5G • 5G-Advanced (Rel-18)
Continuous Feeder Link Switchover
Seamless Ground Gateway Handover for Moving Satellites
Orchestrates seamless handovers between ground gateway stations as orbiting LEO satellites move across horizons, preventing packet drops.
Technical Explanation
Because a LEO satellite passes over a ground gateway station in only 5 to 10 minutes, the feeder link connecting the satellite to the terrestrial core network must switch constantly between gateways. Rel-18 establishes Continuous Feeder Link Switchover, buffering packets and executing make-before-break handovers that prevent data loss.
Key Functions
- Executes make-before-break ground gateway handovers as satellites cross the sky
- Prevents data packet loss and TCP retransmission spikes during gateway transitions
- Coordinates core network GTP-U tunnel updates across global teleport locations
- Maintains continuous, unbroken user sessions during rapid orbital movement
Specifications
3GPP TS 38.300, TS 23.501 (Rel-18)
Interfaces
Satellite Feeder Link (Ka/Q/V-Band)N2N3
Related 5G Concepts
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