A method for reducing expected switchovers in antennas tracking at least one satellite. The method predicts an operation of a predetermined number of subsets of antennas during a simulated time interval. The subsets are derived from at least three antennas. Each of the at least three antennas has a field of view and is operative to selectively receive signals from and selectively transmit signals to a satellite in the respective field of view. The method determines, based on the predicted operation, an expected number of switchovers for each of the subsets during the simulated time interval. The method selects a selected subset from the subsets for communicating with the satellite. The selection of the selected subset is based on the expected number of switchovers.

A non-geostationary satellite is configured to provide a plurality of spot beams that implement a first frequency plan at Earth's Equator and a second frequency plan away from Earth's Equator. The second frequency plan is different than the first frequency plan. In one embodiment, the non-geostationary satellite is part of a constellation of non-geostationary satellites, with each of the satellites providing spot beams that implement a first frequency plan at Earth's Equator and implement a second frequency plan away from Earth's Equator as the satellites travel in orbit around Earth.

Systems and methods for supporting more flexible coverage areas and spatial capacity assignments using satellite communications systems are disclosed. A hub-spoke, bent-pipe satellite communications system includes: terminals; gateways; a controller for specifying data for controlling satellite operations in accordance with a frame definition including timeslots for a frame and defining an allocation of capacity between forward and return traffic. The satellite communications system may employ a satellite with a feed array assembly and may use on-board beamforming or ground-based beamforming. Beam hopping within timeslots of the frame may be used to provide coverage to different cells in different time periods. The flexible coverage areas may be provided using changes in satellite position, antenna patterns, or beam resource allocations.

Various arrangements are presented for managing co-existence of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver with one or more transceivers. A coexistence manager may obtain one or more parameters associated with a first transceiver of the one or more transceivers operating in accordance with a first radio access technology (RAT) and corresponding to an operating event. The first transceiver may be capable of operating in accordance with one or more RATs. The coexistence manager may further determine that the one or more parameters impacts an operation of the GNSS receiver and exceeds a predefined threshold and instruct the first transceiver to perform at least one of selecting a second RAT, changing the one or more parameters or any combination thereof to transmit at least a first portion of a data corresponding to the operating event based on the determination that the one or more parameters impacts the operation of the GNSS receiver.

A method and apparatus for operating a user terminal in a satellite communication system during inter-beam handovers. In some aspects, the user terminal may determine an occurrence of an inter-beam handover for switching communication with a network controller of the satellite communication system from a first beam to a second beam. The user terminal measures a channel quality of the second beam based at least in part on the occurrence of the inter-beam handover, and sends the channel quality measurement to the controller via a reverse-link communication.

A method is performed by a wireless device for communication in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, comprising at least a first non-terrestrial network node and a second non-terrestrial network node. The method includes determining an estimated location of the wireless device. The method further includes obtaining first location information associated with the first non-terrestrial network node and second location information associated with the second non-terrestrial network node. The method further includes calculating an estimated signal time arrival difference based on the location of the wireless device, the first location information, and the second location information. The method further includes using the estimated signal time arrival difference to provision an NTN-specific synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel, SS/PBCH, block measurement timing configuration, NTN-SMTC.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to handoff (e.g., idle mode handoff or other types of handoff) for a user terminal. In some aspects, a user terminal (UT) may request idle mode handoff information from a ground network (GN). Idle mode handoff information may include, for example, start times for a set of satellites, whereby each particular start time indicates when the UT may handoff to the corresponding satellite. The UT may send the request for idle mode handoff information to the GN when the UT has a defined number of valid entries (e.g., one unexpired entry) remaining in an idle mode handoff table. In some aspects, the idle UT may send the request for idle mode handoff information to the GN based on a time associated with a particular entry in an idle mode handoff table or based on a time of validity of an idle mode handoff table.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to handoff of a user terminal in communication with a gateway through a satellite in a non-geosynchronous satellite communication system. In some aspects, a gateway and a user terminal use a satellite and beam transition table to determine when to handoff the user terminal from one beam to another and/or from one satellite to another. In some aspects, a user terminal sends capability information, location information, or other information to a gateway whereby, based on this information, the gateway generates a satellite and beam transition table and/or selects a handoff procedure for the user terminal. In some aspects, handoff of a user terminal to a different satellite involves the user terminal conducting satellite signal measurements and sending a measurement message to the gateway. In some aspects, the gateway generates a new satellite and beam transition table as a result of receiving a measurement message.

A system, method, and device to enable communication between a first and second satellite station and a controller of a mobile platform. The controller includes a processor, a first modem facilitating communication with the first satellite station via a first frequency over a first communication link, and a map of the one or more networks of satellite stations including the second satellite station. The controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite station for communicating with the controller. A second modem is coupled to the controller and facilitates communication with the second satellite station via a second frequency over a second communication link, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communication with the mobile communicator from the first communication link to the second communication link.

A LEO satellite communication system is in communication with a first setting satellite having a first field of view including a first plurality of cells, and a second rising satellite having a second field of view including a second plurality of cells. The first and second satellites have an overlapping field of view having an overlapping plurality of cells located therein. A first processing device has a first communication port communicating with a first cell of the first plurality of cells via said first antenna over a first beam, and a second communication port communicating with an overlapping cell of the overlapping plurality of cells via said second antenna over a second beam. Said first processing device switches from said first communication port to said second communication port in response to the first cell of the first plurality of cells moving into the overlapping field of view.