APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOBILE/IP HANDOFF BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES

摘要

An apparatus and method for performing Mobile/IP handoff between different access technologies. Associated with each access technology are two thresholds, a Low Water Mark and a High Water Mark. The method uses these water marks to its access technology selection in a particular environment. Using the method, a mobile node 102 remains on its preferred network when the signal strength on the preferred network (interface) is above the low water mark. When the signal strength on the preferred network drops below the high water mark, the method calculates the low water mark for the network. When the signal strength on the preferred network drops below the low water mark (LWM), the method initiates handoff to the next available network that meets certain conditions. The method initiates handoff back to the preferred network when the signal strength measurement on the preferred network is again above the high water mark.