Melhem El Helou, Marc Ibrahim, Samer Lahoud, and Kinda Khawam (2013)
Radio Access Selection Approaches in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks
In: 2013 IEEE 9th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob) (WiMob'2013), Lyon, France.
Along with the rapid growth of mobile broadband traffic,
multiple radio access technologies (RATs) are being
integrated and jointly managed. To optimize heterogeneous
network performance, efficient Common Radio Resource
Management (CRRM) mechanisms need to be defined. This paper
tackles the access technology selection — a key CRRM
functionality — and proposes a hybrid approach that
combines benefits from both network-centric and
user-centric methods. Network information, that is
periodically broadcasted, assists mobile users in their
decisions. By broadcasting appropriate decisional
information, the network tries to globally control users
decision in a way to meet operator objectives. On the other
hand, mobiles also integrate their needs and preferences to
select their access technology so as to maximize their own
utility. In comparison with other RAT selection techniques,
including network-centric, hybrid and user-centric methods,
simulation results prove the efficiency of our hybrid
approach in enhancing resource utilization and maximizing
user satisfaction.