Cooperative networking based on infrastructure multihop architecture in heterogeneous mobile networks

In heterogeneous mobile networks, infrastructure multihop techniques enable mobile stations (MSs) with only a single wireless interface to connect with other networks via multiple-interface MSs (MMSs). That is, MMSs can become gateways between two different mobile networks. Cooperation between different mobile networks linked by MMSs can yield many benefits, including coverage expansion, load balancing, and throughput improvement. We studied how to control these cooperative benefits. We developed a network control mechanism, Cooperative Networking, which controls the cooperative benefits in heterogeneous infra-multihop networks. The proposed mechanism assigns a cooperation rule to MSs. By following the rule, every MS chooses a path to a base station, such as direct connection to 3G networks or infra-multihop connection to wireless local area networks (WLANs). Cooperation rules are designed according to the cooperative benefits, which are selected based on the needs of network operators or users. We call a selected cooperative benefit a networking policy. In our proposed cooperative networking mechanism, network operators can adaptively select a networking policy appropriate for network conditions and the needs of users. Computer simulation results validated our proposed mechanism.