681 research outputs found
Revolutionizing Future Connectivity: A Contemporary Survey on AI-empowered Satellite-based Non-Terrestrial Networks in 6G
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) are expected to be a critical component of 6th
Generation (6G) networks, providing ubiquitous, continuous, and scalable
services. Satellites emerge as the primary enabler for NTN, leveraging their
extensive coverage, stable orbits, scalability, and adherence to international
regulations. However, satellite-based NTN presents unique challenges, including
long propagation delay, high Doppler shift, frequent handovers, spectrum
sharing complexities, and intricate beam and resource allocation, among others.
The integration of NTNs into existing terrestrial networks in 6G introduces a
range of novel challenges, including task offloading, network routing, network
slicing, and many more. To tackle all these obstacles, this paper proposes
Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a promising solution, harnessing its ability to
capture intricate correlations among diverse network parameters. We begin by
providing a comprehensive background on NTN and AI, highlighting the potential
of AI techniques in addressing various NTN challenges. Next, we present an
overview of existing works, emphasizing AI as an enabling tool for
satellite-based NTN, and explore potential research directions. Furthermore, we
discuss ongoing research efforts that aim to enable AI in satellite-based NTN
through software-defined implementations, while also discussing the associated
challenges. Finally, we conclude by providing insights and recommendations for
enabling AI-driven satellite-based NTN in future 6G networks.Comment: 40 pages, 19 Figure, 10 Tables, Surve
Distributed Massive MIMO for LEO Satellite Networks
The ultra-dense deployment of interconnected satellites will characterize
future low Earth orbit (LEO) mega-constellations. Exploiting this towards a
more efficient satellite network (SatNet), this paper proposes a novel LEO
SatNet architecture based on distributed massive multiple-input multiple-output
(DM-MIMO) technology allowing ground user terminals to be connected to a
cluster of satellites. To this end, we investigate various aspects of
DM-MIMO-based satellite network design, the benefits of using this
architecture, the associated challenges, and the potential solutions. In
addition, we propose a distributed joint power allocation and handover
management (D-JPAHM) technique that jointly optimizes the power allocation and
handover management processes in a cross-layer manner. This framework aims to
maximize the network throughput and minimize the handover rate while
considering the quality-of-service (QoS) demands of user terminals and the
power capabilities of the satellites. Moreover, we devise an artificial
intelligence (AI)-based solution to efficiently implement the proposed D-JPAHM
framework in a manner suitable for real-time operation and the dynamic SatNet
environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to introduce
and study DM-MIMO technology in LEO SatNets. Extensive simulation results
reveal the superiority of the proposed architecture and solutions compared to
conventional approaches in the literature.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2106.0983
UAV Command and Control, Navigation and Surveillance: A Review of Potential 5G and Satellite Systems
Drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are
expected to be an important component of 5G/beyond 5G (B5G) communications.
This includes their use within cellular architectures (5G UAVs), in which they
can facilitate both wireless broadcast and point-to-point transmissions,
usually using small UAS (sUAS). Allowing UAS to operate within airspace along
with commercial, cargo, and other piloted aircraft will likely require
dedicated and protected aviation spectrum at least in the near term, while
regulatory authorities adapt to their use. The command and control (C2), or
control and non-payload communications (CNPC) link provides safety critical
information for the control of the UAV both in terrestrial-based line of sight
(LOS) conditions and in satellite communication links for so-called beyond LOS
(BLOS) conditions. In this paper, we provide an overview of these CNPC links as
they may be used in 5G and satellite systems by describing basic concepts and
challenges. We review new entrant technologies that might be used for UAV C2 as
well as for payload communication, such as millimeter wave (mmWave) systems,
and also review navigation and surveillance challenges. A brief discussion of
UAV-to-UAV communication and hardware issues are also provided.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, IEEE aerospace conferenc
QoS Provisioning for Multi-Class Traffic in Wireless Networks
Physical constraints, bandwidth constraints and host mobility all contribute to the difficulty of providing Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees in wireless networks. There is a growing demand for wireless networks to support all the services that are available on wired networks. These diverse services, such as email, instant messaging, web browsing, video conferencing, telephony and paging all place different demands on the network, making QoS provisioning for wireless networks that carry multiple classes of traffic a complex problem. We have developed a set of admission control and resource reservation schemes for QoS provisioning in multi-class wireless networks.
We present three variations of a novel resource borrowing scheme for cellular networks that exploits the ability of some multimedia applications to adapt to transient fluctuations in the supplied resources. The first of the schemes is shown to be proportionally fair: the second scheme is max-min fair. The third scheme for cellular networks uses knowledge about the relationship between streams that together comprise a multimedia session in order to further improve performance. We also present a predictive resource reservation scheme for LEO satellite networks that exploits the regularity of the movement patterns of mobile hosts in LEO satellite networks. We have developed the cellular network simulator (CNS) for evaluating call-level QoS provisioning schemes. QoS at the call-level is concerned with call blocking probability (CBP), call dropping probability (CDP), and supplied bandwidth. We introduce two novel QoS parameters that relate to supplied bandwidth—the average percent of desired bandwidth supplied (DBS), and the percent of time spent operating at the desired bandwidth level (DBT)
A Threshold Based Handover Triggering Scheme in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks
The widespread popularity of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is recognized as an effective approach to complementing cellular networks for the high data rate and cost effective connectivity delivered to mobile users. Efficient handover and offloading schemes for integrated WLAN and cellular networks, referred to as Heterogeneous Wireless Networks, have thus attracted lots of attentions from both academia and industry. This paper proposes a novel Multiple-Threshold based Triggering (MTT) scheme for Cellular-to-WLAN handover control. Aiming at minimizing the probability of handover failures and unnecessary handovers, three thresholds are calculated based on a variety of network parameters such as system performance requirements, radius of the WLAN coverage, user mobility and handover delays. The thresholds are then compared against the predicted user residence time and estimated channel holding time inside WLAN to make vertical handover decisions (VHDs). Simulations were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of MTT and results show that MTT minimizes handover failures and avoids unnecessary handovers in integrated cellular and WLAN networks, thus providing satisfactory Quality of Service (QoS) to users and improving system resource utilization
Adaptation of the IEEE 802.11 protocol for inter-satellite links in LEO satellite networks
Knowledge of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a ceramic material is important in many application areas. Whilst the CTE can be measured, it would be useful to be able to predict the expansion behaviour of multiphase materials.. There are several models for the CTE, however, most require a knowledge of the elastic properties of the constituent phases and do not take account ofthe microstructural features of the material. If the CTE could be predicted on the basis of microstructural information, this would then lead to the ability to engineer the microstructure of multiphase ceramic materials to produce acceptable thermal expansion behaviour. To investigate this possibility, magnesia-magnesium aluminate sp~el (MMAS) composites, consisting of a magnesia matrix and magnesium aluminate s~ne'l (MAS) particles, were studied. Having determined a procedure to produce MAS fr alumina and magnesia, via solid state sintering, magnesia-rich compositions wit ~ various magnesia contents were prepared to make the MMAS composites. Further, the l\.1MAS composites prepared from different powders (i.e. from an alumina-magnesia mixture ahd from a magnesia-spinel powder) were compared. Com starch was added into the powder mixtures before sintering to make porous microstructures. Microstructural development and thermal expansion behaviour ofthe MMAS composites were investigated. Microstructures of the MAS and the MMAS composites as well as their porous bodies were quaritified from backscattered electron micrographs in terms of the connectivity of solids i.e. solid contiguity by means of linear intercept counting. Solid contiguity decreased with increasing pore content and varied with pore size, pore shape and pore distribution whereas the phase contiguity depended strongly on the chemical composition and was less influenced by porosity. ' The thermal expansion behaviour of the MAS and the MMAS composites between 100 and 1000 °C was determined experimentally. Variation in the CTE ofthe MAS relates to the degree of spinel formation while the thermal expansion of the MMAS composites depends strongly on phase content. However, the MMAS composites with similar phase compositions but made from different manufacturing processes showed differences in microstructural features and thermal expansion behaviour. Predictions of the CTE values for composites based on a simple rule-of-mixtures (ROM) using volume fraction were compared with the measured data. A conventional ROM accurately predicted the effective CTE of a range of dense alumina-silicon carbide particulate composites but was not very accurate for porous multiphase structures. It provided an upper bound prediction as all experimental values were lower. Hence, the conventional ROM was modified to take account of quantitative microstructural parameters obtained from solid contiguity. The modified ROM predicted lower values and gave a good agreement with the experimental data. Thus, it has been shown that quantitative microstructural information can be used to predict the CTE of multiphase ceramic materials with complex microstructures.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo
High-Throughput Air-to-Ground Connectivity for Aircraft
Permanent connectivity to the Internet has become the defacto standard in the second decade of the 21st century. However, on-board aircraft connectivity is still limited. While the number of airlines offering in-flight connectivity increases, the current performance is insufficient to satisfy several hundreds of passengers simultaneously. There are several options to connect aircraft to the ground, i.e. direct air-to-ground, satellites and relaying via air-to-air links. However, each single solution is insufficient. The direct air-to-ground coverage is limited to the continent and coastal regions, while the satellite links are limited in the minimum size of the spot beams and air-to-air links need to be combined with a link to the ground. Moreover, even if a direct air-to-ground or satellite link is available, the peak throughput offered on each link is rarely achieved, as the capacity needs to be shared with other aircraft flying in the same coverage area. The main challenge in achieving a high throughput per aircraft lies in the throughput allocation. All aircraft should receive a fair share of the available throughput. More specifically, as an aircraft contains a network itself, a weighted share according to the aircraft size should be provided. To address this problem, an integrated air-to-ground network, which is able to provide a high throughput to aircraft, is proposed here. Therefore, this work introduces a weighted-fair throughput allocation scheme to provide such a desired allocation. While various aspects of aircraft connectivity are studied in literature, this work is the first to address an integrated air-to-ground network to provide high-throughput connectivity to aircraft.
This work models the problem of throughput allocation as a mixed integer linear program. Two throughput allocation schemes are proposed, a centralized optimal solution and a distributed heuristic solution. For the optimal solution, two different objectives are introduced, a max-min-based and a threshold-based objective. The optimal solution is utilized as a benchmark for the achievable throughput for small scenarios, while the heuristic solution offers a distributed approach and can process scenarios with a higher number of aircraft. Additionally, an option for weighted-fair throughput allocation is included. Hence, large aircraft obtain a larger share of the throughput than smaller ones. This leads to fair throughput allocation with respect to the size of the aircraft. To analyze the performance of throughput allocation in the air-to-ground network, this work introduces an air-to-ground network model. It models the network realistically, but independent from specific network implementations, such as 5G or WiFi. It is also adaptable to different scenarios. The aircraft network is studied based on captured flight traces. Extensive and representative parameter studies are conducted, including, among others, different link setups, geographic scenarios, aircraft capabilities, link distances and link capacities. The results show that the throughput can be distributed optimally during high-aircraft-density times using the optimal solution and close to optimal using the heuristic solution. The mean throughput during these times in the optimal reference scenario with low Earth orbit satellites is 20 Mbps via direct air-to-ground links and 4 Mbps via satellite links, which corresponds to 10.7% and 1.9% of the maximum link throughput, respectively. Nevertheless, during low-aircraft-density times, which are less challenging, the throughput can reach more than 200 Mbps. Therefore, the challenge is on providing a high throughput during high-aircraft-density times. In the larger central European scenario, using the heuristic scheme, a minimum of 22.9 Mbps, i.e. 3.2% of the maximum capacity, can be provided to all aircraft during high-aircraft-density times. Moreover, the critical parameters to obtain a high throughput are presented. For instance, this work shows that multi-hop air-to-air links are dispensable for aircraft within direct air-to-ground coverage. While the computation time of the optimal solution limits the number of aircraft in the scenario, larger scenarios can be studied using the heuristic scheme. The results using the weighted-fair throughput allocation show that the introduction of weights enables a user-fair throughput allocation instead of an aircraft-fair throughput allocation. As a conclusion, using the air-to-ground model and the two introduced throughput allocation schemes, the achievable weighted-fair throughput per aircraft and the respective link choices can be quantified
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