Vertical handover is widely speculated to be a feature of future networks, which will include a variety of radio access protocols. Vertical handover (VHO) decision mechanisms would become more important and challenging in this scenario and investigation into such algorithms would become a good topic for research. 

We present high-level OMNeT++ methods for assessing multiple vertical handover algorithms through this article.

 First, let us have an overview of vertical handover, 

Overview of Vertical handover 

A handover (or handoff) in a wireless network happens whenever a mobile node withdraws from a base station that serves its present cells and joins to a base station that serves further cells. Vertical handover is a procedure that occurs when two cells belonging to separate service providers or utilize distinct radio access protocols (VHO), 

• Handover data collecting (or network discovery)
• Handover decision (or network selection choice)
• Handover implementation 

The above are the three components of the VHO process. The objectives of recent research are focusing on the fact that the Next Generation Network (NGN) model allows mobile phone users to choose a system based on different essential factors, including

• Expense
• Transmission Time
• Error Rate
• Battery Capacity
• Geographical Reach
• User Behaviour

We regularly update ourselves on all aspects stated here. Let us now talk about the issues related to vertical handover

Research Issues in Vertical Handover

In vertical handover, there are two main concerns

• Boundaries must be chosen to pick the right networks, which must take into account vehicle dimensions as well as BS values
• Since the vehicle is not approved for handover, the amount of handovers increases

As a consequence, the quantity of unnecessary handovers increases, necessitating the use of large resource blocks to execute the computations. The following are the major research questions in vertical handover, 

• What are the most important aspects that influence quality of service across vertical handover environments? And with what degree are the outcomes satisfactory in terms of QoS?
• What impact do network access capabilities and constraints have on quality dimensions and vertical handover situations?
• How many vertical handover scenarios are implemented to monitor the required performance measures?

Typically, we supply all of the necessary technical information for all frequently asked questions to our customers before they begin their work. Researchers praised this strategy since it provided them ample research data repositories for reference even in the early stages. Let us now discuss the benefits of adopting vertical handover Omnet++.

What are the reasons to use OMNET++ for vertical handover?

• Short simulations for VHO algorithm evaluation and testing are possible using this framework.
  • Long simulations are avoided, but detailed descriptions can be obtained in radio access technology
  • Novel algorithms for network selection and radio access technologies can be easily included
  • Configuration of multiple simulation models of radio access networks are possible which include WLAN, UMTS, HSUPA, EGPRS, HSDPA, and LTE
  • Running various selection algorithms for result analysis is also provided and this framework is also highly relevant for higher protocols
  • Parameters for emulation of multiple radio features on back end protocols in Wi-Fi and GSM are available
  • Debugging, collection of statistics, random number generation, and visualization tools are present in this framework
  • Interference model or not considered for radio model validation
  • Higher accuracy in modeling complex and advanced protocols like TCP, UDP, and IP can be seen
  • Evaluation of network selector methods by appropriate metrics is provided by OMNET ++
  • Duplexing methods, fading channels, Doppler effect, multipath packet reception, and media access control methods like FTDMA, TDMA, and CDMA are all supported by it

Depending on the aforesaid, we may conclude that OMNET++ is the most effective technique for handling vertical handover issues. Our engineers keep up to date regularly to keep their field knowledge up to current. As a result, we can assist you in understanding any of the most recent new developments in vertical handover initiatives. Connect with us to stay up to date on the latest developments. Let us now discuss OMNET++ modules.

OMNET++ Modules for Vertical Handover 

• svr
  • svr stands for server
  • It is merely a storage component
  • It keeps track of the signals or files that the generator module creates
• dest
  • dest refers to the module’s final destination
  • It’s a sink module which gathers statistics and removes the OMNeT++ signals that represent the files arriving at the endpoint
• gen
  • The generating module is called gen
  • It generates OMNeT++ messages at predetermined intervals or under particular circumstances
  • Based on the type of traffic which is represented, the message can be thought of as ‘files’
  • Here a ‘file’ corresponds to a realistic IP packet, an actual file of a specific length, or a web page of WWW session
  • When background (e-mail, FTP) or interactive traffic is modelled, the destination module (or the sink) notifies the generators 
    • whenever the file has been entirely transferred, it allows for  the generators to transmit the next file
  • For simulation of streaming traffic, we’ll use the generator module to create packets of data at periodic intervals
    • Also the server will have to hold the packets until they’re ready for transmission
• Radio access networks
  • To transmit the very next data packet, the user selects one among them
• Selection algorithm
  • In the proposed system, the selection algorithm is represented by two OMNeT++ modules
    • fuzzySelAlg – implements a fuzzy logic-based VHO method
    • csSelAlg – executes the consumer surplus (CS) algorithm
  • It determines which one of the existing networks should be used to transfer the next ‘file’

As a result, the VHO algorithms, which are mostly employed for network selection decisions, become incredibly complicated, and their analysis is a popular research topic. We will render complete support on the code implementation and algorithm writing regarding the use of these modules. Let us now talk more about the vertical handover algorithms

Algorithms for Vertical handover

The algorithms being used in decisions on network selection are based on the following due to the complex nature of them

• Neural networks and Fuzzy logic 
• Analytical hierarchy process 
• Fuzzy TOPSIS, Fuzzy and neural networks
• Fuzzy analytical hierarchy methods

We provide standard successful project information and benchmark references for your research needs, in addition to presenting the functional importance of all these modules and algorithms practically. Let us now talk of the vertical handover OMNET++ framework

OMNET++ Framework for vertical handover 

The following are the important frameworks for vertical handover OMNET++

• IEEE 802.11 Module
  • The host starts scanning the channel just at time of its launch, seeking for such an access point to connect with
  • Since this host’s agent component is set to active scanning, it initiates this operation
  • A MAC module, a management module (works with management frames) and an operator module (initiates scanning, association, and other high-level operations) make up an 802.11 interface in INET Simulator
  • This module shows how to use infrastructure mode to handover between two access points (APs) in an 802.11 wireless LAN
  • The purpose is to demonstrate how the two APs communicate, involving beacon, dynamic scanning, authorization, and association operations
• FogNetSim++
  • OMNET++ is the foundation for FogNetSim++ and is made up of several modules
  • Latency, scheduling, packet failure rate, transmission distance, handover and heterogeneity of portable devices are all covered by the FogNetSim++
  • Several stationary and roaming users are seeking resources from a broker in this illustration
  • If a broker lacks the necessary resources, it will send request to nearby fog nodes for processing
  • If no fog facility exists locally, the request would be forwarded to the backend cloud
  • If a client moves away from the boundaries of an access point while a task is being executed, the broker node traces the user and delivers the requested action via a separate ground station
  • We are here to detail you on how to launch Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and how to configure the environment
  • As FogNetSim++ is designed to take advantage of OMNeT++, its installation is the first thing you should give primary importance
• Simu5G
  • Simu5G are being installed on any machine that supports OMNeT++ including Linux, Windows and Mac OS X
  • This module is used to give the gNodeB control over the primary user nodes
  • OMNeT++ v5.6.2 and INET-Framework v4.2.2 are required for Simu5G
• SimuLTE 
  • It is a reliable, robust, and feature-rich vertical handover platform 
  • SimuLTE is well-suited to LTE-based wireless connectivity, devices and services

In our research projects, we looked at and compared all the frameworks for vertical handover stated above. You can contact us at any moment for more information on all of these frameworks, appropriate simulators, and their advantages. Let us have a look at building OMNET++ projects

How to build OMNET++ project?

The following are the major steps involved in building OMNeT++ projects

• For creation of new projects INET_MANET are chosen as references and make sure that it is opened
• For creating the description of new empty network file (.NED), use in [Design] mode and add [network]
  • Usual devices are to be added to the network and for creation of new devices you should be adding an extra NED file (extra functions) and compound module in design mode
• The next step involved is the creation of initiation file (.INI)
  • Ad hoc mobility network wizard is used for this purpose and the required parameters are edited

You can get all technical details including algorithms, protocols, codes, and other aspects from us. Our engineers will provide you with simple practical explanations to better utilize them. Let us now see one of our successful project attempts in vertical handover OMNET++ involving three RSUs below, 

Vertical Handover Simulation using OMNET++ 

The handover mechanism between the three RSUs that employ LTE, Wi-Fi, and WiMax for video transmission in a vehicle environment is explained in the following

• In the pre-processing stage the original video is fed into the configured encoder
  • As a result the encoded video reaches the packetizer
  • The trace file the software in this sent to an RSU for Simulation
• Simulation is carried out in three RSUs deploying LTE Simulation, Wi-Fi, and WiMax
  • SUMO and OMNeT++ are configured for simulation
  • The analysed and processed data is then forwarded to the vehicle
• The following are the components of post processing phase
  • The traces obtained from simulation stage is sent to depacketizer
  • The obtained reconstructed video is in turn moved to decoder
  • As a result the distorted video obtained is transferred for quality evaluation
• The quality evaluation phase works on the following metrics
  • Network metrics – delay, packet loss and jitter
  • QoE metrics – MSE, frameloss and PSNR

The results are compared with the verified file data obtained from the simulation phase. Metrics are becoming increasingly important in the design, implementation, installation, and administration of OMNET++. Despite their importance, metrics analysis is mainly limited to a certain field or purpose.

There are several technologies that are used for vertical handover between the wireless technologies and this common application for mobility management and investigation is helpful for many research areas and some of the key technologies involved for vertical handover can be as follows. 

• Fog Computing
• Software Defined Networking
• Edge Computing
• Internet of Things
• Wireless Communications

Fog computing is a relatively new field of study and its importance could be shown in the solutions it supports. The idea of edge/fog computing is often used in advanced technology aspects. .

• Fog computing could be utilised in health sector to enable big data analytics that require quick responses
• So it’s crucial to understand how existing simulators work so that researchers can add new modules and test cases to the framework

We’ve gone through and are updating ourselves on the most extensive fog simulator, its major features, and architecture, as well as basic test applications of it. So you can reach out to us for any kind of technical assistance in this respect. Let us now look into the metrics used in evaluating the performance in vertical handover

Performance Evaluation for Vertical handover 

• Probability of a Successful and failure of Handover
• Unnecessary handover 
• Packet Delay and loss
• Average and maximum Throughput

In order to gain a better understanding of the current measurement framework, our research will look at all the other metrics that are often used for evaluating and producing the best project. Almost all of our initiatives have performed admirably in terms of these characteristics. With our huge track record of vertical handover OMNET++ project accomplishments, we are delighted to advise you throughout your research career.