QoS based approach for LTE-WiFi handover

Nowadays, the current trend is to integrate WiFi with Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks in order to meet the growing demand for huge amounts of data traffic and provide ubiquitous coverage. Seamless mobility between heterogeneous networks with the required Quality of Services (QoS) provisioning for Mobile Terminals (MTs) is one of the most challenging issues while considering LTE-WiFi integration. Several studies reported in the literature have addressed the vertical handover (VHO) challenges between the two access networks. However, none of these approaches provides the MTs with the required QoS without adding a new entity or increasing the signaling cost. Thus, this paper proposes a VHO decision algorithm between LTE-WiFi heterogeneous networks. A performance study is conducted which compares the proposed approach with the WiFi First (WF) approach. Results show that the proposed approach can support QoS and reduce Wi-Fi blocking probability without adding any new entities to the infrastructure or increasing signaling costs. Also, the proposed approach outperforms existing solutions in terms of delay and signaling costs, while providing the MTs with the required QoS.