Fuzzy logic based handoff latency reduction mechanism in layer 2 of heterogeneous mobile IPv6 networks

• Main Authors: Anwar, Farhat, Masud, Mosharrof Hussain, Abd Latif, Suhaimi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 2013
• Subjects: TK5101 Telecommunication. Including telegraphy, radio, radar, television
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/35889/1/1757-899X_53_1_012085.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/35889/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/53/1/012085
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6) is one of the pioneer standards that support mobility in IPv6 environment. It has been designed to support different types of technologies for providing seamless communications in next generation network. However, MIPv6 and subsequent standards have some limitations due to its handoff latency. In this paper, a fuzzy logic based mechanism is proposed to reduce the handoff latency of MIPv6 for Layer 2 (L2) by scanning the Access Points (APs) while the Mobile Node (MN) is moving among different APs. Handoff latency occurs when the MN switches from one AP to another in L2. Heterogeneous network is considered in this research in order to reduce the delays in L2. Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and velocity of the MN are considered as the input of fuzzy logic technique. This technique helps the MN to measure optimum signal quality from APs for the speedy mobile node based on fuzzy logic input rules and makes a list of interfaces. A suitable interface from the list of available interfaces can be selected like WiFi, WiMAX or GSM. Simulation results show 55% handoff latency reduction and 50% packet loss improvement in L2 compared to standard to MIPv6.