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LTE‐based satellite communications in LEO mega‐constellations
Author(s) -
Guidotti Alessandro,
VanelliCoralli Alessandro,
Foggi Tommaso,
Colavolpe Giulio,
Caus Márius,
Bas Joan,
Cioni Stefano,
Modenini Andrea
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of satellite communications and networking
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.388
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1542-0981
pISSN - 1542-0973
DOI - 10.1002/sat.1258
Subject(s) - computer science , satellite , constellation , handover , satellite constellation , telecommunications , phy , low earth orbit , relay , computer network , channel (broadcasting) , wimax , communications satellite , node (physics) , satellite system , telecommunications link , doppler effect , wireless , global positioning system , physical layer , physics , power (physics) , structural engineering , gnss applications , quantum mechanics , astronomy , engineering , aerospace engineering
Summary The integration of satellite and terrestrial networks is a promising solution for extending broadband coverage to areas not connected to a terrestrial infrastructure, as also demonstrated by recent commercial and standardisation endeavours. However, the large delays and Doppler shifts over the satellite channel pose severe technical challenges to traditional terrestrial systems, as long‐term evolution (LTE) or 5G. In this paper, 2 architectures are proposed for a low Earth orbit mega‐constellation realising a satellite‐enabled LTE system, in which the on‐ground LTE entity is either an eNB (Sat‐eNB) or a relay node (Sat‐RN). The impact of satellite channel impairments as large delays and Doppler shifts on LTE PHY/MAC procedures is discussed and assessed. The proposed analysis shows that, while carrier spacings, random access and RN attach procedures do not pose specific issues and hybrid automatic repeat request requires substantial modifications. Moreover, advanced handover procedures will be also required due to the satellites' movement.