Abstract:

Mobile station performs a handoff when it moves out of the range of one access point and tries to connect to the next. The delay and lost packets caused by the handoff process affect the network quality of service. Taking subway wireless communication system as an application scenario, the number of channels used is reduced, which decreases the scan delay effectively. An algorithm called Layer2-Buff is proposed to solve the problem of lost packets, which sets up buffers for STA, and used to save data that cannot be sent successfully. Test results show that Layer2-Buff reduces the packet loss rate to zero in an automatic train control system, and extra delay to the network is tolerable. This algorithm has been applied to a pre-research project of subway signal systems.

Key words: WLAN, handoff, delay, packet loss rate