Stream bundle management layer for optimum management of co-existing telemedicine traffic streams under varying channel conditions in heterogeneous networks.

Heterogeneous networks facilitate easy and cost-effective penetration of medical advice in both rural and urban areas. However, disparate characteristics of different wireless networks lead to noticeable variations in network conditions when users roam among them e.g. during vertical handovers. Telemedicine traffic consists of a variety of real-time and non real-time traffic streams, each with a different set of Quality of Service requirements. This paper discusses the challenges and issues involved in the successful adaptation of heterogeneous networks by wireless telemedicine applications. We propose the development of a Smart Bundle Management (SBM) Layer for optimally managing co-existing traffic streams under varying channel conditions in a heterogeneous network. The SBM Layer acts as an interface between the applications and the underlying layers for maintaining a fair sharing of channel resources. Internal priority management algorithms are explained using Coloured Petri nets. This paper lays the foundation for the development of strategies for efficient management of co-existing traffic streams across varying channel conditions.