An approach for optimal system selection for ISHO in future convergence network

The vision of ubiquitous service has required an increase in the development of future convergence network (FCN) that supports mobile users with seamless migration among heterogeneous networks while maintaining the QoS. The FCN allows mobile users to access to the services at anytime and from anywhere, use various devices, and move among different radio interfaces by executing inter-system handover (ISHO) function. The ISHO can redirect streams of application communication between heterogeneous overlay networks while maintaining the application with QoS. However, current research in ISHO has mainly focused on handovers activated by user's interruptions when user moves out of current network coverage. ISHO for the FCN should not only meet the above criterion, but also meet the other conditions such as predict interruption, improve QoS, support user preference for communication network. The ISHO procedures are divided into 3 steps; system discovery, system selection and decision, and execution. The paper is mainly concentrated on 1st step and 2nd step, the system discovery, selection and decision, in order to extend ISHO to support all above criteria and therefore allow mobile host to have dynamic network changing capabilities to maintain a continuous network connection while moving among heterogeneous networks. In order to select an optimal system among multitude points of attachment available to the network, there is a need for a more investigation into the resource management and the fuzzy logic applicable to the ISHO.