Satellite personal communications: integration scenarios with terrestrial networks

The paper considers future possible scenarios integrating satellite systems with cellular networks. In particular, original satellite counterparts of the cell and the location area concepts are determined. As a matter of fact, as it is shown in the paper, an appropriate definition of these concepts is a fundamental step for the design of efficient handover and location update procedures in an integrated system. The paper is partly based upon the work performed by the authors in the framework of the RACE Project: "Satellite Integration in the Future Mobile Network (SAINT)". opinions herewith reported are not necessarily those of the European Community.