APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT HANDOVER FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO) SATELLITE SYSTEMS

摘要

Approaches for efficient, dynamic and continuous handover processes, which encompass selection of an optimal path (consisting of a satellite, a satellite beam and carrier frequency set) over which a mobile user terminal (UT) communicates with the radio access network in a mobile satellite communications system, are provided. A set of path factors are determined regarding each of a plurality of communications paths for the UT. A path selection metric (PSM) for each communications path is determined, wherein the PSM for each communications path is determined via a weighted calculation based on the respective set of path factors for the communications path. A decision is made as to whether to perform a handover of the UT from a first of the communications paths to a second of the communications paths, wherein the determination is based on an evaluation performed based at least in part on the PSM.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
determining a set of path factors regarding each of a plurality of communications paths for a mobile user terminal (UT) in a mobile satellite communications system; determining a path selection metric (PSM) for each communications path, wherein the PSM for each communications path is determined via a weighted calculation based on the respective set of path factors for the communications path; and determining whether to perform a handover of the UT from a first of the communications paths to a second of the communications paths, wherein the determination is based on an evaluation performed based at least in part on the PSM.