Analysis of vertical session handoff for self-similar traffic in a heterogeneous mobile data network

In an all-IP environment of internetworked heterogeneous mobile data networks, ongoing data sessions from roaming users are subjected to frequent vertical handoffs. Under such circumstances, careful consideration must be given for the selection of an appropriate vertical handoff mechanism to ensure seamless service continuity and desired Quality of Service (QoS) levels. Therefore, efficient methods for analyzing vertical handoffs for IP based data sessions are essential. This paper presents an analytical model for evaluating vertical session handoffs in a heterogeneous mobile networking environment by considering a G/M/1 queuing model, where G is a Pareto distribution. This is since Internet traffic data indicate that long-tailed distributions serve as better models for packet inter-arrival times and service lengths. The numerical analysis and evaluation is based on a framework designed for interworking between universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), CDMA2000 technology, and mobile WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) Networks. Results of the analysis are compared against the results obtained from a classical M/M/1 queuing model assuming Poisson arrivals and exponential service times.