Systems and methods for handover of mobile devices, radio cells and space vehicles for mobile satellite wireless access

1. A method, comprising:

transporting, by a first network node, 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 a space vehicle (SV), a first earth station, and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using a first plurality of radio cells;

ceasing, by the first network node, to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network, and via the SV, the first earth station, and the first network node, at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

enabling, by the first network node, the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time, wherein the second signaling is to be transported via the SV, a 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,

wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises:

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.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first signaling and the second signaling comprise user plane signaling and control plane signaling, and wherein the user plane signaling includes signaling for data and voice connections between each of the first plurality of UEs and external entities, and wherein the control plane signaling includes signaling for connections and associations between each of the first plurality of UEs and entities in the Core Network.

3. 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 first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time further comprises:

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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 first 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, 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.

7. 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 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 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 first 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. A 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 and by the first network node, 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 a space vehicle (SV), a first earth station, and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using a first plurality of radio cells;

cease, by the first network node, to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network, and via the SV, the first earth station, and the first network node, at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

enable, by the first network node, the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time, wherein the second signaling is to be transported via the SV, a 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,

wherein enabling the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises:

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.

16. The first network node of claim 15 , wherein the first signaling and the second signaling comprise user plane signaling and control plane signaling, and wherein the user plane signaling includes signaling for data and voice connections between each of the first plurality of UEs and external entities, and wherein the control plane signaling includes signaling for connections and associations between each of the first plurality of UEs and entities in the Core Network.

17. 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 first 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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 first 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,

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.

21. 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 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 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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 first 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. A first network node, comprising:

means for transporting, by the first network node, 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 a space vehicle (SV), a first earth station and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using a first plurality of radio cells;

means for ceasing, by the first network node, to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network, via the SV, the first earth station, and the first network node, at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

means for enabling, by the first network node, the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time, wherein the second signaling is to be transported via the SV, a 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,

wherein means for enabling the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises:

means for determining a timing advance for each UE in the first plurality of UEs wherein the timing advance is applicable after the second time, and

means for providing the timing advance to each UE in the first plurality of UEs before the second time.

30. A non-transitory storage medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication, the one or more instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a first network node, cause the one or more processors to:

program code to transport, by the first network node, 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 a space vehicle (SV), a first earth station and the first network node, wherein the first signaling is transported between the SV and the first plurality of UEs using a first plurality of radio cells;

program code to cease, by the first network node, to transport the first signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network, via the SV, the first earth station, and the first network node at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

program code to enable, by the first network node, the transport of second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time, wherein the second signaling is to be transported via the SV, a 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,

wherein programming code to enable the transport of the second signaling between the first plurality of UEs and the Core Network after the second time comprises:

programming code to determine a timing advance for each UE in the first plurality of UEs, wherein the timing advance is applicable after the second time, and

programming code to provide the timing advance to each UE in the first plurality of UEs before the second time.