Local and global handovers based on in-band signaling in wireless ATM networks

Abstract

This paper illustrates a protocol for wireless ATM networks which makes use of in-band signaling, i.e., of ATM resource management cells, to process network handovers and guarantee the in-sequence and loss-free delivery of the ATM cells containing user data. The proposed approach aims at minimizing the necessary modifications of the ATM signaling standard required to superimpose user mobility onto the fixed network infrastructure, and provides for a gradual upgrade of the fixed network to handle mobility. The proposed protocol handles both local handovers, in which the connection access point needs not migrate to a new ATM local exchange, and global handovers, in which the connection access point must migrate to a new local exchange. The maximum buffering capacity necessary at the base station to guarantee in-sequence and loss-free cell delivery is estimated using a simple model that is studied by means of an ATM network simulation tool.