2020/12/11 by Nasir Saeed, Heba Almorad, Saeed, Nasir +10 · 4 citations
Computer Science · Engineering · #Optical Wireless Communication Technologies #Satellite Communication Systems #UAV Applications and Optimization #cs.NI #cs.SY #eess.SP #eess.SY
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2012.06182
17 pages
arxiv created 2020/12/11 · arxiv updated 2020/12/14
This paper overviews point-to-point (P2P) links for integrated satellite-aerial networks, which are envisioned to be among the key enablers of the sixth-generation (6G) of wireless networks vision. The paper first outlines the unique characteristics of such integrated large-scale complex networks, often denoted by spatial networks, and focuses on two particular space-air infrastructures, namely, satellites networks and high-altitude platforms (HAPs). The paper then classifies the connecting P2P communications links as satellite-to-satellite links at the same layer (SSLL), satellite-to-satellite links at different layers (SSLD), and HAP-to-HAP links (HHL). The paper overviews each layer of such spatial networks separately, and highlights the possible natures of the connecting links (i.e., radio-frequency or free-space optics) with a dedicated overview to the existing link-budget results. The paper, afterwards, presents the prospective merit of realizing such an integrated satellite-HAP network towards providing broadband services in under-served and remote areas. Finally, the paper sheds light on several future research directions in the context of spatial networks, namely large-scale network optimization, intelligent offloading, smart platforms, energy efficiency, multiple access schemes, and distributed spatial networks.