# US 2021/0242933 A1 · Systems and methods for handover of mobile devices, radio cells and space vehicles for mobile satellite wireless access > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0242933 A1 - Document ID: US20210242933A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/090,798 - Filed: 2020-11-05 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-07 - Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Inventors: Stephen William EDGE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210242933A1 ## CPC - H04B 7/18545: {Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation} - H04B 7/18547: {for geolocalisation of a station (position fixing by direction or distance determination G01S5/00)} - H04B 7/18513: {Transmission in a satellite or space-based system} - H04B 7/18541: {for handover of resources} - H04W 8/26: Network addressing or numbering for mobility support - H04W 12/037: of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic - H04W 12/08: Access security - H04W 12/63: Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent - H04W 16/28: using beam steering - H04W 36/00837: {Determination of triggering parameters for hand-off} - H04W 36/08: Reselecting an access point - H04W 36/32: by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data - H04W 36/324: {by mobility data, e.g. speed data} - H04W 36/328: {by altitude} - H04W 36/385: {of the core network} - H04W 48/10: using broadcasted information - H04W 48/12: using downlink control channel - H04W 56/0045: {compensating for timing error by altering transmission time} - H04W 60/04: using triggered events - H04W 64/00: Locating users or terminals {or network equipment} for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management - H04W 64/006: {with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination} - H04W 76/15: Setup of multiple wireless link connections - H04W 16/26: Cell enhancers {or enhancement}, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow - H04W 36/0061: {of neighbour cell information} - H04W 36/085: {involving beams of access points} - H04W 84/005: {Moving wireless networks} - H04W 84/042: {Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems} - H04W 84/06: Airborne or Satellite Networks (space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Access, mobility management and regulatory services are supported for satellite access to a Fifth Generation (5G) core network (5GCN). Signaling including data and voice for radio cells supported by a satellite is transported between UEs and a core network via an earth station. When the satellite is transferred to a new earth station, the signaling can be transferred to the new earth station and possibly to a new base station. The UEs may remain with their current radio cells with a regenerative satellite or be assisted to remain with their current radio cells with a transparent satellite. The signaling transfer between the earth stations may occur at a Level 1 or Level 2. A modified handover procedure may be used with a regenerative satellite with split architecture when there is a change of base station. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method performed by a first network node for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), the method comprising: transporting first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, and wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells; ceasing to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time; and enabling the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first signaling and the second signaling comprise user plane signaling and control plane signaling, wherein the user plane signaling includes signaling for data and voice connections between each of the plurality of UEs and external entities, and wherein the control plane signaling includes signaling for connections and associations between each of the plurality of UEs and entities in the Core Network. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first network node and the second network node comprise a same satellite NodeB (sNB), wherein the first signaling and the second signaling are transported via the SV in a transparent mode, wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises at least one of: determining a timing for each radio cell in the first plurality of radio cells, wherein the timing is applicable after the second time, and providing the timing of a serving radio cell in the first plurality of radio cells to each UE in the first plurality of UEs before the second time; determining a timing advance for each UE in the first plurality of UEs, wherein the timing advance is applicable after the second time, and providing the timing advance to each UE in the first plurality of UEs before the second time; or a combination thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein determining the timing for each radio cell in the first plurality of radio cells is based on (i) a known orbital position of the SV, and (ii) known or measured propagation and transmission delays for: signaling links between the sNB and the first earth station, signaling links between the first earth station and the SV; signaling links between the sNB and the second earth station; signaling links between the second earth station and the SV; and signaling links between the SV and the first plurality of UEs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first network node and the second network node comprise a same satellite Node B (sNB), wherein the sNB is included within the SV, and wherein the first signaling and the second signaling are transported via the SV in a regenerative mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as Level 1 relays, wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises: transferring, at the second time, a plurality of data links from the first earth station to the second earth station, wherein each data link in the plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the sNB and the core network, and wherein signaling for each data link in the plurality of data links is transported through the first earth station at a Level 1 prior to the second time and is transported through the second earth station at a Level 1 after the second time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as Level 2 relays, wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises: releasing, immediately prior to the second time, a first plurality of data links between the sNB and the core network, wherein the first plurality of data links transports the first signaling, and wherein each data link in the first plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the sNB and the first earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the first earth station and the core network; transferring, at the second time and from the first earth station to the second earth station, a Level 1 transport of signaling between the sNB and the core network; and establishing, immediately after the second time, a second plurality of data links between the sNB and the core network, wherein the second plurality of data links transports the second signaling, wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the sNB and the second earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the second earth station and the core network, and wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links corresponds to one data link in the first plurality of data links. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the SV is used in a regenerative mode with a split architecture, wherein the SV includes a satellite NodeB (sNB) Distributed Unit (sNB-DU), wherein the sNB-DU communicates with a first sNB Central Unit (sNB-CU) to transport the first signaling and with a second sNB-CU to transport the second signaling, wherein the first signaling is transported between the sNB-DU and the core network via the first sNB-CU, and wherein the second signaling is transported between the sNB-DU and the core network via the second sNB-CU. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first sNB-CU comprises the second sNB-CU, the first network node comprises the second network node, and wherein the first network node comprises the sNB-DU or the first sNB-CU. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as Level 1 relays, wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises: transferring, at the second time, a plurality of data links from the first earth station to the second earth station, wherein each data link in the plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, wherein each data link in the plurality of data links is transported through the first earth station at a Level 1 prior to the second time and is transported through the second earth station at a Level 1 after the second time. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as a Level 2 relays, wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises: releasing, immediately prior to the second time, a first plurality of data links between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, wherein the first plurality of data links transports the first signaling, and wherein each data link in the first plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the first network node and the first earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the first earth station and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU; transferring, at the second time and from the first earth station to the second earth station, a Level 1 transport of signaling between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU; and establishing, immediately after the second time, a second plurality of data links between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, wherein the second plurality of data links transports the second signaling, wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the first network node and the second earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the second earth station and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, and wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links corresponds to one data link in the first plurality of data links. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first sNB-CU is different than the second sNB-CU, and further comprising: enabling the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV by performing a modified handover procedure for each UE in the first plurality of UEs, wherein either (i) the first network node comprises the first sNB-CU and the second network node comprises the second sNB-CU, or (ii) the first network node and the second network node each comprise the sNB-DU. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein performing the modified handover procedure for each UE in the first plurality of UEs comprises at least one of: releasing first non-UE associated links and connections between the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU immediately before the second time, wherein signaling for the first non-UE associated links and connections is transported between the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU via the first earth station at a Level 1 or a Level 2; establishing second non-UE associated links and connections between the sNB-DU and the second sNB-CU immediately after the second time, wherein signaling for the second non-UE associated links and connections is transported between the sNB-DU and the second sNB-CU via the second earth station at a Level 1 or a Level 2; releasing first UE associated connections and tunnels between the sNB-DU, the first sNB-CU and the core network immediately before the second time, wherein signaling for the first UE associated connections and tunnels is transported between the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU using the first non-UE associated links and connections; establishing second UE associated connections and tunnels between the sNB-DU, the second sNB-CU and the core network immediately after the second time, wherein signaling for the second UE associated connections and tunnels is transported between the sNB-DU and the second sNB-CU via the second earth station using the second non-UE associated links and connections; or a combination thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: transporting third signaling between a second plurality of UEs and the Core Network at the first time, wherein the third signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, wherein the third signaling is transported between the SV and the second plurality of UEs using a second plurality of radio cells; and handing over the second plurality of UEs before the second time to a third plurality of radio cells supported by one or more SVs different from the SV, wherein fourth signaling is transported between the second plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time, and wherein the fourth signaling is transported via the one or more SVs using the third plurality of radio cells. ### Claim 15 A first network node configured for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), the first network node comprising: an external interface configured to communicate with network nodes; at least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: transport, via the external interface, first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, and wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells; cease to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time; and enable the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The first network node of claim 15, wherein the first signaling and the second signaling comprise user plane signaling and control plane signaling, wherein the user plane signaling includes signaling for data and voice connections between each of the plurality of UEs and external entities, and wherein the control plane signaling includes signaling for connections and associations between each of the plurality of UEs and entities in the Core Network. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The first network node of claim 15, wherein the first network node and the second network node comprise a same satellite NodeB (sNB), wherein the first signaling and the second signaling are transported via the SV in a transparent mode, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time by being configured to at least one of: determine a timing for each radio cell in the first plurality of radio cells, wherein the timing is applicable after the second time, and provide the timing of a serving radio cell in the first plurality of radio cells to each UE in the first plurality of UEs before the second time; determine a timing advance for each UE in the first plurality of UEs, wherein the timing advance is applicable after the second time, and provide the timing advance to each UE in the first plurality of UEs before the second time; or a combination thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The first network node of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the timing for each radio cell in the first plurality of radio cells based on (i) a known orbital position of the SV, and (ii) known or measured propagation and transmission delays for: signaling links between the sNB and the first earth station, signaling links between the first earth station and the SV; signaling links between the sNB and the second earth station; signaling links between the second earth station and the SV; and signaling links between the SV and the first plurality of UEs. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The first network node of claim 15, wherein the first network node and the second network node comprise a same satellite Node B (sNB), wherein the sNB is included within the SV, and wherein the first signaling and the second signaling are transported via the SV in a regenerative mode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The first network node of claim 19, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as Level 1 relays, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time by being configured to: transfer, at the second time, a plurality of data links from the first earth station to the second earth station, wherein each data link in the plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the sNB and the core network, and wherein signaling for each data link in the plurality of data links is transported through the first earth station at a Level 1 prior to the second time and is transported through the second earth station at a Level 1 after the second time. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The first network node of claim 19, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as Level 2 relays, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time by being configured to: release, immediately prior to the second time, a first plurality of data links between the sNB and the core network, wherein the first plurality of data links transports the first signaling, and wherein each data link in the first plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the sNB and the first earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the first earth station and the core network; transfer, at the second time and from the first earth station to the second earth station, a Level 1 transport of signaling between the sNB and the core network; and establish, immediately after the second time, a second plurality of data links between the sNB and the core network, wherein the second plurality of data links transports the second signaling, wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the sNB and the second earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the second earth station and the core network, and wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links corresponds to one data link in the first plurality of data links. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The first network node of claim 15, wherein the SV is used in a regenerative mode with a split architecture, wherein the SV includes a satellite NodeB (sNB) Distributed Unit (sNB-DU), wherein the sNB-DU communicates with a first sNB Central Unit (sNB-CU) to transport the first signaling and with a second sNB-CU to transport the second signaling, wherein the first signaling is transported between the sNB-DU and the core network via the first sNB-CU, and wherein the second signaling is transported between the sNB-DU and the core network via the second sNB-CU. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The first network node of claim 22, wherein the first sNB-CU comprises the second sNB-CU, the first network node comprises the second network node, and wherein the first network node comprises the sNB-DU or the first sNB-CU. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The first network node of claim 23, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as Level 1 relays, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable the transport of the second signaling between the plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time by being configured to: transfer, at the second time, a plurality of data links from the first earth station to the second earth station, wherein each data link in the plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, wherein each data link in the plurality of data links is transported through the first earth station at a Level 1 prior to the second time and is transported through the second earth station at a Level 1 after the second time. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The first network node of claim 23, wherein the first earth station and the second earth station act as a Level 2 relays, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time by being configured to: release, immediately prior to the second time, a first plurality of data links between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, wherein the first plurality of data links transports the first signaling, and wherein each data link in the first plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the first network node and the first earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the first earth station and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU; transfer, at the second time and from the first earth station to the second earth station, a Level 1 transport of signaling between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU; and establish, immediately after the second time, a second plurality of data links between the first network node and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, wherein the second plurality of data links transports the second signaling, wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links comprises a Level 2 connection between the first network node and the second earth station and a concatenated Level 2 connection between the second earth station and the other of the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU, and wherein each data link in the second plurality of data links corresponds to one data link in the first plurality of data links. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The first network node of claim 22, wherein the first sNB-CU is different than the second sNB-CU, and the at least one processor is further configured to: enable the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV by performing a modified handover procedure for each UE in the first plurality of UEs, wherein either (i) the first network node comprises the first sNB-CU and the second network node comprises the second sNB-CU, or (ii) the first network node and the second network node each comprise the sNB-DU. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The first network node of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform the modified handover procedure for each UE in the first plurality of UEs by being configured to at least one of: release first non-UE associated links and connections between the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU immediately before the second time, wherein signaling for the first non-UE associated links and connections is transported between the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU via the first earth station at a Level 1 or a Level 2; establish second non-UE associated links and connections between the sNB-DU and the second sNB-CU immediately after the second time, wherein signaling for the second non-UE associated links and connections is transported between the sNB-DU and the second sNB-CU via the second earth station at a Level 1 or a Level 2; release first UE associated connections and tunnels between the sNB-DU, the first sNB-CU and the core network immediately before the second time, wherein signaling for the first UE associated connections and tunnels is transported between the sNB-DU and the first sNB-CU using the first non-UE associated links and connections; establish second UE associated connections and tunnels between the sNB-DU, the second sNB-CU and the core network immediately after the second time, wherein signaling for the second UE associated connections and tunnels is transported between the sNB-DU and the second sNB-CU via the second earth station using the second non-UE associated links and connections; or a combination thereof. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The first network node of claim 15, the at least one processor is further configured to: transport third signaling between a second plurality of UEs and the Core Network at the first time, wherein the third signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, wherein the third signaling is transported between the SV and the second plurality of UEs using a second plurality of radio cells; and hand over the second plurality of UEs before the second time to a third plurality of radio cells supported by one or more SVs different from the SV, wherein fourth signaling is transported between the second plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time, and wherein the fourth signaling is transported via the one or more SVs using the third plurality of radio cells. ### Claim 29 A first network node configured for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), the first network node comprising: means for transporting first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, and wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells; means for ceasing to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time; and means for enabling the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells. ### Claim 30 A non-transitory storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least one processor in a first network node for transferring signaling for a first plurality of radio cells from a first earth station to a second earth station, wherein the first plurality of radio cells is supported by a space vehicle (SV), comprising: program code to transport first signaling between a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) and a Core Network at a first time, and wherein the first signaling is transported via the SV, the first earth station and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells; program code to cease to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time; and program code to enabling the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time via the SV, the second earth station and a second network node, wherein the second signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using the first plurality of radio cells.