Handover-Optimal User Association Policy for LEO Satellite-based 5G NTN
2026-07-06 • Emerging Technologies
Emerging Technologies
AI summaryⓘ
The authors study how to improve communication using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that move quickly around the Earth. Because these satellites move fast, users often have to switch from one satellite to another, which can cause delays and reduce service quality. The authors use game theory to create a new method that reduces how often these switches, called handovers, happen while making sure no satellite is overloaded. They also propose a simpler version of their method that works faster but still gives good results.
Non Terrestrial Networks5GLow Earth Orbit (LEO) satelliteshandovergame theorySpatial Adaptive Play algorithmload balancingsignaling overheadheuristic algorithm
Authors
Pradnya Taksande, Jainesh Mehta, Prasanna Chaporkar
Abstract
The integration of Non Terrestrial Networks into 5G and beyond cellular systems has introduced a significant paradigm shift, enabling ubiquitous connectivity and extending services to previously unconnected and underserved remote regions. In particular, Low Earth Orbit satellites, operating close to the Earth surface, can provide communication latency comparable to that of terrestrial networks. However, due to their high mobility, LEO satellites trigger frequent handovers, which degrade users quality of experience and increase signaling overhead. In this work, our objective is to minimize the number of handovers in a LEO satellite system while preventing satellite overloading. We formulate the problem within a game theoretic framework and apply the Spatial Adaptive Play algorithm to obtain a handover efficient and load balanced solution. Additionally, we propose a low complexity heuristic algorithm to achieve similar objectives with reduced computational overhead.