Location Based Predictive Handoff Algorithm for Mobile Networks

The proliferation of wireless network technologies has led to an explosion in the deployment of WiFi communications solutions. Consequently this propagation of wireless systems coupled with the frequency and familiarity of users to these systems has led to an increase in user expectation, whereby more and more mobile users are demanding the same Quality of Service (QoS) that they were accustomed to as fixed wired network users. As a result of the widespread deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots together with the expected increase in user demands for unlimited bandwidth and unrestrained network access, pressure has been placed on these wireless networks to respond to these user expectations. Most notable in this area are the complexities involved in providing the mobile user with seamless network connectivity during the traversal of a mobile cellular based network infrastructure. Fundamental to these issues is the latency and packet loss that occurs during the handoff process when a user moves between cells when traversing the wireless network as a handoff is required in order to maintain connectivity to the network, while at the same time ensuring minimum disruption to ongoing sessions. This paper presents a handoff algorithm for streaming media on mobile networks that will anticipate the handover procedure that occurs when a mobile device roams from one cell in the network to another. It proceeds to buffer packets from the anticipated 'new' access point and upon successful entry into the correctly predicted target cell will promptly 'pick up' the stream with minimal losses.