Efficient vertical handover approaches for increased user satisfaction in next generation networks

The next generation of wireless networks will integrate the current co-existing wireless networks to allow the users to connect to the network that best suits their needs. The users will be enabled to roam among different networks by a process known as vertical handover. Vertical handover can be imperative or alternative depending upon the reason of handover initiation. In this paper, we have proposed algorithms to perform imperative and alternative handovers. Our proposed algorithms are efficient in terms of decrease in handover call drop rate and avoidance of ping-pong effect. To elongate the battery life of mobile station, we have proposed a power-based algorithm that will be triggered when the power of mobile station drops below a certain threshold. All of our proposed algorithms will increase user satisfaction in 4G networks in terms of received signal strength, QoS and conservation of battery life.