Dynamic multi-attribute Network Selection algorithm for Vertical Handover procedures over mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract

The Vertical Handover and the related Network Selection process play a fundamental role in supporting reliable communications over MANETs. The goal of the Network Selection is to determine the Radio Access Network (RAN) that a Mobile Node (MN) has to use among several available RANs. This decision process finds out the RAN that fits the MN requirements and has to provide the decision as rapidly as possible. A computationally heavy Network Selection algorithm can impact the whole handover process because it waits until the selection is carried out. This waste of time can have negative consequences in the quality of communications. The main contribution of this paper is the definition of a new Network Selection algorithm based on a different formulation of the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method found in the literature, called Dynamic-TOPSIS (D-TOPSIS). It is aimed at performing the same selection of the TOPSIS but with a significant reduction of necessary computational load. Finally, the numerical results highlight the execution time reduction obtained by applying the D-TOPSIS with respect to the standard algorithm, and other Network Selection techniques usually applied within Vertical Handover Processes.