Distributed multi-agent scheme support for service continuity in IMS-4G-Cloud networks

•Quality of Service supports service continuity in heterogeneous networks is achieved by agent-based concepts.•The shorter handoff delay and better QoS for real-time service applications is proposed.•The QoS mechanism and the intelligent agent are required for cooperative QoS-awareness networking.•The QoS management mechanism based on agents develops a cost-effective manner in IMS-4G-Cloud network.

In this study, the Quality of Service (QoS) needed to support service continuity in heterogeneous networks is achieved by a Distributed Multi-Agent Scheme (DMAS) based on cooperation concepts and an awareness algorithm. A set of problem solving agents autonomously process local tasks and cooperatively interoperate via an in-cloud blackboard system to provide QoS and mobility information. A Q-Learning awareness algorithm calculates the exceptive rewards of a handoff to all access networks. These rewards are then used by problem solving agents to determine what actions must be performed. Agents located in the integrated IMS-4G-Cloud networks handle service continuity by using a handoff mechanism. Through operations and cooperation among active agents, these phases select a policy for predictive and anticipated IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) handoff management. Compared with conventional IMS handoff management, the proposed DMAS scheme achieves shorter handoff delay and better QoS for real-time service applications.

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