HANDOFF FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

• US 20160323800A1
• Filed: 04/28/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Barany, Pete, Ulupinar, Fatih, Purkayastha, Punyaslok, Marsh, Gene Wesley
• Granted Patent: US 9,888,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1851 Systems using a satellite or space-based relay H04B7/18508, H04B7/18521 take precedence; providing specific services H04B7/18523 - H04B7/18576
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18541 for handover of resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2041 Spot beam multiple access
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6421 Medium of transmission, e.g. fibre, cable, radio, satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/322 by location data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/328 by altitude
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/38 by fixed network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to handoff of a user terminal in communication with a satellite network portal through a satellite. In some aspects, a satellite network portal and a user terminal use a satellite handoff information to determine when to handoff the user terminal from one cell to another and/or from one satellite to another. In some aspects, a user terminal sends capability information, location information, or other information to a satellite network portal whereby, based on this information, the satellite network portal generates the satellite handoff information and/or selects a handoff procedure for the user terminal. In some aspects, handoff of a user terminal to a different satellite involves the user terminal conducting satellite signal measurements and sending a measurement message to the satellite network portal. In some aspects, the satellite network portal generates new satellite handoff information as a result of receiving a measurement message.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

generating satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

sending the satellite handoff information to a user terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generation of the satellite handoff information is based on at least one of:

capabilities information for the user terminal or location information for the user terminal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the capabilities information indicates at least one of:

whether the user terminal can sense multiple cells or whether the user terminal can sense multiple satellites.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the capabilities information indicates at least one of:

an inter-cell tune time for the user terminal or an inter-satellite tune time for the user terminal.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the location information comprises at least one of:

a current location for the user terminal or a motion vector for the user terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the generation of the satellite handoff information is based on at least one of:

ephemeris information, a restriction due to an incumbent system, or a satellite pointing error.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the generation of the satellite handoff information is triggered based on at least one of:

handoff of the user terminal to a different satellite or receipt of a measurement message from the user terminal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing handoffs for the user terminal to different cells and at least one satellite based on the satellite handoff information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the handoffs involve a change of at least one of:

a satellite access network (SAN) or a satellite network portal (SNP) antenna.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the handoffs involve a change of at least one of:

a satellite cell or a forward service link (FSL) frequency.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a measurement message from the user terminal; and

determining, based on the measurement message, whether to modify the satellite handoff information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the modification of the satellite handoff information comprises advancing handoff timing or delaying handoff timing.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining a measurement gap for measuring satellite signals; and

sending information indicative of the measurement gap to the user terminal,

wherein the measurement message comprises an indication of a measurement of signals from at least one satellite conducted during the measurement gap.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving capability information from the user terminal; and

selecting a handoff procedure for the user terminal based on the received capability information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the capability information indicates whether the user terminal is dual sense capable; and

the selection of the handoff procedure comprises enabling or disabling monitoring for a measurement message from the user terminal based on whether the user terminal is dual sense capable.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a time of a handoff of the user terminal; and

transferring at least one user queue prior to the handoff.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite handoff information comprises a table that includes a handoff activation time.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite handoff information comprises at least one tune-away time.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the user terminal, a message comprising at least one of;

user terminal paging area information or user terminal location information.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a measurement gap is not needed for measuring satellite signals,

wherein, as a result of the determination, the generation of the satellite handoff information comprises not including a tune-away time in the satellite handoff information.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the handoff information is for at least one future handoff.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the handoff information is for the next beam handoff and for at least one future satellite handoff.

23. An apparatus for communication comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory,

the processor and the memory configured to;

generate satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

send the satellite handoff information to a user terminal.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

generate the satellite handoff information based on at least one of;

capabilities information for the user terminal, location information for the user terminal, ephemeris information, a restriction due to an incumbent system, or a satellite pointing error.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the capabilities information indicates at least one of:

whether the user terminal can sense multiple cells, whether the user terminal can sense multiple satellites, an inter-cell tune time for the user terminal, or an inter-satellite tune time for the user terminal.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

perform handoffs for the user terminal to different cells and at least one satellite based on the satellite handoff information.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

receive a measurement message from the user terminal; and

determine, based on the measurement message, whether to modify the satellite handoff information.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein, to modify the satellite handoff information, the processor and the memory are further configured to advance handoff timing or delay handoff timing.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

determine a measurement gap for measuring satellite signals; and

send information indicative of the measurement gap to the user terminal,

wherein the measurement message comprises an indication of a measurement of signals from at least one satellite conducted during the measurement gap.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

receive capability information from the user terminal; and

select a handoff procedure for the user terminal based on the received capability information.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the capability information indicates whether the user terminal is dual sense capable; and

to select the handoff procedure, the processor and the memory are further configured to enable or disable whether the apparatus monitors for a measurement message from the user terminal based on whether the user terminal is dual sense capable.

32. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

determine a time of a handoff of the user terminal; and

transfer user queues prior to the handoff.

33. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

receive, from the user terminal, a message comprising at least one of;

user terminal paging area information or user terminal location information.

34. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:

the processor and the memory are further configured to determine that a measurement gap is not needed for measuring satellite signals; and

as a result of the determination, the generation of the satellite handoff information comprises not including a tune-away time in the satellite handoff information.

35. An apparatus for communication comprising:

means for generating satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

means for sending the satellite handoff information to a user terminal.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:

means for performing handoffs for the user terminal to different cells and at least one satellite based on the satellite handoff information.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:

means for receiving a measurement message from the user terminal; and

means for determining, based on the measurement message, whether to modify the satellite handoff information.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:

means for receiving capability information from the user terminal; and

means for selecting a handoff procedure for the user terminal based on the received capability information.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:

means for determining a time of a handoff of the user terminal; and

means for transferring user queues prior to the handoff.

40. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, including code to:

generate satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

send the satellite handoff information to a user terminal.

41. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

performing a handoff to the particular cell of the particular satellite based on the satellite handoff information.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

measuring signals from at least one satellite; and

sending a measurement message based on the measured signals, wherein the satellite handoff information is received as a result of the measurement message being sent.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the measurement message comprises at least one of:

measurement data based on the measured signals, a request to advance handoff timing, or a request to delay handoff timing.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving information indicative of a measurement gap for measuring satellite signals,

wherein the measurement of the signals from the at least one satellite is conducted during the measurement gap.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

determining whether to send the measurement message based on at least one of;

whether signals from a current serving satellite are inadequate or whether signals from a target satellite are inadequate.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

sending a message comprising user terminal capability information, wherein the received satellite handoff information is based on the user terminal capability information.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the user terminal capability information indicates at least one of:

whether a user terminal can sense multiple cells, whether a user terminal can sense multiple satellites, a user terminal inter-cell tune time, or a user terminal inter-satellite tune time.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the sending of the message comprising user terminal capability information is triggered as a result of an initial connection to a satellite.

49. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

sending a message comprising user terminal location information, wherein the received satellite handoff information is based on the user terminal location information.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the user terminal location information comprises at least one of:

a current user terminal location or a user terminal motion vector.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the sending of the message comprising user terminal location information is triggered as a result of at least one of:

an initial connection to a satellite, whether a user terminal is beyond a geographical boundary, or whether an error bound has been exceeded.

52. The method of claim 41, wherein the handoff involves a change of at least one of:

a satellite access network (SAN), a satellite network portal (SNP) antenna, a satellite cell, or a forward service link (FSL) frequency.

53. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

receiving a dedicated preamble signature; and

performing a non-contention-based random access procedure using the dedicated preamble signature.

54. The method of claim 41, wherein the satellite handoff information comprises a table that includes a handoff activation time.

55. The method of claim 41, wherein the satellite handoff information comprises at least one tune-away time.

56. The method of claim 41, wherein the satellite handoff information is defined based, in part, on a satellite pointing error.

57. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

sending a message comprising user terminal paging area information.

58. The method of claim 41, wherein the handoff information is for at least one future handoff.

59. The method of claim 41, wherein the handoff information is for the next beam handoff and for at least one future satellite handoff.

60. An apparatus for communication comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory,

the processor and the memory configured to;

receive satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

perform a handoff to the particular cell of the particular satellite based on the satellite handoff information.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

measure signals from at least one satellite; and

send a measurement message based on the measured signals,

wherein the satellite handoff information is received as a result of the measurement message being sent.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein:

the processor and the memory are further configured to receive information indicative of a measurement gap for measuring satellite signals; and

the measurement of the signals from the at least one satellite is conducted during the measurement gap.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

determine whether to send the measurement message based on at least one of;

whether signals from a current serving satellite are inadequate, or whether signals from a target satellite are inadequate.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein:

the processor and the memory are further configured to send a message comprising user terminal capability information; and

the received satellite handoff information is based on the user terminal capability information.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the user terminal capability information indicates at least one of:

whether a user terminal can sense multiple cells, whether a user terminal can sense multiple satellites, a user terminal inter-cell tune time, or a user terminal inter-satellite tune time.

66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein:

the processor and the memory are further configured to send a message comprising user terminal location information; and

the received satellite handoff information is based on the user terminal location information.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the sending of the message comprising user terminal location information is triggered as a result of at least one of:

an initial connection to a satellite, whether a user terminal is beyond a geographical boundary, or whether an error bound has been exceeded.

68. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

receive a dedicated preamble signature; and

perform a non-contention-based random access procedure using the dedicated preamble signature.

69. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:

send a message comprising user terminal paging area information.

70. An apparatus for communication comprising:

means for receiving satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

means for performing a handoff to the particular cell of the particular satellite based on the satellite handoff information.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

means for measuring signals from at least one satellite; and

means for sending a measurement message based on the measured signals, wherein the satellite handoff information is received as a result of the measurement message being sent.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising:

means for determining whether to send the measurement message based on at least one of;

whether signals from a current serving satellite are inadequate, or whether signals from a target satellite are inadequate.

73. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

means for sending a message comprising user terminal capability information, wherein the received satellite handoff information is based on the user terminal capability information.

74. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

means for sending a message comprising user terminal location information, wherein the received satellite handoff information is based on the user terminal location information.

75. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, including code to:

receive satellite handoff information that specifies a handoff time for a particular cell of a particular satellite; and

perform a handoff to the particular cell of the particular satellite based on the satellite handoff information.