SDRAN-based user association and resource allocation in heterogeneous wireless networks

Integrating different types of wireless access technologies in heterogeneous networks provides flexible choices for users to handover to a more preferable network that satisfies their needs. In this paper, we discuss the recent 802.21.1 Software Defined Radio Access Network (SDRAN) architecture that couples the Software Defined Networking (SDN) mechanisms by the IEEE 802.21 Media Independent Handover Services. Based on this architecture, we propose a centralized handover algorithm that manages user association and downlink capacity resource allocation. The algorithm is formulated as a Generalized Assignment Problem (GAP) which maximizes the overall profit of mobile nodes which is studied in terms of power consumption and Received Signal Strength (RSS). Comprehensive simulation has been conducted; It is shown that the formulated algorithm reduces the overall consumed power and increases the average relative received signal strength while demanding an extra number of HOs.