Satellite Beam Handover Management for LEO Cellular Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low earth orbit satellite systems face challenges in providing continuous cellular service due to satellite coverage changes, leading to service continuity distortion and increased management and negotiation traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing satellite coverage changes by maintaining assignment of satellite beams, determining entrance of new satellite beams, assigning them to cells, and deciding to trigger handovers of terminals within the new satellite beam coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If satellite beams are switched instantaneously between cells, then satellite coverage change can be handled quickly, but connection is lost or reestablishment occurs causing service continuity distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity performs preliminary actions by maintaining assignment of the first satellite beam to the first cell even after the second satellite beam enters the geographical area. The handover is triggered at the optimal moment when both beams are available, preventing connection loss while ensuring smooth transition. This preliminary maintenance of the current beam assignment avoids premature switching that would cause service interruption.
2Reliability
If mobile devices perform reestablishments when satellite switches occur, then connection can be restored, but RF connectivity is lost and PRACH collisions occur causing extended delay
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity acts as an intermediary by managing the handover process proactively. It monitors satellite beam positions, determines when the second satellite beam enters the geographical area, and triggers handover at the optimal moment. This intermediary control prevents mobile devices from performing reactive reestablishments that would cause RF connectivity loss and PRACH collisions, thereby reducing service interruption time.
3Reliability
If satellite beams overlap in serving area, then continuous service can be provided, but management and negotiation traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity applies local quality by managing satellite beam assignments specifically within the geographical area where overlap occurs. It maintains the first satellite beam assignment locally in the first cell while the second satellite beam enters, and triggers handover only when appropriate. This localized management approach ensures service continuity in the overlap region without generating excessive management traffic across the entire network.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided measures for satellite coverage change handling. Such measures exemplarily include, at a network entity managing a first cell of a mobile network and a second cell of said mobile network, the first cell covering a geographical area, and the second cell covering said geographical area, maintaining assignment of a first satellite beam corresponding to a first passing satellite to said first cell, a first satellite beam coverage of said first satellite beam overlapping with said geographical area, determining entrance of a second satellite beam coverage of a second satellite beam corresponding to a second passing satellite into said geographical area, assigning said second satellite beam to said second cell, and deciding to trigger handover of a terminal located within said second satellite beam coverage within said geographical area and served by said first cell to said second cell.