New trends in mobility modelling and handover prediction

Abstract

A wireless network may include fixed nodes and mobile nodes that change the location during data transmission. The node mobility influences heavily the operation of a wireless network, as the signal propagation conditions depend on the location of the nodes and may cause dramatic changes in the data transmission rates and packet error rates. Because the network performance is influenced by the location and signal propagation conditions between network nodes, accurate representation of the user mobility in the wireless network analysis is a crucial element in both simulation and numerical or analytical modelling. This chapter discusses mobility models used in simulating network behaviour. Further, the handover optimization and prediction are discussed, along with alternative methods of radio signal propagation changes caused by client mobility.