Simulation and evaluation of WIMAX handover over homogeneous and heterogeneous networks

Abstract

Different aspects of wireless networks are changing as a result of the continuous needs in terms of speed, data rates and quality of service. Such aspects are required to be adaptable within the same network or among networks of different technologies and service providers. Consequently, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is one of the future generation networks (4G) that needs further study. However, a major consideration for WiMAX to achieve mobility is the handover mechanism that concerns with the mobile station movement within the range of network coverage from one base station to another similar homogeneous or different homogeneous network. In this paper, an intensive analysis to handover mechanism in WiMAX followed by comparisons to WiMAX performance with UMTS and WiFi networks is carried out. QualNet 4.5.1 simulator is used to simulate the comparison process homogeneously and heterogeneously. Performance metrics of Throughput, End-to-End (E-2-E) Delay and Jitter in the comparison during handover process in/between the wireless networks are used. The simulation results are evaluated to identify the performance of the handover process over WiMAX-WiMAX, WiMAX-UMTS and WiMAX-WiFi with respect to the selected metrics. The environment of Wi-MAX-WiMAX has shown substantial enhancement of the system Throughput, reduction of E-2-E Delay and Jitter