Toward Near-Space Communication Network in the 6G and Beyond Era

2025/05/18 by Xinhua Liu, Liu, Xinhua, Zhen Gao +15 · 6 citations
Computer Science · Engineering · #FOS: Electrical engineering #IoT and Edge/Fog Computing #Satellite Communication Systems #Signal Processing (eess.SP) #UAV Applications and Optimization #electronic engineering #information engineering

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2505.12379

openalex publication_date 2025/05/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Near-space communication network (NS-ComNet), as an indispensable component of sixth-generation (6G) and beyond mobile communication systems and the space-air-ground-sea integrated network (SAGSIN), demonstrates unique advantages in wide-area coverage, long-endurance high-altitude operation, and highly flexible deployment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of NS-ComNet for 6G and beyond era. Specifically, by contrasting satellite, low-altitude unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV), and terrestrial communications, we first elucidate the background and motivation for integrating NS-ComNet into 6G network architectures. Subsequently, we review the developmental status of near-space platforms, including high-altitude balloons, solar-powered UAVs, and stratospheric airships, and analyze critical challenges faced by NS-ComNet. To address these challenges, the research focuses on key enabling technologies such as topology design, resource and handover management, multi-objective joint optimization, etc., with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence techniques for NS-ComNet. Finally, envisioning future intelligent collaborative networks that integrate NS-ComNet with satellite-UAV-terrestrial systems, we explore promising directions. This paper aims to provide technical insights and research foundations for the systematic construction of NS-ComNet and its deep deployment in the 6G and beyond era.

Citations

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Cited by

• Large Model Enabled Embodied Intelligence for 6G Integrated Perception, Communication, and Computation Network
• Chirp Delay-Doppler Domain Modulation Based Joint Communication and Radar for Autonomous Vehicles
• Intelligent Multimodal Multi-Sensor Fusion-Based UAV Identification, Localization, and Countermeasures for Safeguarding Low-Altitude Economy
• AI Signal Processing Paradigm for Movable Antenna: From Spatial Position Optimization to Electromagnetic Reconfigurability
• Pseudo-Random TDM-MIMO FMCW Based Millimeter-Wave Sensing and Communication Integration for UAV Swarm
• E2E Learning Massive MIMO for Multimodal Semantic Non-Orthogonal Transmission and Fusion

Related

• Near Space Communications (NS-COM): A New Regime in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network (SAGIN)
• Near-Space Communications: the Last Piece of 6G Space-Air-Ground-Sea Integrated Network Puzzle
• Survey on Near-Space Information Networks: Channel Modeling, Transmission, and Networking Perspectives
• A Tutorial on Non-Terrestrial Networks: Towards Global and Ubiquitous 6G Connectivity
• Emerging Technologies for 6G Non-Terrestrial-Networks: From Academia to Industrial Applications