Secure and fast handover scheme based on pre- authentication method for 802.16/WiMAX infrastructure networks

802.16/WiMAX is going to be the most popular technology in wireless communications. In 2006, IEEE 802.16e has been proposed for mobility issue. In order to maintain security, re-authentication should be considered when the mobile station handovers. However, re-authentication often takes latency and consumes power. On the other hand, several fast authentication schemes have been proposed based on pre-authentication concept in 802.11/WLAN networks. These schemes provide different methods to enhance the efficiency and security of re-authentication procedure. By using the pre-authentication concept, we propose a pre-authentication scheme for WiMAX infrastructures in this paper. Due to flexibility and security, the proposed scheme is combined with the PKI architecture. It provides a secure and fast re-authentication procedure during macro-handover in 802.16/WiMAX networks.