A Context-Aware Vertical Handover Decision Algorithm for Multimode Mobile Terminals and Its Performance

Traditional handover decision algorithms for mobile devices mainly depend on signal strength. In the very near future, these will be obsolete for wireless networks and mobile terminals that are rapidly evolving towards being heterogeneous and multimodal, respectively, in response to the huge market potential. In the given circumstances, more sophisticated and intelligent handover decision algorithm is needed so that terminals can select the best option available from diverse networks and services as per user requirements. The algorithm has to provide user applications the flexibility to switch automatically between active interfaces that best suit them based on application requirements and interface capabilities, as well as to use multiple radio interfaces simultaneously ensuring the optimum usage of the network resources available to the terminal. In order to realize the above requirements, this paper illustrates a novel context-aware vertical handover decision algorithm suitable for multimode mobile devices in heterogeneous wireless networks based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and evaluates its performance through simulation.