Context aware mobile data offload using SDN

In response to increase of mobile data traffic, telecom operators usually employ “enforced handover” policy to direct data traffic to WiFi AP (Access Point). Once their user clients enter into WiFi AP coverage, they will be handed over to WiFi AP from BS in order to offload mobile data traffic. However, if there are too many BS user clients enter into WiFi AP coverage, it may lead to excessive handover to WiFi AP and thus reduce the data rate even slower than that of BS. On the other hand, Software Defined Network (SDN) is a promising technic to efficiently manage various kinds of networks. This paper proposes a FMSDN (Flow Management on Mobile Data Using SDN) mechanism, which uses SDN technology to manage the handover among WiFi AP and 3G/4G base stations. The design philosophy is that the SDN controller is responsible for making handover decision according to whichever access network (WiFi or 3G/4G) is able to offer higher service data rate to clients. Simulation results show that compared to Enforced Handover and Horizontal Handover methods, FMSDN is proved to be able to enhance service data rate with QoS guaranteed.