2new PPerformance and Handoff Evaluation of Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (HWNS) Using OPNET Simulator Aper

Performance and Handoff Evaluation of Heterogeneous
Wireless Networks (HWNs) using OPNET Simulator

Dheyaa Jasim Kadhim
Electrical Engineering Department
University of Baghdad
dheyaajk@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The need for coupling Heterogeneous Wireless Networks
(HWNs) such as WLAN, WiMAX or UMTS, play a great role
in developing towards fourth generation of wireless networks.
Hence, the algorithms for these networks must be developed
especially handoff algorithms to present a better performance
in such heterogeneous networks. In this paper, several projects
have different types of networks were implemented and
simulated in different case studies offered by OPNET
simulation to make Intra-technology handoff (horizontal
handoff) switching in each network and Inter-technology
handoff (vertical handoff) by interworking between two
HWNs. OPNET simulation results show that the superiors of
WiMAX performance through this research on the WLAN
and UMTS networks. The performance of WiMAX
throughput beats the other networks in much than 30%. Also,
the simulation results show the successful implementation and
simulation of the deployment of WLAN into WiMAX and
UMTS network by using multiple network interfaces. In this
work, it found that it is very difficult to successfully complete
the vertical handoff between WLAN-WiMAX and WLANUMTS without carefully and accurately engineering the
WLAN network due to highlighting the fundamental different
in HWNs.
General Terms
Wireless Networks, OPNET Simulator, Mobility Management
and Handoff Process.
Keywords
Heterogeneous Wireless Network (HWN), WLAN, WiMAX,
UMTS, Handoff Management and OPNET Simulation.
1. Introduction
Mobile users increased demand for access to mobile
communication services is accelerating the technological
development towards the integration into the various modes of
wireless access communications with respect to coverage,
QoS assurance, implementation, operational costs supported
features, etc. The integration should take into account the user
mobility from one access point to another. In wireless
networks, mobility management provide mobile users with
continuously get the connection when they move among
different subnets based on their service needs. With this
heterogeneity, users will be able to choose radio access
technology that offers higher quality, data speed and mobility
which is best suited to the required multimedia applications
with the best performance and minimum cost. It is necessary
to ensure that the internet application efficient state is
maintained while used HWNs. This is one of motivation for
conducting this work.
Sanaa Shaker Abed

Electrical Engineering Department
University of Baghdad
shakershr@gmail.com
In this context, vertical handoff and interworking between

heterogeneous wireless access networks constitute important
issues to the networking community. The mobile users would
like to seamlessly and dynamically roam among the different
access networks to maintain the most optimal network
connectivity. In this case, choosing the correct time to initiate
a vertical handoff request and select the best network to
connect becomes important.
Handoff management is one of the most important features of
mobility management and the Mobile user must be able to
seamlessly handoff to the approximately best connection
among all available candidates based on some metrics that
ensure no interruption will happen to any ongoing connection.
Hence, satisfying these requirements under the varied
networks and services refers to why handoff has gained
importance and will probably continue to be a major interest
area of interest as newer technologies and services continue to
proliferate the wireless networking market [1][2]. Another
work motivation behind the mobility and handoff
management is the need for a way to integrate and couple
these heterogeneous networks, such as coupling WLAN and
any cellular networks.
Many researchers wrote on the scope of heterogeneous
networks, seamless mobility and vertical handoff some of
them wrote on the role of it to improve the network
performance and others wrote on the field of optimizing its
works. Mark Stemm in [3] has explored methods which
enable seamless mobility in wireless LAN networks with
using 802.11 networks configured to work like a single
umbrella network. Zahran [4][5] studied the performance of
vertical handoff using the integration of heterogeneous
networks in 3G cellular and wireless local area networks with
MIP supported using loosely-coupled architectures. The
dissertation in [6] proposed virtual wireless services to
evaluate the HWN; the architecture of this solution based on
client/server design. OPNET modular 14.5 was used to build a
test of HWN.
In this paper, three types of HWNs; WLAN, WiMAX and
UMTS were implemented and tested with different selected
applications executed on the mobile node. So that three
different projects have different types of networks will
implement and simulate using OPNET 14.5 modeler
simulation. Then we will evaluate the performance of these
heterogeneous networks with many applications such as FTP,
VoIP and video conference applications. The work of this
paper will discuss also the handoff implementation and
evaluation for HWN in addition to the integration,
interworking and deployment in HWN between WLANWiMAX and WLAN-UMTS. It is necessary to ensure that the
internet application efficient state is maintained while used
HWNs. This is one of motivation for conducting this work.
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2. Handoff Management in HWNs

General vision of 4G wireless networks are essentially the
future of HWN. A HWN is made up of multiple wireless
access technologies. Each of these technologies has its own
characteristics with respect to coverage, QoS assurance,
implementation, operational costs, supported, features, etc.
[7]. Presently, heterogeneous environments are expanding and
mobile devices often have built in support for multiple
network interfaces. Seamless roaming or mobility is crucial to
ubiquitous computing and requires network management
operations to avoid service degradation. Both location
management and handoff management constitute mobility
management. Location management involves two processes.
The first process is called location registration, or location
update, in which the mobile terminal periodically informs the
network of its current location, which leads the network
mobility and mobility support procedures for wireless
networks. Handoff management includes wireless terminal
handoff management considerations within one network
called horizontal handoff and handoff management across
different wireless networks which could be based on different
wireless access technologies termed vertical handoff [8].
The handoff process is divided into three phases [9]: Network
Discovery, Handoff Decision and Handoff Implementation as
shown in Figure 1. Periodically the system monitors for a
better network which the mobile terminal can be handed off.
The handoff considerations include several different criteria
depending on the algorithms and the goals set for handoff.
Network
Discovery
Handoff
Decision
and FTP and also the metrics such as average delay,

throughput, and received traffic were calculated and
discussed.
3.1 WLAN Performance Evaluation

In this case study, the performance of WLAN network
evaluation with using different types of application. WLAN
model based on IEEE802.11x standards is described in
OPNET modulator. This model includes various node models:
wireless workstation, wireless server, and wireless router or
access point AP.
The objective of this case is to test the application
performance and analyze the work of Wi-Fi networks. Figure
2 displays the network topology of this case. In this case we
used three different applications; FTP, Video Conferencing
and Voice over IP. We proposed that a network model
consists of one Access Point with six clients; each two clients
have the same application with the coverage of approximately
100 meters in a 1000 by 1000 meters of area. IP cloud is used
in this project, so the packets arriving on this cloud interface
will be routed to the output interface based on the destination
IP address. The Routing Information Protocol (RIP) or the
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol may be used to
automatically and dynamically create the cloud's routing
tables and select routes in an adaptive manner.
Execution
Figure 1: Handoff Phases

During the system discovery phase, the mobile terminal
determines which networks can be used. These networks may
also advertise the supported data rates and Quality of Service
(QoS) parameters [10]. The handoff decision uses an
algorithm that optimizes based on a selected set of criteria to
decide when to handoff. The decision is very crucial and
several different interesting solutions were proposed to
address the problem [11]. In decision phase, the mobile
terminal determines whether the connections should continue
using the current network or be switched to another network.
The decision may depend on various parameters or metrics
including the type of the application (e.g., conversational,
streaming), minimum bandwidth and delay required by the
application, access cost, transmit power and the users
preferences. During the execution phase, the connections in
the mobile terminal are re-routed from the existing network to
the new network in a seamless manner. This phase also
includes the authentication, authorization, and transfer of a
users context information [12]. Thus vertical handoffs are
implemented across heterogeneous cells of access systems,
which are differ in several aspects such as bandwidth, data
rate, frequency of operation, and better QoS etc [13].
3. Implementation and Simulation of HWN

Three types of heterogeneous wireless technology WLAN,
WiMAX and UMTS were implemented and simulated with
different selected applications executed on the mobile node
Heavy FTP, Heavy Video Conference and VoIP with PCM
quality. The mobility used for this project simulation speed is
10km/h with different location nodes at specified vector
trajectory and simulation time was about 15 minutes. Selected
performance of applications such as VoIP, Video Conference
Figure 2: Wi-Fi Network Scheme Implementation

There are two versions of the wireless workstation node
model, the simple and the advanced models. The simple has
only physical and multiple access control MAC layer but the
advanced model provides all the higher layers protocols.
The proposed model is measured for its performance by
running data, voice and video traffic; hence the average delay,
throughput, load, and received traffic are the performance
metrics used in this work.
Table 1 displays the system parameters at the simulation setup
used in the first case study. A vector-based trajectory consists
of a direction and a velocity that can be changed at run time.
We can specify that a site will use a vector-based trajectory by
setting the site's trajectory attribute to VECTOR. However, in
OPNET Modeler the path of a site can change during
simulation if the bearing of the site is changed. In this case,
the current latitude/longitude coordinates of the site become
the new origin and a new "great circle" route is recomputed
based on the new bearing and origin. The simulation time in
all cases of this project is taken to be 15 minutes.
Table 1: WLAN Simulation Environment Parameters
Table 2: WiMAX Simulation Environment Parameters
System Parameters
System Parameters
Simulation time
15minutes
Simulation time
15minutes
Data rate
54Mbps
Data rate
11Mbps
Communication Range
100m
Basic rate
1Mbps
Antenna Gain
15 dBi
Physical characteristic
Extended rate 802.11g
PHY profile
Wireless OFDMA 20MHz
MAC Type
802.11 DCF
PHY profile type
OFDM
Transmit power (w)
0.005
Max. Transmit power
0.5
Reception power threshold
-95dBm
(w)
AP Bacon interval
0.02sec
Propagation model
Free space
Trajectory
Vector Based
Path loss
Vehicular
BS MAC address
Distance based
Trajectory
Vector Based
3.3 UMTS Performance Evaluation

3.2 WiMAX Performance Evaluation
The WiMAX model suite includes a discrete event simulation
model that let us analyze a network performance in wireless
metropolitan area networks. The WiMAX model suite
includes the features of the IEEE 802.16e standard with two
types: simple and advance node model. WiMAX-capable
nodes are included in the WiMAX object palette which
includes routers, base stations, workstations, etc.
To understand the fundamental work and the performance
analysis of WiMAX network technology, we proposed a
scheme of the network topology of this case study as shown in
Figure 3. WiMAX configuration and profile Configuration
provide to define and attribute all the applications that are
used by the MN in this network case study. Three different
applications are used: FTP, Video Conferencing and Voice
over IP. The proposed WiMAX network model consists of
seven Base Stations and seven cells; each cell has four mobile
nodes to serve all applications types. A vector-based
trajectory is also used in this scenario. The coverage of one
cell is approximately 4km by 4km of area.
Figure 3: WiMAX Network Scheme Implementation

First we will use the same metrics used in the WLAN case
study. Table 4.2 displays the system parameters at the
simulation setup in the second case study.
The objective of this scenario studies the performance of

UMTS network using the same set of application and the
same performance metrics used in previous cases. Many node
models as part of the UMTS specialized model library are
grouped in the UMTS and UMTS_advanced object palettes in
OPNET modulator such as routers, repeaters, stations, RNC,
etc,. In our simulation, the UMTS advanced node models
were used.
One of the specialized models used in OPNET simulation is
the UMTS model based on the 3rd Generation Partnership
Project (3GPP) specifications. The architecture of this model
can be found in simple and advance nodes. The MN model
offers functionality related to terminal equipment and mobile
termination, responsible for terminating the radio link. The
UTRAN part consists of models for Node B and RNC.
During this case study, a simulation scenario was built and
run in order to obtain the desired results to achieve the
objective. Figure 4 displays the network topology of this case;
the same sets of applications are used, so we used the same
metrics used in the previous case (throughput, delay, and
traffic received). The proposed topology of UMTS network
model consists of Node_B, RNC, MN, and SGSN/GGSN
nodes. The coverage of one cell is approximately 5km by 5km
of area.
Figure 4: UMTS Network Scheme Implementation

The following simulation parameters were used to obtain the
results as shown in Table 3. The path loss can be calculate by
taking the difference between the transmitted signal strength
in the uplink direction at the mobile station and the

received signal strength at Node B.
Table 3: UMTS Simulation Environment Parameters
System Parameters
Coverage area
5km *5km
Simulation time
15minutes
UMTS MN cell state
Cell_DCH
UMTS RLC process time
0.015
CPICH transmission
1W
Power
Shadow fading Standard
10
deviation
Processing time
0.02sec
Path loss
Outdoor to indoor and

pedestrian environment
UMTS GMM Timer
15/30/10
3.4 Performance Analysis

HWN Technologies
of
Different
Three types of heterogeneous wireless technology WLAN,

WiMAX and UMTS were implemented and tested with
different selected applications executed on the mobile node
Heavy FTP, Heavy Video Conference and VoIP with PCM
quality.
The mobility used for this project simulation speed is 10km/h

with different location nodes at specified vector trajectory
defined in chapter four and simulation time was about 15
minutes. Selected performance of applications such as VoIP,
Video Conference and FTP and also the metrics such as
average delay, throughput, and received traffic were
calculated and discussed.
Figure 5 shows the video conference traffic sent and received
for all HWN (Wi-Fi, WiMAX and UMTS). Table 4 describes
some of the general statistic information for this performance.
As a result, we can show WiMAX traffic sending was the best
in about 60%, but all were equal in response at received
traffics.
On the other hand, Figure 6 and Table 5 show and describe
the send traffics of VoIP in this project; they show that the
performance of WiMAX throughput beats the other networks
in sent and received traffics in about (30-100)%.
The response of the third application is FTP throughput as
shown in Figure 7. Table 6 describes the statistic information
for FTP traffic sent. We can conclude from them that the
superiors of WiMAX performance through this project are in
the Wi-Fi and UMTS networks.
Figures (8-10) show the global delays and throughput in each
network. The maximum delay and minimum throughput are
shown in UMTS network. On the other hand, the minimum
delay and the maximum throughput are shown in WiMAX
networks.
Table 4: The General Statistic Information of Video Conference. Traffic Sent

WiMAX Statistic Inf. kb/s
horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 91,4
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 91,3
expected value : 79,988
sample mean : 79,988
variance
: 886,482
standard deviation : 29,77
Wi-Fi Statistic Inf. kb/s

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 15,206
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 15,2
variance
:24,529
UMTS Statistic Inf. kb/s

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 15,262
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 15,26
variance
:25,907
4
Figure 5: Video Conference Sent and Received Traffics
Table 5: The General Statistic Information of VoIP. Traffic Sent

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 31,564
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 25,226
variance
: 78,521

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max :15,511
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 10,728
variance
:17,906

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 11,57
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 7,928
sample mean : 7,591
variance
:10,266
Figure 6: VoIP Sent and Received Traffics

Table 6: The General Statistic Information of FTP. Traffic Sent
horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 556,124
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 139,173
variance
: 21,939.000

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max :33,674
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 16,837
variance
:74,288

horizontal, min : 0
max : 900
vertical, min : 0.0
max : 5,612
initial value : 0.0
final value
: 0.0
expected value : 224.49 b/s
sample mean : 224.49 b/s
variance
:1,209
5
Figure 7: FTP Sent and Received Traffics
between seven wireless APs. These APs offer the service of

WLAN_802.11g with data rate 54Mbps including roaming
features between these APs. The objective of this scenario is
to provide the performance of achieving HO during the
moving of MN among cells when the speed of MN is about
10km/h at simulation time is one hour.
The same set of metrics was used in this project too to set all
nodes in the simulation. Figure 11 shows the details of the
proposed HO_ WLAN topology.
Figure 8: Throughput and Delay in WiMAX and Wi-Fi
Figure 11: HO_WLAN Network Scheme Implementation
Figure 9: Throughputs and Delays in UMTS Network
Figure 10: Overall Delay in the Three Networks
4.2 Handoff in WiMAX

This case studied the performance evolution of WiMAX
technology when MN moves between BSs coverage area and
HO occurred. The objective of this study is to explore how the
performance is affected during handoff occurrence with
multiple BSs which support WiMAX IEEE802.16e. So the
same predefined set of metrics was used. The simulation time
in this case study is taken to be 15 minutes.
The Figure 12 shows the proposed WiMAX topology
architecture. WiMAX setup included seven BSs. The MN or
MS moves in a selected trajectory so that it roams near the
coverage areas by these BSs alternately. The BSs were
symmetrical and they were different only in MAC address.
The efficiency mode on WiMAX configuration attributed in
mobility and ranging ability, so MS was also set to support the
WiMAX BSs services. IP cloud was used in this case to
support the mobility of MN among BSs. Figure 12 shows the
proposed real location applied in a selected region for BSs and
for the MS trajectory moving around these BSs.
4. Handoff Implementation and Evaluation

of HWN
This section includes three different case studies to implement
and evaluate Handoff (HO) through WLAN, WiMAX and
UMTS networks.
4.1 Handoff in WLAN

In this case study, we used three access point and forty-two
Mobile Nodes (MNs) with Wi-Fi connection were distributed
over seven cells with the help of internet protocol. The mobile
nodes moves randomly by trajectory vector known previously
Figure 12: HO_WiMAX Network Scheme Implementation

Figure 14: Throughput and Delay of Case Study 1-WLAN
Figure 15 illustrates the WLAN AP connectivity for several
selected mobile nodes during different locations and HO
occurs in about one hour.
4.3 Handoff in UMTS

Figure 13 shows the UMTS platform setup which includes six
BSs or node_B connected directly to RNC node to be
UTRAN based. Three MN A, B and C, A node followed
specified trajectoryto roam through the coverage areas by six
BSs alternately. The BSs were symmetrical and they were
only different in MAC address. The MS also attributed to
support the UMTS BSs services. RNC conected directly to
Corresponding node which represented SGSN node. The
conversation and interactive traffic class were attributed in all
mobile nodes. Ordinary to the achieved handoff in this case
the UMTS UE cell (such as A node) state must set in
cell_DCH. Figure 13 shows the proposed real location applied
in selected region for BSs and the trajectory moving around
these BSs. The simulation time in this case was about
10minutes.
Figure 15: AP Connectivity for Selected Nodes

Throughput and delay for all AP from one to seven are
described in Figure 16. It can be noted that max value is
20,647Kb/s and max mean value is 5,632Kb/s at AP1 because
the location of AP1 is in the center of coverage area. Also it
can be noted that the max delay at AP2 is about 4.12ms
between 200-400 s; that occurs because the nodes mobility is
out of the AP2 coverage at these times as shown in Figure 17.
Figure 13: HO_UMTS Network Scheme Implementation
4.4 Performance analysis

Implementation in HWN
of
Handoff
The results and discussions included three cases studies: the

evaluation of HO in WLAN, HO in WiMAX and HO in
UMTS.
According to the simulation and implementation in section
4.1, the throughput and delay for case study one is shown in
Figure 14 with specified vector trajectory and simulation time
60 minutes. It is clear that the maximum value of throughput
is about 30,484kb/s at about 1800 second and the minimum
value is 2.1kb/s at about 1950sec.
Figure 16: Access Points Throughput and Delay
Figure 17: Two Dimension Animation Viewer of WLAN

Subnet
According to the simulation and implementation of WiMAX
in section 4.2, the throughput, delay, HO delay, advertisement
received and the mobility serving ID for this case study are
shown in Figure 18. The same selected vector trajectory in the
previous case study was used with a simulation time of about
15 minutes. From the Figure 18, we can note the max
throughput is 397p/s at about 520s and the min throughput is
35p/s at 490s due to MN moving far of the coverage area of
BS5 and BS6.
Figure 18: Throughputs, Delay, HO delay, Advertisement

Received and Mobility Serving ID
From Figure 19, we can see the throughput of all used BSs in
the topology. The MN was connected to BS0 at the start and
moved through BSs, and then at the end of the specified
trajectory, it was back to BS0.
Figure 19: The BSs Throughput in WiMAX Subnet

In the third case study, UMTS HO implemented and
simulated results can be shown in Figure 20. Three active sets
were used in simulation due to using three mobile nodes; the
statistic reports the number of the cells in the active set of the
surrounding MN, which varies during handoffs. Initially each
MN is attached only to a single Node-B. Therefore, the
statistic starts with an initial value of 1. Then, throughout the
simulation, whenever an addition or removal takes place
to/from the Active Set, the new count of the cells after this
operation is recorded.
Figure 20: UMTS HO Results

The total traffic received throughput, end to end delay per
QoS and the uplink throughput of each BSs in UMTS subnet
are shown in Figure 21. It can be noted that throughput
decreases after 355 second with max throughput value of
5.6Kb/s at BS0 due to the MN stopping near the coverage area
of BS5.
Figure 21: Throughput, End to End Delay and Uplink

Throughput in BSs
The purpose of this case study is to implement, simulate and

test a network system environment to allow investigators to
study and verify the trade-offs for interworking the
infrastructure-based wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies into
cellular systems, specifically UMTS. In this case study, we
focused on the interworking of WLAN to provide data
services; therefore, the circuit switched domain was not
required. The tight coupling approach was used in this case.
Hence, The WLAN-UMTS system was tightly coupled at the
RNC using the WLAN technology as an alternate radio access
technology for hot spots. This case was achieved in a
simulation containing the Enhanced WLAN Access Point
(termed WLAN_UMTS_AP), the Enhanced User Equipment
(termed UW_1), and Enhanced the Core Node
(SGSN/GGSN). The enhanced node models in [16] was used
and implemented and then evaluated in our proposed system.
The application traffic models used in this case generating
traffic based on standard applications such as HTTP and Email applications with a simulation time of 15minutes. Figure
23 shows the proposed WLAN_UMTS interworking topology
implementation in OPNET simulator.
5. Integration, Interworking and

Deployment in HWN
The approach of this will consist from of two directions. The
first direction includes how to integration the Wi-Fi network
into WiMAX network in order to work as a one network. The
second direction includes the interworking Wi-Fi network into
UMTS network to work as a one network.
5.1 Integration of Wi-Fi / WiMAX Network

The objective of this case study is to implement and evaluate
the Wi-Fi/WiMAX integration networks. This case study
contains two different wireless service in coverage, bit rate,
operating frequencyetc.; hence, each network has to modify
its protocols, interfaces and services in order to support
the interworking requirements [14][15]. To achieve this, the
BS of WiMAX and AP of Wi-Fi were enhanced and new
interface were added in these nodes. The application
configuration, application profile and WiMAX configuration
were sets to support the one selected application HTTP as
shown in Figure 22.
Figure 23: Implementation of WLAN/UMTS Integration

The GMM protocol must be implemented in this case. The
GMM protocol, which logically operates between the MN and
the SGSN, provides the authentication and the basic signaling
mechanisms for controlling mobility management into the
UMTS domain[17]. The authentication center (AuC) and
visitor location register (VLR) operations were impeded
SGSN/GGSN enhanced node.
5.3 Performance Analysis of the Integrated

Networks
Figure 22: Implementation of Wi-Fi/WiMax Integration
Two case studies are evaluated in this section. The first

section includes results and discussion of WiFi/WiMAX
integrated networks and the second section includes the
results and discussion of interworking WiFi network into
UMTS network.
Figure 24 illustrates the throughput and delay in
WLAN/WiMAX deployment for a simulation time of 24
minutes. The max value is 1.75Mb/s at 17minutes and the min
value is about 106.6Mb/s at 3minutes. We can note that the
delay in WiMAX network is10 times greater than the delay in
Wi-Fi. This figure represented the trade-offs for interworking
of the infrastructure-based Wireless LAN (WLAN)
technologies into WiMAX technology.
5.2 Integration WLAN into UMTS Network
that the max value of throughput is 12801b/s and the max

delay value is at 65ms.
Figure 24: WiMAX/WiFi Throughput and Delay

It can be shown in Figure 25, the HTTP traffic received and
sent throughput, according to the static information
concluded, the maximum and minimum values of throughput
are (15.6, 4.8)Kb/s at (9, 21) minutes respectively.
Figure 27: WLAN Delay and Throughput

Figure 28 represents the response of the selected applications
HTTP and E-mail over the integration between the two
networks. It can be shown the HTTP traffic sent and received
throughput is 10 times greater than the E-mail application due
to servings.
Figure 25: The HTTP Traffic Received and Sent

Throughput
It is clearly shown that the BSS0 and BSS1 was equal load.
The load mean value according to the static information is
about 630b/s due to the same numbers and the same types of
MN as shown in Figure 26.
Figure 28: HTTP and Email Application
Figure 29 shows the UMTS GMM delay in several cases. It is
very clear that the delay in WLAN is less than that in UMTS.
Figure 26: WLAN Network Load

In the second part of case study two analyses, Figure 27
illustrates the delay and throughput of WLAN, it can be note
Figure 29: UMTS GMM Delay
10
[12] Xiaohuan Y, Y.Ahmet S, Sathya N. "a survey of vertical
6. Conclusions:
In this study, we present a performance analysis of various
types of wireless networks with many applications and many
types of handoff using OPNET simulator. The OPNET
simulation results show that the superiors of WiMAX
performance compared with WLAN and UMTS, WiMAX
ranked first in maximum throughput followed by WLAN, but
in minimum delay WLAN ranked the first and then followed
by WiMAX. Also, the simulation results show the successful
implementation and simulation of the deployment of WLAN
into WiMAX and UMTS network by using multiple network
interfaces. It found that it is very difficult to successfully
complete the vertical handoff between WLAN-WiMAX and
WLAN-UMTS without carefully and accurately engineering
the WLAN network due to highlighting the fundamental
different in HWNs.
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11

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Performance and Handoff Evaluation of Heterogeneous

Wireless Networks (HWNs) using OPNET Simulator

Sanaa Shaker Abed

In this context, vertical handoff and interworking between

2. Handoff Management in HWNs

and FTP and also the metrics such as average delay,

3.1 WLAN Performance Evaluation

Figure 1: Handoff Phases

3. Implementation and Simulation of HWN

Figure 2: Wi-Fi Network Scheme Implementation

Table 1: WLAN Simulation Environment Parameters

Table 2: WiMAX Simulation Environment Parameters

Extended rate 802.11g

Wireless OFDMA 20MHz

PHY profile type

Transmit power (w)

Max. Transmit power

Reception power threshold

3.3 UMTS Performance Evaluation

Figure 3: WiMAX Network Scheme Implementation

The objective of this scenario studies the performance of

Figure 4: UMTS Network Scheme Implementation

in the uplink direction at the mobile station and the

UMTS MN cell state

UMTS RLC process time

Outdoor to indoor and

UMTS GMM Timer

3.4 Performance Analysis

Three types of heterogeneous wireless technology WLAN,

The mobility used for this project simulation speed is 10km/h

Table 4: The General Statistic Information of Video Conference. Traffic Sent

Wi-Fi Statistic Inf. kb/s

UMTS Statistic Inf. kb/s

Table 5: The General Statistic Information of VoIP. Traffic Sent

Wi-Fi Statistic Inf. kb/s

UMTS Statistic Inf. kb/s

Figure 6: VoIP Sent and Received Traffics

Wi-Fi Statistic Inf. kb/s

UMTS Statistic Inf. kb/s

between seven wireless APs. These APs offer the service of

Figure 8: Throughput and Delay in WiMAX and Wi-Fi

Figure 11: HO_WLAN Network Scheme Implementation

Figure 9: Throughputs and Delays in UMTS Network

Figure 10: Overall Delay in the Three Networks

4.2 Handoff in WiMAX

4. Handoff Implementation and Evaluation

4.1 Handoff in WLAN

Figure 12: HO_WiMAX Network Scheme Implementation

4.3 Handoff in UMTS

Figure 15: AP Connectivity for Selected Nodes

Figure 13: HO_UMTS Network Scheme Implementation

4.4 Performance analysis

The results and discussions included three cases studies: the

Figure 16: Access Points Throughput and Delay

Figure 17: Two Dimension Animation Viewer of WLAN

Figure 18: Throughputs, Delay, HO delay, Advertisement

Figure 19: The BSs Throughput in WiMAX Subnet

Figure 20: UMTS HO Results

Figure 21: Throughput, End to End Delay and Uplink

The purpose of this case study is to implement, simulate and

5. Integration, Interworking and

5.1 Integration of Wi-Fi / WiMAX Network

Figure 23: Implementation of WLAN/UMTS Integration