Softward-Defined Networking in Heterogeneous Radio Access Networks

Integrating diff erent wireless access technologies to provide users with data service will definitely result in a heterogeneous radio access network. Moving from one wireless domain to another causes traffic being switched from one interface to another. This results in a reestablishment of TCP connection due to the change of the assigned IP address.

Frequent handovers may force users to perform re - logins or application restarts, which undoubtedly jeopardize the quality of experience. This vertical handover problem will not be trivial as mobility is becomin g a dominant factor in communications. This paper provides a possible solution architecture and research direction for vertical handover problem by leveraging the concept of software - defined networking together with existing proposals.