An adaptive QoS framework for integrated cellular and WLAN networks

The design of a network architecture that can efficiently integrate WLAN and cellular networks is a challenging task, particularly when the objective is to make the interoperation between the two networks as seamless and as efficient as possible. To provide end-to-end quality of service (QoS) support is one of the key stages towards such a goal. Due to various constraints, such as the unbalanced capacity of the two systems, handoff from user mobility and unreliable transmission media, end-to-end QoS is difficult to guarantee. In this paper, we propose a generic reservation-based QoS model for the integrated cellular and WLAN networks. It uses an adaptation mechanism to address the above issues and to support end-to-end QoS. The validity of the proposed scheme is demonstrated via simulation experiments. The performance results reveal that this new scheme can considerably improve the system resource utilization and reduce the call blocking probability and handoff dropping probability of the integrated networks while maintaining acceptable QoS to the end users.