Multiple attribute network selection algorithm based on AHP and synergetic theory for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract

It is a hot issue in communication research field to select the best network for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (HWNs), and it is also a difficult problem to reduce the handoff number of vertical handoff. In order to solve this problem, the paper proposes a multiple attribute network selection algorithm based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and synergetic theory. The algorithm applies synergetics to network selection, considering the candidate network as a compound system composed of multiple attribute subsystems, and combines the subsystem order degree with AHP weight to obtain entropy of the compound system, which is opposite the synergy degree of a network system. The greater the synergy degree, the better the network performance. The algorithm takes not only the coordination of objective attributes but also Quality of Service (QoS) requirements into consideration, ensuring that users select the network with overall good performance. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the handoff number and provide uses with satisfactory QoS according to different services.