211 research outputs found
Rate-splitting multiple access for non-terrestrial communication and sensing networks
Rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) has emerged as a powerful and flexible
non-orthogonal transmission, multiple access (MA) and interference management
scheme for future wireless networks. This thesis is concerned with the application of
RSMA to non-terrestrial communication and sensing networks. Various scenarios
and algorithms are presented and evaluated.
First, we investigate a novel multigroup/multibeam multicast beamforming strategy
based on RSMA in both terrestrial multigroup multicast and multibeam satellite
systems with imperfect channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT). The
max-min fairness (MMF)-degree of freedom (DoF) of RSMA is derived and shown
to provide gains compared with the conventional strategy. The MMF beamforming
optimization problem is formulated and solved using the weighted minimum mean
square error (WMMSE) algorithm. Physical layer design and link-level simulations
are also investigated. RSMA is demonstrated to be very promising for multigroup
multicast and multibeam satellite systems taking into account CSIT uncertainty
and practical challenges in multibeam satellite systems.
Next, we extend the scope of research from multibeam satellite systems to satellite-
terrestrial integrated networks (STINs). Two RSMA-based STIN schemes are
investigated, namely the coordinated scheme relying on CSI sharing and the co-
operative scheme relying on CSI and data sharing. Joint beamforming algorithms
are proposed based on the successive convex approximation (SCA) approach to
optimize the beamforming to achieve MMF amongst all users. The effectiveness and
robustness of the proposed RSMA schemes for STINs are demonstrated.
Finally, we consider RSMA for a multi-antenna integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) system, which simultaneously serves multiple communication users
and estimates the parameters of a moving target. Simulation results demonstrate
that RSMA is beneficial to both terrestrial and multibeam satellite ISAC systems by
evaluating the trade-off between communication MMF rate and sensing Cramer-Rao
bound (CRB).Open Acces
Evaluation of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output digital beamforming algorithms in B5G/6G low Earth orbit satellite systems
Satellite communication systems will be a key component of 5G and 6G networks to achieve the goal of providing unlimited and ubiquitous communications and deploying smart and sustainable networks. To meet the ever-increasing demand for higher throughput in 5G and beyond, aggressive frequency reuse schemes (i.e., full frequency reuse), combined with digital beamforming techniques to cope with the massive co-channel interference, are recognized as a key solution. Aimed at (i) eliminating the joint optimization problem among the beamforming vectors of all users, (ii) splitting it into distinct ones, and (iii) finding a closed-form solution, we propose a beamforming algorithm based on maximizing the users' signal-to-leakage-and-noise ratio served by a low Earth orbit satellite. We investigate and assess the performance of several beamforming algorithms, including both those based on channel state information at the transmitter, that is, minimum mean square error and zero forcing, and those only requiring the users' locations, that is, switchable multi-beam. Through a detailed numerical analysis, we provide a thorough comparison of the performance in terms of per-user achievable spectral efficiency of the aforementioned beamforming schemes, and we show that the proposed signal to-leakage-plus-noise ratio beamforming technique is able to outperform both minimum mean square error and multi-beam schemes in the presented satellite communication scenario
Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Communication Networks for the Maritime Internet of Things: Key Technologies, Opportunities, and Challenges
With the rapid development of marine activities, there has been an increasing
number of maritime mobile terminals, as well as a growing demand for high-speed
and ultra-reliable maritime communications to keep them connected.
Traditionally, the maritime Internet of Things (IoT) is enabled by maritime
satellites. However, satellites are seriously restricted by their high latency
and relatively low data rate. As an alternative, shore & island-based base
stations (BSs) can be built to extend the coverage of terrestrial networks
using fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and beyond 5G services.
Unmanned aerial vehicles can also be exploited to serve as aerial maritime BSs.
Despite of all these approaches, there are still open issues for an efficient
maritime communication network (MCN). For example, due to the complicated
electromagnetic propagation environment, the limited geometrically available BS
sites, and rigorous service demands from mission-critical applications,
conventional communication and networking theories and methods should be
tailored for maritime scenarios. Towards this end, we provide a survey on the
demand for maritime communications, the state-of-the-art MCNs, and key
technologies for enhancing transmission efficiency, extending network coverage,
and provisioning maritime-specific services. Future challenges in developing an
environment-aware, service-driven, and integrated satellite-air-ground MCN to
be smart enough to utilize external auxiliary information, e.g., sea state and
atmosphere conditions, are also discussed
Joint Beamforming and Power Allocation for Satellite-Terrestrial Integrated Networks With Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access
In this paper, we propose a joint optimization design for a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA)-based satellite-terrestrial integrated network (STIN), where a satellite multicast communication network shares the millimeter wave spectrum with a cellular network employing NOMA technology. By assuming that the satellite uses multibeam antenna array and the base station employs uniform planar array, we first formulate a constrained optimization problem to maximize the sum rate of the STIN while satisfying the constraint of per-antenna transmit power and quality-of-service requirements of both satellite and cellular users. Since the formulated optimization problem is NP-hard and mathematically intractable, we develop a novel user pairing scheme so that more than two users can be grouped in a cluster to exploit the NOMA technique. Based on the user clustering, we further propose to transform the non-convex problem into an equivalent convex one, and present an iterative penalty function-based beamforming (BF) scheme to obtain the BF weight vectors and power coefficients with fast convergence. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach in comparison with the existing works
The Role of Physical Layer Security in Satellite-Based Networks
In the coming years, 6G will revolutionize the world with a large amount of
bandwidth, high data rates, and extensive coverage in remote and rural areas.
These goals can only be achieved by integrating terrestrial networks with
non-terrestrial networks. On the other hand, these advancements are raising
more concerns than other wireless links about malicious attacks on
satellite-terrestrial links due to their openness. Over the years, physical
layer security (PLS) has emerged as a good candidate to deal with security
threats by exploring the randomness of wireless channels. In this direction,
this paper reviews how PLS methods are implemented in satellite communications.
Firstly, we discuss the ongoing research on satellite-based networks by
highlighting the key points in the literature. Then, we revisit the research
activities on PLS in satellite-based networks by categorizing the different
system architectures. Finally, we highlight research directions and
opportunities to leverage the PLS in future satellite-based networks
Multiple Access in Aerial Networks: From Orthogonal and Non-Orthogonal to Rate-Splitting
Recently, interest on the utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has
aroused. Specifically, UAVs can be used in cellular networks as aerial users
for delivery, surveillance, rescue search, or as an aerial base station (aBS)
for communication with ground users in remote uncovered areas or in dense
environments requiring prompt high capacity. Aiming to satisfy the high
requirements of wireless aerial networks, several multiple access techniques
have been investigated. In particular, space-division multiple access(SDMA) and
power-domain non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) present promising
multiplexing gains for aerial downlink and uplink. Nevertheless, these gains
are limited as they depend on the conditions of the environment. Hence, a
generalized scheme has been recently proposed, called rate-splitting multiple
access (RSMA), which is capable of achieving better spectral efficiency gains
compared to SDMA and NOMA. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey of
key multiple access technologies adopted for aerial networks, where aBSs are
deployed to serve ground users. Since there have been only sporadic results
reported on the use of RSMA in aerial systems, we aim to extend the discussion
on this topic by modelling and analyzing the weighted sum-rate performance of a
two-user downlink network served by an RSMA-based aBS. Finally, related open
issues and future research directions are exposed.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, submitted to IEEE Journa
Shared access satellite-terrestrial reconfigurable backhaul network enabled by smart antennas at mm-wave band
© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes,creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.5G traffic expectations require not only the appropriate access infrastructure, but also the corresponding backhaul infrastructure to ensure a well-balanced network scaling. Optical fibre and terrestrial wireless backhaul will hardly meet 100% coverage and satellite must be considered within the 5G infrastructure to boost ubiquitous and reliable network utilization. This work presents the main outcomes of SANSA project, which proposes a novel solution that overcomes the limitations of the traditional fixed backhaul. It is based on a dynamic integrated satelliteterrestrial backhaul network operating on the mm-wave band. Its key principles are a seamless integration of the satellite segment into terrestrial backhaul networks; a terrestrial wireless network capable of reconfiguring its topology according to traffic demands; and an aggressive frequency reuse within the terrestrial segment and between terrestrial and satellite segments. The two technological enablers of SANSA are smart antenna techniques at mm-wave and a software defined intelligent hybrid network management. This article introduces these 5G enablers, which permit satellite communications to play a key role in different 5G use cases, from the early deployment of 5G services in sparse scenarios to enhanced mobile broadband in denser scenarios.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Joint Graph-based User Scheduling and Beamforming in LEO-MIMO Satellite Communication Systems
In this paper, a Low earth orbit (LEO) High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) Multi-User multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system is considered. With the objective of minimizing inter-beam interference among users, we propose a joint graph-based user scheduling and feed space beamforming framework for the downlink. First, we construct a graph where the vertices are the users and edges are based on a dissimilarity measure of their channels. Secondly, we design a low complexity greedy user clustering strategy, in which we iteratively search for the maximum clique in the graph. Finally, a Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) beamforming matrix is applied on a cluster basis with different power normalization schemes. A heuristic optimization of the graph density, i.e., optimal cluster size, is performed in order to maximize the system capacity. The proposed scheduling algorithm is compared with a position-based scheduler, in which a beam lattice is generated on ground and one user per beam is randomly selected to form a cluster. Results are presented in terms of achievable per-user capacity and show the superiority in performance of the proposed scheduler w.r.t. to the position-based approach
Role of satellite communications in 5G ecosystem: perspectives and challenges
The next generation of mobile radio communication systems – so-called 5G – will
provide some major changes to those generations to date. The ability to cope with huge
increases in data traffic at reduced latencies and improved quality of user experience
together with a major reduction in energy usage are big challenges. In addition,
future systems will need to embody connections to billions of objects – the so-called
Internet of Things (IoT) which raises new challenges.Visions of 5G are now available
from regions across the world and research is ongoing towards new standards. The
consensus is a flatter architecture that adds a dense network of small cells operating in
the millimetre wave bands and which are adaptable and software controlled. But what
is the place for satellites in such a vision? The chapter examines several potential
roles for satellites in 5G including coverage extension, IoT, providing resilience,
content caching and multi-cast, and the integrated architecture. Furthermore, the
recent advances in satellite communications together with the challenges associated
with the use of satellite in the integrated satellite-terrestrial architecture are also
discussed
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