Mobility in wireless communication networKS

Underlying all wireless technologies is the fundamental principle that mobile users communicate with a base station via a wireless channel. In this chapter, a basic wireless channel is explored and the effects of distance, and thereby mobility, on the wireless channel is shown. The chapter then presents a generic wireless communication network and identifies the role and function of each component i.e., mobile device, access network and core network. The merger of new technologies and data services with mobile networks has created new issues in network management. The chapter provides a tutorial on the various mobility management methods used to mitigate and solve mobility issues. Concepts such as personal mobility, session mobility and service mobility can be viewed as high level mobility management solutions while concepts such as ad hoc mobility, mode mobility and terminal mobility are viewed as low level solutions. The chapter explores these concepts and presents current protocols/methods. A guide is provided for practitioners who may implement some of the mobility management methods. The chapter highlights research directions by presenting a range of projects and standard bodies working in the mobility management field.