Vertical handover decision making using QoS reputation and GM(1,1) prediction

Mobile devices such as laptops and smartphones are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in metropolitan environments which contain numerous heterogeneous networks offering high bandwidth at low cost. As a result, content providers are streaming significant amounts of video content and latency sensitive data streams such as VoIP. In order for the mobile user to maintain a high quality of service, a vertical handover (VHO) mechanism is required to efficiently facilitate the exchange between heterogeneous networks in a seamless manner. Grey system theory has been used in a wide range of systems including economic, financial, transportation, and military to accurately forecast time series based on limited information. In this paper we build on a novel reputation based VHO decision rating system by proposing the use of the grey model first order one variable, GM(1,1), in the handover decision making progress. The low complexity of the GM(1,1) model allows for a quick and efficient prediction of the future reputation score for a given network, providing deeper insight into the current state of the target network.