Dynamic Network Selection in Wireless LAN/MAN Heterogeneous Networks

In future generations of wireless networks, it is expected that different users with various multi-homed personal wireless devices will have the option of accessing their desired services via different available radio access networks. Given the variability of the radio environment properties and user mobility, the availability and characteristics of an access network will change in time and are highly dependent on location. As a result, dynamic reselection of the access network will be a necessary part of the mobility management mechanism (which maintains the session connectivity as the user moves and/or the available access characteristics change). In their selection of a radio access network customers will consider cost and perceptive quality preferences for the current application and will rely on intelligent network selection decision strategies to aid or automate their choice. These dynamic selection strategies will need to take into account different dynamic, and sometimes conflicting, metrics