Power-friendly access network selection strategy for heterogeneous wireless multimedia networks

Apart from the number and types of applications available to users of diverse devices with various characteristics, a highly relevant issue in current and future wireless environment is the coexistence of multiple networks supported by various access technologies deployed by different operators. In this context, the aim is to keep the mobile users “always best connected” anywhere and anytime in such a multi-technology multi-application multi-terminal multi-user environment. Multimedia streaming to battery powered mobile devices has become widespread. However, the battery power capability has not kept up with the advances in other technologies and it is rapidly becoming a concern. Since multimedia applications are known to be high energy consumers and since the battery lifetime is an important factor for mobile users, this paper proposes a network selection algorithm which bases its decision on the estimated energy consumption. The proposed solution enables the multimedia stream to last longer while maintaining an acceptable user perceived quality by selecting the least power consuming network.