that can further optimize handover performance. We discuss how the 802.21 framework and the MPA technique can be integrated to improve handover performance. Finally, we describe a test-bed implementation and validate experimental performance results of the combined mobility technique. A. Dutta (B) · S. Das · D. Famolari Mobile Networking Research, Telcordia Technologies, 1 Telcordia Drive, RRC 1A220, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA e-mail:[email protected] Y. Ohba · K. Taniuchi · V. Fajardo · R. M. Lopez · T. Kodama Toshiba America Research Inc., P.O. Box 429, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA H. Schulzrinne Computer Science Department, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA