Enhancing 3G high speed wireless data performance through utilization of 3G–WLAN system cooperation: a cross-network, cross-layer approach

Abstract

The third generation (3G) wireless networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) possess complementary characteristics. Recently, there has been significant interest in providing algorithms and specifications that enable their inter-operability. In this paper we propose a novel cross-network, cross-layer algorithm that jointly performs 3G resource allocation and ad-hoc mode WLAN routing towards effectively increasing the performance of the 3G system. The metrics used in this joint design ensures that multi-user diversity is exploited without causing user starvation in the 3G system and the WLAN assistance does not cause an unfair treatment to any of the mobiles from a battery usage point of view. Furthermore, the design attempts to select the WLAN route so that the assistance does not become a major part of the overall link traffic and the internal WLAN traffic can continue almost without any disturbances.