Multi-criteria dynamic access selection in heterogeneous wireless networks

Service delivery in a heterogeneous wireless network environment requires the selection of an optimal access network. Indeed, the selection of a non-optimal network can result in undesirable effects such as higher costs in terms of new call blocking and handoff call dropping rates or poor service experience. Network selection in such an environment is influenced by several factors related to network conditions, application parameters, user preferences and terminal performances. This paper, first, describes a new architecture which allows a resource-efficient management that aims at selecting the “best-suited” network interface for each application. Second, it presents a comprehensive decision making process to rank candidate networks for service delivery to the application. The proposed scheme is based on a decision process using the TOPSIS method when solving the multi criteria analysis. The wireless networks in this model represent the alternatives, while the network and application parameters (bandwidth, Received Signal Strength, velocity support, load factor and power consumption cost) are considered as the criteria for determining the optimal network.