Scalable inter-area handovers for hierarchical wireless networks

The aim of future IP-based wireless communications is to provide mobile users access to the desired service with the appropriate quality at any place. Besides mobility support and QoS provision, the increase of wireless heterogeneous access is equally significant for fulfilling such a vision. This increase of wireless access is associated with expanding the core IP network infrastructure, raising scalability concerns, especially when a large amount of routers are managed as a single domain. Configuring hierarchy is an essential element to scale large wireless IP networks where the impact of mobility is not yet fully explored. This article first identifies the key elements for the provision of an efficient hierarchical wireless architecture and second proposes an inter-area handover policy that improves network scalability. A simulation-based study demonstrates the contribution of the proposed approach to the reduction of mobility and routing signaling as well as MH blocking and dropping rates.