Framework for a Flexible Comprehensive Multiple-Criteria Network Selection for Mobile Heterogeneous Networks

Yeryomin Y, Debes M and Sei

Abstract

In the last decade, a rapid growth of mobile communication networks based on technologies like UMTS, LTE, WLAN, WiMAX resulted in a heterogeneous communication environment consisting of networks with overlapping coverage. Additionally, the variety and number of mobile multimedia applications having multiple requirements with respect to net-work characteristics have increased. These two factors boosted research activities in the area of multiple-criteria (MC) network selection during handover. The studies investigating this topic applied different techniques mostly like Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), game theory, fuzzy logic and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Proposed algorithms and approaches reveal following gaps with respect to the configuration of the decision phase: weak flexibility, poor application sensibility, lack of consideration of the perspectives of different actors like user and service provider. In this study, we propose a solution addressing these gaps we called Flexible Application-Sensitive Handover Decision (FLASHED) framework. This framework enables a comprehensive configuration of network selection in a structured and flexible way.