A Multi-attribute Decision Handover Scheme for LEO Mobile Satellite Networks

Handover scheme will have significant effects on the data stream stability and signaling exchanging costs in low earth orbit (LEO) mobile satellite network. We propose a multi-attribute decision handover scheme to reduce handover frequency and enhance data stream stability. Three influence factors: receiving signal strength, remaining service time and satellites' idle channels will be taken into consideration comprehensively and made the handover decision by multi-attribute decision algorithm. Numerical simulations performed for the typical mobile satellite network, viz. Iridium, show that the new scheme could achieve reduction of handover frequency, lower average channel utilization variance and higher average signal strength compared to other three schemes.