Abstract. The design of next generation networks in various technologies under the "Anywhere, Anytime" paradigm offers seamless connectivity across different coverage. A conventional algorithm such as RSSThreshold algorithm, that only uses the received strength signal (RSS) as a metric, will decrease handover performance regarding handover latency, delay, packet loss, and handover failure probability. Moreover, the RSS-based algorithm is only suitable for horizontal handover decision to examine the quality of service (QoS) compared to the vertical handover decision in advanced technologies. In the next generation network, vertical handover can be started based on the user's convenience or choice rather than connectivity reasons. This study proposes a vertical handover decision algorithm that uses a Fuzzy Logic (FL) algorithm, to increase QoS performance in heterogeneous vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANET). The study uses network simulator 2.29 (NS 2.29) along with the mobility traffic network and generator to implement simulation scenarios and topologies. This helps the simulation to achieve a realistic VANET mobility scenario. The required analysis on the performance of QoS in the vertical handover can thus be conducted. The proposed Fuzzy Logic algorithm shows improvement over the conventional algorithm (RSSThreshold) in the average percentage of handover QoS whereby it achieves 20%, 21% and 13% improvement on handover latency, delay, and packet loss respectively. This is achieved through triggering a process in layer two and three that enhances the handover performance.
IntroductionUsers' demand for mobile Internet access is increasing every day. Several types of radio access technologies are available and implemented with their own properties such as bandwidth, response time and coverage area. These properties are essential due to the development of applications and services that require large bandwidths, low latency, anywhere and anytime connection alive without disconnection and so on. However, to accommodate these needs, new and better networks are being specified and developed. For example, popular applications among mobile users nowadays include those used for video conferencing, email, messaging and even live TV. Most of these applications necessitate that the connection be maintained as the device move from one access point (AP) to another. Sometimes a mobile user needs to change the connection to another type of network. Vertical handover mechanisms can be used for seamless mobility and better service quality in networks.The main problems with current handover mechanism are a lot of unnecessary handovers and dropped calls [1]. The unnecessary handovers and dropped calls occur due to low signal, and the long distance between the device and the AP or Base Station. Furthermore, these problems can also occur in overlapping areas where mobile users travel quickly back and forth between one cell and the next cell in the network. The conventional handover algorithm (e.g. RSS-based algorithm) is more suitable