Terminal-Aware Multi-Connectivity Scheduler for Uplink Multi-Layer Non-Terrestrial Networks

in IEEE Global Communications Conference (Globecom) (2023, January 12)

This paper introduces the concept of multi-connectivity (MC) to the multi-orbit non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), where user terminals can be served by more than one satellite to achieve higher peak ... [more ▼]

This paper introduces the concept of multi-connectivity (MC) to the multi-orbit non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), where user terminals can be served by more than one satellite to achieve higher peak throughput. MC is a technique initially introduced by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for terrestrial communications in 4G and 5G, it has shown much gain in the terrestrial domain and this paper explores areas where this concept can benefit the satellite domain. MC can increase throughput, but this entails increased power consumption at user terminal for uplink transmissions. The energy efficiency of uplink communications can be improved by designing efficient scheduling schemes, and to this end, we developed a terminal aware multi-connectivity scheduling algorithm. This proposed algorithm uses the available radio resources and propagation information to intelligently define a dynamic resource allocation pattern, that optimally routes traffic so as to maximize uplink data rate while minimizing the energy consumption at the UT. The algorithm operates with the terminal differentiating multi-layer NTN resource scheduling architecture, which has a softwarized dispatcher at the network layer that classifies and differentiates the packets based on terminal type. The performance of the proposed algorithm was compared with round robin and joint carrier schedulers in terms of uplink data rate and energy efficiency. We also provide architectural design of implementable schedulers for multi-orbital satellite networks that can operate with different classes of terminals. [less ▲]

NGSO-To-GSO Satellite Interference Detection Based on Autoencoder

in IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Toronto, Canada, Sept. 2023 (2023)

Two-tier User Association and Resource Allocation Design for Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Networks

in ICC Workshop on Mega-Constellations in the 6G Era (6gsatcomnet), Rome, Italy, May 2023. (2023)

Efficient Hamiltonian Reduction for Quantum Annealing on SatCom Beam Placement Problem

in IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), Rome, Italy, May 2023 (2023)

Characterizing and Utilizing the Interplay between Quantum Technologies and Non-Terrestrial Networks

in IEEE Transactions on Quantum Engineering (2023)

Quantum technologies have been widely recognized as one of the milestones towards the ongoing digital transformation, which will also trigger new disruptive innovations. Quantum technologies encompassing ... [more ▼]

Quantum technologies have been widely recognized as one of the milestones towards the ongoing digital transformation, which will also trigger new disruptive innovations. Quantum technologies encompassing quantum computing, communications, and sensing offer an interesting set of advantages such as unconditional security and ultra-fast computing capabilities. However, deploying quantum services at a global scale requires circumventing the limitations due to the geographical boundaries and terrestrial obstacles, which can be adequately addressed by considering non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). In the recent few years, establishing multi-layer NTNs has been extensively studied to integrate space-airborne-terrestrial communications systems, particularly by the international standardization organizations such as the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) and the international telecommunication union (ITU), in order to support future wireless ecosystems. Indeed, amalgamating quantum technologies and NTNs will scale up the quantum communications ranges and provide unprecedented levels of security and processing solutions that are safer and faster than the traditional offerings. This paper provides some insights into the interplay between the evolving NTN architectures and quantum technologies with a particular focus on the integration challenges and their potential solutions for enhancing the quantum-NTN interoperability among various space-air-ground communications nodes. The emphasis is on how the quantum technologies can benefit from satellites and aerial platforms as an integrated network and vice versa. Moreover, a set of future research directions and new opportunities are identified. [less ▲]

Beam Splash Mitigation for NGSO Spectrum Coexistence between Feeder and User Downlink

in International ITG 26th Workshop on Smart Antennas (WSA), Braunschweig, Germany, 27 Feb - 03 Mar 2023. (2023)

Integrated Access and Backhaul via Satellites

in IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Toronto, Canada, Sept. 2023 (2023)

LEO-to-User Assignment and Resource Allocation for Uplink Transmit Power Minimization

in International ITG 26th Workshop on Smart Antennas (WSA), Braunschweig, Germany, 27 Feb - 03 Mar 2023. (2023)

Opportunities for physical layer security in UAV communication enhanced with intelligent reflective surfaces

in IEEE Wireless Communications (2022), 29(06), 22-28

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an important component of next-generation wireless networks that can assist in high data rate communications and provide enhanced coverage.Their high mobility and ... [more ▼]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an important component of next-generation wireless networks that can assist in high data rate communications and provide enhanced coverage.Their high mobility and aerial nature offer deployment flexibility and low-cost infrastructure support to existing cellular networks and provide many applications that rely on mobile wireless communications. However, security is a major challenge in UAV communications, and physical layer security (PLS) is an important technique to improve the reliability and security of data shared with the assistance of UAVs. Recently, the intelligent reflective surface (IRS) has emerged as a novel technology to extend and/or enhance wireless coverage by reconfiguring the propagation environment of communications. This article provides an overview of how the IRS can improve the PLS of UAV networks. We discuss different use cases of PLS for IRS-enhanced UAV communications and briefly review the recent advances in this area. Then, based on the recent advances, we also present a case study that utilizes alternate optimization to maximize the secrecy capacity for an IRS-enhanced UAV scenario in the presence of multiple Eves. Finally, we highlight several open issues and research challenges to realize PLS in IRS-enhanced UAV communications. [less ▲]

Task-Oriented Communication Design in Cyber-Physical Systems: A Survey on Theory and Applications

in IEEE Access (2022)

Communication system design has been traditionally guided by task-agnostic principles, which aim at efficiently transmitting as many correct bits as possible through a given channel. However, in the era ... [more ▼]

Communication system design has been traditionally guided by task-agnostic principles, which aim at efficiently transmitting as many correct bits as possible through a given channel. However, in the era of cyber-physical systems, the effectiveness of communications is not dictated simply by the bit rate, but most importantly by the efficient completion of the task in hand, e.g., controlling remotely a robot, automating a production line or collaboratively sensing through a drone swarm. In parallel, it is projected that by 2023, half of the worldwide network connections will be among machines rather than humans. In this context, it is crucial to establish a new paradigm for designing communication strategies for multi-agent cyber-physical systems. This is a daunting task, since it requires a combination of principles from information, communication, control theories and computer science in order to formalize a general framework for task-oriented communication designs. In this direction, this paper reviews and structures the relevant theoretical work across a wide range of scientific communities. Subsequently, it proposes a general conceptual framework for task-oriented communication design, along with its specializations according to targeted use cases. Furthermore, it provides a survey of relevant contributions in dominant applications, such as industrial internet of things, multi-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, autonomous vehicles, distributed learning systems, smart manufacturing plants, 5G and beyond self-organizing networks, and tactile internet. Finally, this paper also highlights the most important open research topics from both the theoretical framework and application points of view. [less ▲]