Satellite coverage change processing

Abstract

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to satellite coverage change processing. Measures for satellite coverage change processing are provided. These measures exemplarily include: at a network entity managing a first cell and a second cell of the mobile network (the first cell covers a geographic area, and the second cell covers the geographic area), maintaining the assignment of a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite to the first cell, the coverage area of ​​the first satellite beam overlapping the geographic area; determining that the coverage area of ​​a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite enters the geographic area; assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell; and deciding to trigger a handover to the second cell by a terminal located within the coverage area of ​​the second satellite beam and served by the first cell.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to satellite coverage change handling. More specifically, various example embodiments exemplarily relate to measures (including methods, apparatuses, and computer program products) for implementing satellite coverage change handling. BACKGROUND

[0002] This specification generally relates to providing cellular service to existing Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Fifth Generation (5G) users using a low Earth orbit satellite system.

[0003] In such a low Earth orbit satellite system, the satellite acts as a radio frequency (RF) antenna for the system, while the baseband (BB) unit is located at a ground station. In such a system, the satellite provides coverage to a location on the ground for only a limited time. Thereafter, the satellite continues to move, and coverage to that geographical location is provided by another satellite.

[0004] Satellite systems are attempting to interact with commercial mobile devices (terminals, users, user equipment (UE), such as mobile phones) using existing LTE / 5G standards.

[0005] When using low orbit satellites, satellites move in and out of service areas that serve respective mobile devices.

[0006] In order to provide continuous service to mobile devices, satellite beams of setting satellites (“moving out” satellites) and rising satellites (“moving in” satellites) overlap within the service area for a short period of time.

[0007] When a handover of a satellite (for a mobile device) occurs, the timing advance can change significantly for the mobile device, which will result in a loss of connection or experiencing a reestablishment if the RF of the cell is switching between beams at exactly the same time.

[0008] Furthermore, allowing the mobile device to perform only a reestablishment will result in the mobile device losing the RF connection and will also result in a contention-based random access channel (RACH) sequence, which will cause a physical random access channel (PRACH) collision in heavily loaded cells that require an extended delay.

[0009] Thus, there arises a problem that cellular service provided or supported with low Earth orbit satellites can cause distortions in service continuity as well as an increase in management and negotiation of traffic.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to provide satellite coverage change handling. SUMMARY

[0011] Various example embodiments are directed to addressing at least partially one or more of the problems and / or disadvantages with the related art.

[0012] Aspects of the example embodiments are presented in the appended claims.

[0013] According to an example aspect, there is provided a method for a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the method comprising: maintaining an assignment of a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area; determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area; assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell; and deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0014] According to an example aspect, there is provided an apparatus of a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the apparatus comprising: maintaining circuitry configured to maintain an assignment of a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area; entering determining circuitry configured to determine a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area; assigning circuitry configured to assign the second satellite beam to the second cell; and deciding circuitry configured to decide to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0015] According to an example aspect, there is provided an apparatus of a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform: maintaining an assignment of a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area; determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area; assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell; and deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0016] According to an example aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program is run on a computer (e.g. a computer of an apparatus according to any one of the preceding apparatus-related example aspects of the present disclosure), is configured to cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding method-related example aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] Such a computer program product can comprise (or be embodied as) a (tangible) computer-readable (storage) medium having stored thereon the computer-executable computer program code, and / or the program can be directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer or a processor thereof.

[0018] Any of the above aspects enable an efficient handover between satellites, thereby addressing at least part of the problems and drawbacks associated with the prior art.

[0019] Satellite coverage change handling is provided by way of example embodiments. More specifically, measures and mechanisms for implementing satellite coverage change handling are provided by way of example embodiments.

[0020] Hence, improvements are achieved by the methods, apparatuses and computer program products enabling / realizing satellite coverage change handling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In the following, the present disclosure will be described in more detail, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to an example embodiment,

[0023] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to an example embodiment,

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to an example embodiment,

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a radio scenario according to an example embodiment, the radio scenario comprising two satellites having overlapping coverage, and a ground station,

[0026] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of state transitions of involved cells according to an example embodiment, and

[0027] Figure 6 is a block diagram alternatively illustrating an apparatus according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] This disclosure is described herein with reference to specific, non-limiting examples and embodiments that are now considered conceivable. Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is by no means limited to these examples and can be applied more broadly.

[0029] It should be noted that the following description of this disclosure and its embodiments primarily refers to specifications used as non-limiting examples of certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. That is, this disclosure and its embodiments are primarily described with respect to 3GPP specifications used as non-limiting examples of certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. Therefore, the descriptions of the exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refer to terms directly related to them. Such terms are used only in the context of the presented non-limiting examples and are naturally not intended to limit this disclosure in any way. Rather, any other communication or communication-related system deployments, etc., may be utilized as long as they conform to the features described herein.

[0030] In the following description, various embodiments and implementations of this disclosure and its aspects or examples are described using several variations and / or alternatives. It should generally be noted that, depending on certain needs and limitations, all the described variations and / or alternatives may be provided individually or in any conceivable combination (including combinations of individual features of the various variations and / or alternatives).

[0031] According to example embodiments, measures and mechanisms are generally provided for (enabling / implementing) handling of changes in satellite coverage.

[0032] In short, according to the example implementation, the handover function in the existing LTE / 5G standard or the corresponding future cell-based mobile network standard is used to hand over the satellite serving the user (i.e., the mobile device, such as the terminal).

[0033] Since the baseband (BB) unit is located at the ground station, no changes are required.

[0034] According to the example embodiment, the BB cell uses two independent physical cells to cover a geographic area.

[0035] Here, basically, one cell is connected to the removing (sinking) satellite, and one unit is connected to the removing (rising) satellite.

[0036] According to the example embodiment, during the overlap of two satellites, a UE (i.e., a mobile device, such as a terminal) served by the fallen cell (RF-connected to the fallen satellite) performs a handover to the rising cell (RF-connected to the rising satellite). Therefore, to the user (i.e., the mobile device, such as the terminal), this appears to be a periodic handover, and no software changes are required at the mobile device.

[0037] The following describes the example embodiments in more detail.

[0038] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to an example embodiment. The apparatus can be a network node or entity 10, such as a base station managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the base station comprising holding circuitry 11, determining circuitry 12, assigning circuitry 13 and deciding circuitry 14. The holding circuitry 11 holds assigning to the first cell a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area. The determining circuitry 12 determines a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area. The assigning circuitry 13 assigns to the second cell the second satellite beam. The deciding circuitry 14 decides triggering handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a process according to an example embodiment. According to Figure 1 the apparatus can perform Figure 3 the method, but is not limited to this method. Figure 3 the method can be performed by Figure 1 the apparatus, but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

[0039] As illustrated in Figure 3 , the process according to an example embodiment comprises an operation of holding (S31) assigning to the first cell a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area; an operation of determining (S32) a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area; an operation of assigning (S33) to the second cell the second satellite beam; and an operation of deciding (S34) triggering handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0040] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to an example embodiment. In particular, Figure 2 illustrates a variant of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 . Thus, the apparatus according to Figure 2 may also comprise triggering circuitry 21, receiving circuitry 22, detecting circuitry 23, controlling circuitry 24 and / or releasing circuitry 25.

[0041] In one embodiment, Figure 1 (or Figure 2At least some functions of the apparatus shown can be shared between two physically independent devices forming an operational entity. Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus describes an operational entity comprising one or more physically independent devices for performing at least some of the processes described.

[0042] according to Figure 3 The variations of the illustrated process provide exemplary additional operations, which are independent of each other. According to this variation, the exemplary method of the example embodiment may include the operation of triggering the handover of the terminal to the second cell.

[0043] according to Figure 3 The variation of the process shown provides exemplary details of the decision operation (S34) (determining to trigger a handover of the terminal), which are independent of each other. This exemplary decision operation (S34) according to the example embodiment may include at least one of the following operations: receiving signaling indicating that the second satellite beam is available in the second cell; receiving a measurement report from the terminal indicating that the second cell is available to the terminal; receiving an indication from the terminal that the second cell is a handover candidate; and detecting an active radio frequency link on the second cell.

[0044] according to Figure 3 Variations of the illustrated process provide exemplary additional operations, which are independent of each other. According to this variation, an exemplary method based on an example embodiment may include controlling the first cell to broadcast a cell barring.

[0045] according to Figure 3 The variations of the illustrated process provide exemplary additional operations that are independent of each other. According to this variation, an exemplary method based on the example embodiment may include controlling the first cell to start a cell prohibition timer and stopping the broadcasting of the cell prohibition when the cell prohibition timer expires.

[0046] according to Figure 3 Variations of the illustrated process provide exemplary additional operations that are independent of each other. According to this variation, an exemplary method based on an example embodiment may include the operation of determining the assignment to release the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0047] according to Figure 3 The variations of the illustrated process provide exemplary additional operations, which are independent of each other. According to this variation, the exemplary method according to the example embodiment may include the operation of releasing the first satellite beam to the first cell as assigned.

[0048] According to a variant of the procedure illustrated in Figure 3 , exemplary additional operations are given, which are independent of each other. According to this variant, the exemplary method according to the example embodiment can comprise an operation of determining that a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passing satellite enters the geographical area; an operation of assigning the third satellite beam to the first cell; and an operation of deciding to trigger a handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell.

[0049] According to a variant of the procedure illustrated in Figure 3 , exemplary details of the determining operation (determining to release the assignment) are given, which are independent of each other. This exemplary determining operation according to the example embodiment can comprise at least one of the following operations: an operation of detecting that a handover of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell is completed; and an operation of detecting that the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam does not overlap with the geographical area.

[0050] The example embodiments outlined and described above will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a radio scenario according to an example embodiment, comprising two satellites with overlapping coverage and a ground station.

[0052] According to an example embodiment, two independent physical LTE / 5G cells (or cells of a future cellular network) are used to provide coverage for a geographical location.

[0053] The two cells are paired to facilitate satellite beam handover.

[0054] So far, as Figure 4 illustrated, a baseband unit (provided by or at a ground station) with multiple NodeBs (NB 1, NB 2 in the example illustrated in Figure 4 connects to two satellites (a setting (leaving) satellite and a rising (entering / approaching) satellite). The two satellites are moving and the coverage of the two satellites is moving. As Figure 4 illustrated, the coverage of the two satellites overlaps to some extent.

[0055] According to an example embodiment, a mobile device (e.g., UE) (UE A, UE B, UE C in the example illustrated in Figure 4 ) located within the overlapping area of the coverage of the two satellites is handed over from a cell corresponding to the setting (leaving) satellite (setting cell) to a cell corresponding to the rising (entering / approaching) satellite (rising cell).

[0056] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of state transitions of the involved cells is shown according to example embodiments.

[0057] As Figure 5 shown, according to example embodiments, during the stable state, when only one satellite covers the geographical area, one cell is in active state (e.g. the cell represented by the state transition on the left) and the partner cell is in inactive state (no radio frequency) (e.g. the cell represented by the state transition on the right). Figure 5 Figure 5 The stable state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the left.

[0058] When the current satellite leaves the geographical area and another satellite enters the coverage of this area (the rising satellite is available in the state transition on the right), the inactive cell connects to this new satellite (e.g. the cell represented by the state transition on the right). Thus, both partner cells are connected to two separate satellites. Figure 5 Figure 5 The rising state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the right.

[0059] All users are handed over from the setting cell (the previously active cell) to the rising cell (the previously inactive cell) (beam handover (HO) starts in the state transition on the left; the setting state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the left). Figure 5 Figure 5 The incoming beam handover is completed in the state transition on the right.

[0060] Once the handover is completed and / or the setting satellite no longer covers the geographical area (beam handover is completed in the state transition on the left; incoming beam handover is completed in the state transition on the right), the setting cell becomes inactive state (e.g. the inactive state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the left). Thus, the rising cell becomes stable state (e.g. the stable state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the right). Figure 5 Figure 5 The stable state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the right. Figure 5 Figure 6 The stable state of the cell is represented by the state transition on the right.

[0061] This state corresponds to the stable state mentioned above, with the roles of the two cells interchanged.

[0062] According to example embodiments, the beam handover can be initiated by any one of the following triggers (or a combination thereof) (trigger):

[0063] 1) an external signal from the satellite controller that the rising satellite is available,

[0064] 2) a measurement report from the user unit / mobile device indicating the presence of the rising cell, and

[0065] 3) detection of an active radio frequency link on the inactive partner cell.​​​​​

[0066] According to example embodiments, once a cell is in the sunken state, the cell can trigger the handover of UEs (mobile devices) to a partner cell (rising cell) using the following methods:

[0067] 1) Blind handover: if the coverage of the rising and sunken satellites are the same, and

[0068] 2) UE / mobile device measurement based: the UEs (mobile devices) report the partner cell (rising cell) as a handover candidate. Special measurement reporting can be configured at the UE for these beam handovers. This measurement can only be triggered when the partner cell is visible, independent of the serving cell measurement.

[0069] According to example embodiments, the sunken cell broadcasts a cell barring to achieve the following goals:

[0070] 1) Prevent any new UEs / mobile devices from connecting to it. In this case, the UEs / mobile devices should instead connect to the rising cell,

[0071] 2) Move the idle UEs / mobile devices faster to the rising cell to prevent loss of paging, and

[0072] 3) Prevent the UEs / mobile devices from creating a ping-pong effect, which is the handover from the sunken cell to the rising cell and back to the sunken cell.

[0073] According to further example embodiments, the sunken cell starts a "non-barring timer". At the expiration of this timer, the cell barring is lifted in order to prepare the cell for the next (rising / entering) satellite.

[0074] According to example embodiments, the sunken cell has a restricted handover mechanism to achieve the following goals:

[0075] 1) All handovers are completed within the satellite overlap time,

[0076] 2) No resource overload on the baseband unit,

[0077] 3) Minimize PRACH congestion, and

[0078] 4) Only use contention-free preambles.

[0079] According to example embodiments, preferably, the network plan should ensure that there is no physical cell identity (PCI) conflict between the rising and sunken satellite cells. Handover from a rising satellite cell to a sunken satellite cell due to mobility is not allowed. However, handover from a rising or sunken cell to a neighbor that is not in the sunken state can be allowed due to mobility.

[0080] The above procedures and functions can be implemented by corresponding functional elements, processors, etc. as described below.

[0081] In the foregoing exemplary description of the network entity, only functional blocks are used to describe units relevant to understanding the principles of the present disclosure. The network entity can include other units necessary for its respective operation. However, the description of these units is omitted in the present specification. The arrangement of the functional blocks of the device is not to be construed to limit the present disclosure, and the functions can be performed by one block, or further divided into sub-blocks.

[0082] When it is stated in the foregoing description that an apparatus (i.e., a network entity (or some other component)) is configured to perform some functions, this is to be construed as equivalent to a description in which a processor or corresponding circuitry (potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in a memory of the corresponding apparatus) is configured to cause the apparatus to at least perform the above-mentioned functions. Further, the functions are to be construed as being equally implementable with dedicatedly configured circuitry or components for performing the respective functions (i.e., the expression "unit configured to" is to be construed as equivalent to expressions such as "component for").

[0083] In Figure 6 , an alternative illustration of an apparatus according to an example embodiment is depicted. As Figures 1 to 5 indicated, the apparatus (network entity) 10' (corresponding to the network entity 10) comprises, according to an example embodiment, a processor 61, a memory 62, and an interface 63 connected by a bus 64 or the like, and the apparatus 10' can be connected with another apparatus (e.g., an interface of another apparatus) via a link 69.

[0084] The processor 61 and / or the interface 63 can further comprise a modem or the like, respectively, to facilitate communication over a (hard-wired or wireless) link. The interface 63 can comprise a suitable transceiver coupled to one or more antennas or communication means for (hard-wired or wireless) communication with a linked or connected device(s), respectively. The interface 63 is generally configured to communicate with at least one other apparatus (i.e., its interface).

[0085] The memory 62 can store a respective program (presumably comprising program instructions or computer program code) which, when executed by the respective processor, enables the respective electronic device or apparatus to operate in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0086] Generally, the respective device / apparatus (and / or parts thereof) can represent means for performing respective operations and / or exhibiting respective functionalities, and / or the respective device (and / or parts thereof) can have functionality to perform respective operations and / or exhibit respective functionalities.

[0087] When, in the following description, a processor (or some other component) is described as being configured to perform certain functions, this should be interpreted as a description of an apparatus wherein at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the described functions, the processor potentially cooperating with computer program code stored in a memory of the respective apparatus. Further, the functions should be interpreted as being equally realizable with a specifically configured component for performing the respective functions (i.e. the expression "processor configured to cause the apparatus to..." should be interpreted as being equivalent to an expression such as "a component for performing...").

[0088] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus representing a network entity 10 which manages a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, comprises at least one processor 61, at least one memory 62 including computer program code, and at least one interface 63 configured to communicate with at least another apparatus. The processor, i.e. at least one processor 61, having at least one memory 62 and computer program code, is configured to: perform maintaining an assignment of a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passage of a satellite to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area (hence, the apparatus comprises a corresponding means for maintaining); perform determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passage of the satellite entering the geographical area (hence, the apparatus comprises a corresponding means for determining); perform assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell (hence, the apparatus comprises a corresponding means for assigning); and perform deciding to trigger a handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell (hence, the apparatus comprises a corresponding means for deciding).

[0089] More details regarding the operational / functionalities of the individual apparatuses are referred to the above description made in connection with any of the ​

[0090] For the purposes of the present disclosure as described herein above, it should be noted that:

[0091] Method steps possibly implemented as software code portions and utilizable by a processor at a network server or network entity (as examples of devices, apparatuses and / or modules thereof, or as examples of entities comprising apparatuses and / or modules) are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language;

[0092] Generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the embodiments and its modifications in its functionality; ​

[0093] Method steps and / or devices, units or components potentially realized as hardware components of the above-defined apparatus or any module(s) thereof, e.g. a device carrying out the functionality of the apparatus according to the above-mentioned embodiments, are hardware independent and can be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these technologies, such as MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic), etc., for example using ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field-programmable Gate Arrays) components, CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components;

[0094] Devices, units or components, e.g. any of the above-defined network entities or network registers, or respective units / components thereof, can be implemented as individual devices, units or components, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as their functionality as a whole is preserved.

[0095] Apparatuses like user equipment and network entities / network registers can be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or (hardware) modules comprising such chip or chipset; however, this does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in (hardware) modules in which the software is stored on a carrier, such as a disk, a CD, a USB stick, a memory card, etc.

[0096] For example, a device can be seen as a component of an apparatus or of more than one apparatus, whether functionally independent of one another or functionally interdependent, but located within the same device housing.

[0097] Generally, it shall be noted that if a respective functional block or element according to the above aspects is only adapted to perform the described functionality of the respective component, it can be implemented in hardware and / or software, respectively, by any known means. The above-described method steps can be implemented in a single function block, or by a single device, or one or more method steps can be implemented in a single function block, or by a single device.

[0098] Generally, any method step or action can be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the present disclosure. Devices and components can be implemented as individual devices, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device is preserved. It is to be understood that such and similar principles are to be considered as known to a skilled person.

[0099] Software in the sense of the present description comprises software code as such, including code embodied in hardware, in particular in computer-readable (storage) media such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, which, when executed by a computer, is able to perform a certain function. Software in the sense of the present description is therefore a tangible and non-transitory entity.

[0100] The present disclosure also encompasses any conceivable combination of the above method steps and operations, as well as any conceivable combination of the above nodes, apparatuses, modules or elements, as long as the concepts of the above method and structural arrangements apply.

[0101] In view of the above, measures of satellite coverage change handling are provided. These measures exemplarily comprise, at a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network (the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area): maintaining a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite assigned to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area; determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area; assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell; and deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0102] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to them. Rather, obvious changes and modifications, which are not explicitly described herein, can be made to the present disclosure by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein.

[0103] Furthermore, the details of the above disclosure encompass the following example items.

[0104] Item 1. A method for a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the method comprising:

[0105] maintaining a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite assigned to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area,

[0106] determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area,

[0107] assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell, and

[0108] deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the coverage of the second satellite beam and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0109] Item 2. The method of item 1, further comprising:

[0110] triggering the handover of the terminal to the second cell.

[0111] Item 3. The method of item 1 or 2, wherein:

[0112] regarding the decision to trigger handover of the terminal, the method further comprises at least one of:

[0113] receiving signaling indicating that the second satellite beam is available in the second cell,

[0114] receiving a measurement report from the terminal indicating that the second cell is available to the terminal,

[0115] receiving an indication from the terminal that the second cell is a handover candidate, and detecting an active radio frequency link on the second cell.

[0116] Item 4. The method of any of items 1 to 3, further comprising:

[0117] controlling the first cell to broadcast a cell barring.

[0118] Item 5. The method of item 4, further comprising:

[0119] controlling the first cell to:

[0120] start a cell barring timer, and

[0121] upon expiration of the cell barring timer, stop broadcasting the cell barring.

[0122] Item 6. The method of any of items 1 to 5, further comprising:

[0123] determining to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0124] Item 7. The method of item 6, further comprising:

[0125] releasing the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0126] Item 8. The method of item 7, further comprising:

[0127] determining that a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passing satellite enters the geographical area,

[0128] assigning the third satellite beam to the first cell, and

[0129] deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell.

[0130] Item 9. The method according to any one of items 6 to 8, wherein:

[0131] regarding the determination to release the assignment, the method further comprises at least one of:

[0132] detecting completion of handover of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell, and

[0133] detecting that the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam does not overlap with the geographical area.

[0134] Item 10. An apparatus of a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the apparatus comprising:

[0135] circuitry configured to keep assigned to the first cell a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping with the geographical area,

[0136] determining circuitry configured to determine that a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite enters the geographical area,

[0137] assigning circuitry configured to assign the second satellite beam to the second cell, and

[0138] deciding circuitry configured to decide to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0139] Item 11. The apparatus according to item 10, further comprising:

[0140] triggering circuitry configured to trigger the handover of the terminal to the second cell.

[0141] Item 12. The apparatus according to item 10 or 11, wherein:

[0142] The decision circuitry is configured to perform at least one of:

[0143] receiving signaling indicating that the second satellite beam is available in the second cell,

[0144] receiving a measurement report from the terminal indicating that the second cell is available to the terminal,

[0145] receiving an indication from the terminal that the second cell is a handover candidate, and detecting an active radio frequency link on the second cell.

[0146] Item 13. The apparatus according to any of items 10 to 12, further comprising:

[0147] control circuitry configured to control the first cell to broadcast a cell bar.

[0148] Item 14. The apparatus according to item 13, further comprising:

[0149] control circuitry configured to control the first cell to:

[0150] start a cell bar timer, and

[0151] stop broadcasting the cell bar upon expiration of the cell bar timer.

[0152] Item 15. The apparatus according to any of items 10 to 14, further comprising:

[0153] release determination circuitry configured to determine to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0154] Item 16. The apparatus according to item 15, further comprising:

[0155] release circuitry configured to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0156] Item 17. The apparatus according to item 16, wherein:

[0157] the entering determination circuitry is configured to determine that a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passing satellite enters the geographical area,

[0158] the assignment circuitry is configured to assign the third satellite beam to the first cell, and

[0159] the decision circuitry is configured to decide to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell.

[0160] Item 18. The apparatus of any one of Items 15 to 17, wherein:

[0161] the release determining circuitry is configured to perform at least one of:

[0162] detecting a handover completion of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell, and

[0163] detecting that the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam does not overlap with the geographical area.

[0164] Item 19. An apparatus of a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the apparatus comprising:

[0165] at least one processor,

[0166] at least one memory including computer program code,

[0167] at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus,

[0168] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0169] maintaining a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite assigned to the first cell, the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping with the geographical area,

[0170] determining that a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite enters the geographical area,

[0171] assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell, and

[0172] deciding to trigger a handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage of the second satellite beam and served by the first cell to the second cell.

[0173] Item 20. The apparatus of Item 19, wherein:

[0174] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0175] triggering the handover of the terminal to the second cell.

[0176] Item 21. The apparatus of Item 19 or 20, wherein:

[0177] In relation to the decision to trigger handover of the terminal, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least one of:

[0178] receiving signaling indicating that the second satellite beam is available in the second cell,

[0179] receiving, from the terminal, a measurement report indicating that the second cell is available to the terminal,

[0180] receiving, from the terminal, an indication of the second cell as a handover candidate, and detecting an active radio frequency link on the second cell.

[0181] Item 22. The apparatus according to any of items 19 to 21, wherein:

[0182] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0183] controlling the first cell to broadcast a cell barring.

[0184] Item 23. The apparatus according to item 22, wherein:

[0185] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0186] controlling the first cell to:

[0187] start a cell barring timer, and

[0188] upon expiry of the cell barring timer, stop broadcasting the cell barring.

[0189] Item 24. The apparatus according to any of items 19 to 23, wherein:

[0190] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0191] determining to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0192] Item 25. The apparatus according to item 24, wherein:

[0193] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0194] determining to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell.

[0195] Item 26. The apparatus according to item 25, wherein:

[0196] the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program codes, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:

[0197] determining that a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passed satellite enters the geographical area,

[0198] assigning the third satellite beam to the first cell, and

[0199] deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell.

[0200] Item 27. The apparatus according to any one of items 24 to 26, wherein:

[0201] regarding the determination of releasing the assignment, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program codes, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least one of:

[0202] detecting that handover of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell is completed, and

[0203] detecting that the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam does not overlap with the geographical area.

[0204] Item 28. A computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program is run on a computer, is configured to cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of items 1 to 9.

[0205] Item 29. The computer program product according to item 28, wherein the computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium on which the computer- executable computer program code is stored, and / or wherein the program is directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer or of a processor thereof.

[0206] List of acronyms and abbreviations

[0207] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0208] 5G Fifth Generation

[0209] BB Base Band

[0210] HO Handover

[0211] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0212] NR New Radio

[0213] PCI physical cell identity

[0214] PRACH physical random access channel

[0215] RACH random access channel

[0216] RF radio frequency

[0217] SV satellite

[0218] UE user equipment

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising: performing, by a network entity, management of a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, the method comprising: maintaining a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite assigned to the first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area, determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area, at least one of: receiving signaling indicating the second satellite beam is available in the second cell, receiving a measurement report from the terminal indicating the second cell is available to the terminal, or receiving an indication from the terminal that the second cell is a handover candidate, and assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell, deciding to trigger handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell, determining to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell, releasing the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell, wherein the releasing comprises: controlling the first cell assigned with the first satellite beam to perform a broadcast cell barring; starting a cell barring timer; and upon expiration of the cell barring timer, stopping broadcasting the broadcast cell barring, and removing the cell barring; determining a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passing satellite entering the geographical area, assigning the third satellite beam to the first cell, deciding to trigger handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell, wherein all handovers of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell are completed within a satellite overlap time, no resource overload occurs on baseband units, physical random access channel congestion is minimized, and only contention-free preambles are used.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: triggering the handover of the terminal to the second cell.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: in relation to the deciding to trigger handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell, the method further comprises: detecting an active radio frequency link on the second cell.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 2, comprising: based on the releasing, setting a cell broadcast cell barring to satisfy preventing user equipment from connecting and causing the user equipment to connect to a partner cell, preventing loss of paging, and ping-pong effect of handover.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: in relation to the determining to release the assignment, the method further comprises at least one of: detecting completion of handover of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell, and detecting that the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam does not overlap with the geographical area.

6. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: managing, with a network entity, a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, circuitry configured to keep assigned to the first cell a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping with the geographical area, circuitry configured to determine that a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite enters the geographical area, at least one of: receiving circuitry configured to receive signaling indicating that the second satellite beam is available in the second cell, receiving circuitry configured to receive, from the terminal, a measurement report indicating that the second cell is available to the terminal, or receiving circuitry configured to receive, from the terminal, an indication of the second cell as a handover candidate, assigning circuitry configured to assign to the second cell the second satellite beam, deciding circuitry configured to decide to trigger handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell, releasing determining circuitry configured to determine to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell, wherein the releasing comprises: controlling the first cell assigned with the first satellite beam to perform broadcast cell barring; starting a cell barring timer; and upon expiry of the cell barring timer, stopping broadcasting the broadcast cell barring and removing the cell barring; and releasing circuitry configured to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell, wherein: the entering determining circuitry is configured to determine that a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passing satellite enters the geographical area, the assigning circuitry is configured to assign to the first cell the third satellite beam, and the deciding circuitry is configured to decide to trigger handover of a terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell, wherein all handovers of terminals served by the first cell to the second cell are completed within a satellite overlap time, no resource overload occurs on baseband units, physical random access channel congestion is minimized, and only contention-free preambles are used.

7. An apparatus for communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, The at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform: with a network entity, the network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of the mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area and the second cell covering the geographical area, maintaining an assignment of the first cell to a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite, a first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam overlapping the geographical area, determining a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite entering the geographical area, at least one of: receiving signaling indicating that the second satellite beam is available in the second cell, receiving a measurement report from the terminal, the measurement report indicating that the second cell is available to the terminal, or receiving an indication from the terminal that the second cell is a handover candidate, and assigning the second satellite beam to the second cell, deciding to trigger a handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell, determining to release the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell, releasing the assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell, wherein the releasing comprises: controlling the first cell assigned with the first satellite beam to perform a broadcast cell barring; starting a cell barring timer; and upon expiry of the cell barring timer, stopping broadcasting the broadcast cell barring and removing the cell barring; determining a third satellite beam coverage of a third satellite beam corresponding to a third passing satellite entering the geographical area, assigning the third satellite beam to the first cell, deciding to trigger a handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the third satellite beam coverage and served by the second cell to the first cell, wherein all handovers of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell are completed within a satellite overlap time, no resource overload occurs on baseband units, physical random access channel congestion is minimized, and only contention-free preambles are used.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform: triggering the handover of the terminal to the second cell.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein: in connection with the decision to trigger a handover of the terminal located within the geographical area and within the second satellite beam coverage and served by the first cell to the second cell, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform: detecting an active radio frequency link on the second cell.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein: based on the releasing, setting a cell broadcast cell barring to meet a blocking of user equipment connections and causing the user equipment connections to a partner cell, a loss of paging, and a ping-pong effect of handovers.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein: in connection with the determination to release the assignment, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program codes, is further configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least one of: detecting completion of handover of all terminals served by the first cell to the second cell, and detecting that the first satellite beam coverage of the first satellite beam does not overlap with the geographical area.

12. A computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program product is run on a computer, is configured to cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer program product optionally comprises a computer-readable medium on which the computer-executable computer program code is stored, and / or wherein the program is directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer or a processor thereof.

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