Handover-Optimal User Association Policy for LEO Satellite-Based 5G NTN

Jul 16, 2026

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Integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) into 5G and beyond enables ubiquitous connectivity and supports remote or underserved regions, while Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites deliver latency close to terrestrial networks. However, LEO high mobility causes frequent handovers, which harms users’ quality of experience and increases signaling overhead. This work minimizes handovers while avoiding satellite overload by formulating a game-theoretic problem and applying the Spatial Adaptive Play (SAP) algorithm, plus a low-complexity heuristic with similar goals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

Introduction

Background on NTN and 5G

Role of LEO satellites and handover challenges

Objective and proposed approach

Handover-Optimal User Association Policy for LEO Satellite-based 5G NTN Pradnya Taksande∗, Jainesh Mehta†, Prasanna Chaporkar‡ Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India Email: {20001816, 210071001, [chaporkar](chaporkar}@iitb.ac.in)[}](chaporkar}@iitb.ac.in)[@iitb.ac.in](chaporkar}@iitb.ac.in) arXiv :2607 .04829v 1 [ cs .ET] 6 Jul 2026 Abstract—The integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) 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 (LEO) satellites, operating close to the Earth’s 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 (SAP) 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. Index Terms—NTN, LEO satellite, user handover, user association, 5G network I. INTRODUCTION With the evolution of 5G-Advanced and future 6G cellular networks, a key design objective is to achieve truly global coverage, service ubiquity, and reliable continuous connectivity. To meet these ambitious requirements, nonterrestrial networks (NTNs) have emerged as a promising and essential complement to traditional terrestrial networks [1] . NTNs leverage spaceborne and airborne platforms, such as satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), as well as High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) to extend connectivity beyond the limitations of ground-based deployments. By integrating NTNs with terrestrial cellular networks, it becomes possible to provide seamless connectivity to users anywhere on the globe, including remote, rural, maritime, and aerial environments. Recognizing the potential of NTN, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has incorporated NTN support into 5G cellular standards with signiﬁcant work introduced in Release 15 and further enhancements in subsequent releases [2] . This standardization effort enables the harmonized operation of terrestrial and non-terrestrial components within auniﬁed cellular framework. LEO satellites typically operate at altitudes between approximately 300 km and 1500 km above the Earth’s surface. Their close proximity to the ground signiﬁcantly reduces the signal propagation delay, resulting in much lower communication latency compared to MEO and GEO satellite systems, and latency levels that are comparable to those of terrestrial networks. In addition, LEO satellites offer advantages such as high speed throughput, lower launch and manufacturing costs, reduced power needs, and improved resiliency. In this work, we consider an LEO satellite system with a 5G gNB onboard. An LEO satellite is typically visible from a ﬁxed location on Earth for only about 8–12 minutes, depending on its altitude. Due to the high orbital speeds of LEO satellites, ensuring continuous connectivity between users and satellites is a key challenge in such networks. As a result, users must periodically transition their connection from one satellite to another through a process known as satellite handover. Based on user-reported measurements and satellite ephemeris data, the network identiﬁes a set of candidate target satellites. It then proactively selects the most suitable target and initiates the handover following the standard phases of the 3GPP 5G—namely handover preparation, executi

FAQs

Why do handovers become frequent in LEO satellite-based 5G NTN systems?

LEO satellites move at high orbital speeds, so connections must repeatedly transition between satellites even for stationary users, triggering frequent handovers.

What is the main objective of the proposed policy?

Minimize the number of handovers in a LEO satellite system while preventing satellite overloading.

How are the proposed solutions constructed?

The problem is formulated in a game-theoretic framework and solved using the Spatial Adaptive Play (SAP) algorithm, and a low-complexity heuristic is added to achieve similar aims with reduced computational overhead.

Jul 16, 2026

Upload by Aria