Three-Phase Handover Management and Access Point Transition Scheme for Dynamic Load Balancing in Hybrid LiFi/WiFi...

Area of Science:

• Wireless Communication Networks
• Hybrid LiFi/WiFi Systems
• Network Performance Optimization

Background:

• Existing wireless networks face performance degradation due to user overload and frequent handovers (HOs).
• High HO rates negatively impact Quality of Service (QoS) through connection loss and delays.
• Conventional handover management, like Signal Strength Strategy (SSS), can be inefficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an innovative three-phase handover management and AP transition (TPHM-APT) scheme for hybrid LiFi/WiFi networks.
• To reduce the total number of HOs, maintain steady user links, and ensure high per-user data rates.
• To achieve low outage performance and conserve bandwidth and energy.

Main Methods:

• The TPHM-APT scheme utilizes three stages focusing on optical gain, receiver Field of View (FOV) incidence angle, and user mobility speed.
• A Data Rate Threshold (DRT) determines LiFi or WiFi AP assignment based on optical gain.
• An Incidence Angle Threshold (IAT) and User Mobility Threshold (UMT) manage handover decisions, incorporating load balancing (LB).

Main Results:

• Monte Carlo simulations in MATLAB demonstrate significant performance gains in system data rates, fairness, and reduced HO rates.
• The proposed scheme effectively decreases HO rates, conserves LiFi resources, and increases user throughput compared to standard methods.
• Analysis reveals trade-offs between FOV span and HO rates/AP transitions, with consistent results across low and high-density systems.

Conclusions:

• The TPHM-APT scheme offers a superior approach to managing handovers in hybrid LiFi/WiFi networks.
• It enhances overall system performance, reliability, and user experience by minimizing unnecessary handovers.
• The method provides a balanced solution for dynamic wireless environments.