This paper deals with the performance evaluation of different channel resource management techniques in LEO satellite systems based on an earth-fixed cell concept. Furthermore, in order to reduce the handover failure probability, we assumed that handover attempts can be queued. Both fixed and mobile users have been considered resulting in several classes of users. Each class requires a given Quality of Service (QoS) and thus a fixed part of the shared resource. Two channel allocation techniques are investigated: fixed channel allocation (FCA) and dynamic channel allocation (DCA). An analytical model is derived to analyze the performance of the FCA scheme supporting different kinds of users. A second analytical approch is proposed, in the FCA case, where a handover queuing strategy is taken into account. Implementation aspects for FCA and DCA strategies are discussed and compared in terms of blocking probabilities relative to each type of users.

In this article we propose a new framework to support QoS and 4G enabled mobility management. The key feature of this framework is twofold; the Policy based Handover control, and the adaptive handover mechanisms. On one hand, the adaptive handover mechanism will allow the selection of different handover schemes based on the user service level specification in order to differentiate the handover quality provided for the required service level, thus optimizing the network resources usage and providing the agreed service level to users. On the other hand, the proposed handover control mechanism considers resource availability and other constraints during the handover decision in order to provide support for QoS aware mobility on the contrary of the classical naïve mobility management that considers only signal strength fading. This decision mechanism will provide mainly the interaction between the mobility and QoS management frameworks but also a 4G handover control. In addition, the QoS aware handover will provide the knowledge necessary to achieve a proactive handover's procedures control.