Difference of Frame Inter-Arrival Time Based Target Selection Scheme for Reducing Handoffs in Wireless Multi-Hop Relay Networks

In this paper, we propose a novel target selection algorithm to reduce handoff frequency in wireless multi-hop relay networks. In a metropolitan environment, signals are reflected and shadowed by buildings. Thus the signal changes rapidly. To mend this problem, IEEE 802.16j defines a new network component-relay station (RS) to improve coverage. Since an RS looks like a base station (BS) for MS, handoff frequency increases proportionally to the number of deployed RSs. Signaling overhead and interruption in upper layer ap- plication service become serious problems. The proposed target selection algorithm combining signal strength and time-of-arrival information of frame can reduce handoff frequency significantly. Index Terms—Handoff, IEEE 802.16j, multi-hop, relay station (RS).