STEBS: Spatio-Temporal Entropy-Based Scoring Handover Model for LEO Satellite

In 6G and beyond network infrastructure, Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-based Non-terrestrial Networks (NTN) are poised to play a significant role in delivering global connectivity. To serve users effectively, multiple satellites must collaborate. Each satellite has only a brief window of time to communicate with the user. Therefore, an optimal handover strategy is needed to ensure seamless user transitions between satellites while minimizing unnecessary and frequent handovers, which leads to user satisfaction. However, existing handover strategies, primarily based on system geometry, may lack efficiency in dynamically changing user demand, particularly in deep urban canyon environments. This paper introduces a Spatio-temporal Entropy-based Scoring (STEBS) handover strategy. STEBS is a multi-objective dynamic handover strategy designed to minimize the number of handovers while consistently meeting user demand. Simulation results demonstrate that STEBS reduces the number of handovers and increases throughput, achieving an exceptionally low blocking rate of one-eighth compared to benchmark schemes, resulting in a $99 \%$ user satisfaction rate.