P-Handoff: a protocol for fine grained peer-to-peer vertical handoff

This paper describes a novel approach to using peer to peer wireless links, such as IrDA, Bluetooth and 802.11b. We explain the concept of wireless diversity and its impact on developers and users. We also explore the limitations of classical vertical handoff protocols, such as the need of an infrastructure. We describe our connection diversity framework, upon which is built P-Handoff. We introduce P-Handoff, a new handoff protocol for peer to peer links with fine granularity, which complements vertical handoff and allows to optimise connectivity through multiple wireless links; P-Handoff doesn't require an infrastructure and uses link layer events. We describe some features of our implementation under Linux.