Load Balancing and Carrier-to-Noise Ratio based Handover Algorithm for LEO Satellite Network

With the development of space-air-ground integrated network (SAGIN), applications expected to use satellite communications increase rapidly. In the LEO satellite communication system, the efficient handover strategy becomes an important research hot sport due to the large number of dynamic satellites. This paper proposes a handover decision algorithm for latency-sensitive services of the Ground Users (GUs), which is called as Load Balancing and Carrier-to-Noise Ratio based Handover(LBCNRH) algorithm. In the LBCNRH algorithm, both the load balancing indicator of LEO satellite Base Stations (LEO-BSs) and the Carrier-to-Noise Ratio of link between LEOBSs and GUs are considered when making handover decisions. Compared to traditional handover algorithms, the LBCNRH algorithm performs better from the aspects of average data packet latency, load balance and throughput. However, these performance gains come at the cost of an increase in the average handover times for each GU.