This book provides an overview of the latest R&D advancements in the field of ICT technologies inherent to a New Space vision. The book presents a system-level and technology-level description of future space networking and communications. The authors also expand the vision to interplanetary networks. The book spans hardware and software technologies for future space communication networks, also considering very modern paradigms like quantum technologies and Softwarization. In the book, the word “space” is intended in a wider sense than the usual “satellite communications”, including new and partially unexplored fields like quantum space communications, interplanetary communications, and extra-terrestrial Radio Access Networks (RANs). The book includes applications including Internet of Space Things, Tactile Internet/Digital twins for Space and discusses future challenges like those involved by the concept of “sustainable Space”.- Provides an overview of the latest R&D advancements in the field of ICT technologies inherent to a New Space vision;
- Considers visions and perspectives of space technology, including a through overview of satellite communications;
- Presents a system-level overview of future space networking and communications.
Author(s): Claudio Sacchi, Fabrizio Granelli, Riccardo Bassoli, Frank H. P. Fitzek, Marina Ruggieri
Series: Signals and Communication Technology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 302
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
Contributors
Acronyms
Part I Satellite Communication Technology
1 Millimeter Waves and High-Throughput Satellites: The New Frontier Toward Terabit Connectivity in the Sky
1.1 Enhanced System Flexibility and Reconfigurability
1.1.1 Software Defined Networking
1.1.2 SDN-Enabling Payloads
1.1.2.1 Flexible and Reconfigurable Payloads
1.1.2.2 Inter-Satellite Links
1.2 Spectrum and Dynamic Spectrum Access
1.2.1 Current and Planned Allocations
1.2.2 Dynamic Spectrum Access
1.3 System-Level Capacity Improvement
1.3.1 Multi User-MIMO
1.3.1.1 Beam-Centric MIMO
1.3.1.2 User-Centric MIMO
1.3.1.3 MIMO Algorithms and Normalisations
1.3.1.4 Trends and Challenges
1.3.2 Beam-Hopping
1.4 Air Interfaces
1.4.1 Novel Waveforms
1.4.2 Adaptive Modulation and Coding
1.4.3 Air Interfaces for HTS in High Mobility Scenarios
1.4.4 Impact of HW Impairments
1.5 Feeder Link Evolution to Support
1.5.1 Smart Gateway Deployment and On-Ground Architecture
1.5.2 Feeder Link MIMO
1.6 On-Going/Planned Mission/Services and Mega-Constellations
1.7 Final Remarks
References
2 The Role of Satellite in 5G and Beyond
2.1 Non-Terrestrial Networks Standardization
2.1.1 3GPP Release 17: The First 5G NTN-Based Standard
2.1.2 NTN Radio Access Network
2.1.2.1 Direct User Access
2.1.2.2 Relay-Based User Access
2.1.2.3 Multi-Connectivity
2.1.2.4 Radio Protocol Issues and Adaptations
2.1.3 5G-Advanced
2.2 Services
2.3 System Architectures
2.3.1 User Segment
2.3.2 Space Segment
2.3.3 Ground Segment
2.4 Applications
2.5 Research and Development Activities
References
3 Futuristic Satellite Scenarios in 6G
3.1 Vision of 6G and Non-Terrestrial Networks
3.2 Architectural Perspectives of 3D Network in 6G
3.2.1 3D Network Platforms and Frequency Bands
3.2.2 Proposed Implementation
3.3 Localisation and RF Sensing in Satellite Networks
3.3.1 Satellite Network-Based Localisation
3.3.2 Satellite Network-Based RF Sensing
3.4 Design Parameters
3.4.1 UAV-Based Implementation of Relay Protocol in 3D Networks
3.4.1.1 Transmission Delay
3.4.1.2 Session Time
3.4.1.3 Signal-to-Noise Ratio
3.4.1.4 Throughput
3.4.1.5 System Parameters
3.4.2 UAV-Based Implementation of Radio Unit in 3D Networks
3.4.2.1 Fronthaul Bandwidth
3.4.2.2 Theoretical Throughput
3.4.2.3 Connection Density
3.4.2.4 Number of Functions
3.4.2.5 Fronthaul Energy Consumption
References
4 Quantum Satellite Communications
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Introduction to Quantum Communications
4.2.1 Superposition
4.2.2 Multiple Qubits and Entanglement
4.2.3 Bloch Sphere
4.2.4 Quantum Computing Gates
4.2.4.1 Single Qubit Gates
4.2.5 2 Qubit and Multi-Qubit Gates
4.2.6 Bell State Measurement
4.2.7 Entanglement Swapping
4.2.8 Measurement
4.2.9 Nondemolition Measurement
4.3 State of the Art in the Quantum Satellite Communications
4.3.1 Quantum Key Distribution
4.3.2 Entanglement Distribution
4.3.3 Entanglement Based QKD
4.4 Why Satellite-Based Quantum Communication
4.5 Recent Trends in Quantum Satellite Communications
4.5.1 Satellite-to-Ground Communication
4.5.2 Entanglement with Multiple Satellite Links
4.5.3 Continuous Variable Entanglement Distribution
4.5.4 Quantum Information Transfer Through Free Space
4.5.4.1 Single Photon Transfer along 7000km in Space
4.5.4.2 Optical Signals Through 38,600km into The Atmosphere
4.5.4.3 QKD Through Inter-Satellite Free-Space Links
4.5.5 Breakthrough in Quantum Satellite Communications Around 2017
4.5.5.1 Satellite-to-Ground QKD and Ground-to-Satellite Quantum State Transfer
4.5.6 Developments Towards a Global Network
4.5.6.1 Satellite Based Quantum Intercontinental Network
4.5.6.2 Global Navigation Satellite System Using Quantum Communication
4.5.7 Secured Quantum Entanglement-Based Cryptography Demonstration Using Satellites
4.5.8 Moving Boundaries from Lab to Real World
4.5.8.1 A 4600km Comprehensive Quantum Communication Network from Space to The Ground
4.5.9 An Overview of QKD experiments on-Orbit Over the Years
4.6 Final Remarks
4.7 Current Limitations in Quantum Satellite Communications
4.8 Future Works in Quantum Satellite Communications
References
Part II Systems and Infrastructures
5 Ground and Space Hardware for Interplanetary Communication Networks
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Ground Infrastructure for Interplanetary Communication Network
5.2.1 Deep Space Antenna Architecture
5.2.2 Uplink and Downlink Chains
5.2.3 DSN Capabilities
5.2.4 ESTRACK Capabilities
5.3 On-Board Equipment for Interplanetary Communication Networks
5.3.1 S/C TT&C Transponders
5.3.2 S/C Solid State vs Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers
5.3.3 High- Medium and Low Gain Antennas
5.4 Direct Earth-to-Deep Space RF links vs Multi-Hop Links
5.4.1 Typical Performances and Limitations of a Direct Link
5.4.2 Data Relay Architectures
5.4.2.1 Data Relay Architectures for Earth Orbiting Users
5.4.2.2 Next Generation Data Relay Architectures for Earth Orbiting Users
5.4.2.3 Data Relay Architectures for Deep Space Users
5.4.3 Multi-Hop Links Advantages and Architectures
5.5 Guidelines for System Resources Allocation
5.5.1 Hardware Resources for a Traditional Single-Hop RF Link
5.5.2 Hardware Resources for a Relay Satellite
5.5.2.1 HW Resources for a Q/V EHF Band Link
5.5.2.2 HW Resources for an Optical Link
5.5.3 Technology Roadmap
5.6 Conclusions
References
6 End-to-End Space System: Engineering Considerations
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Statistical Nature of Onboard Data Generation
6.3 Statistical Nature of Communication Link
6.4 Link Optimization, Reliability, and Margin Policy
6.4.1 Review of Link Analysis Techniques
6.4.1.1 Link Budgeting Approach
6.4.1.2 Statistical Link Analysis
6.4.1.3 Minimum Margin for Link Design and Optimization
6.4.1.4 Illustrating Examples
6.4.1.5 Analysis Insight and Concept of Minimum Margin
6.4.2 ARQ Links for Reliable Communications and Its Statistical Characterization
6.4.2.1 Summary of Prior Results in ARQ Link Analysis
6.4.2.2 Statistical ARQ Link Analysis with Unlimited Number of Re-Transmissions
6.4.2.3 Statistical ARQ Link Analysis of Truncated ARQ with K Re-Transmissions
6.5 Concluding Remarks
References
7 Intelligent Space Communication Networks
7.1 Introduction
7.2 AI Improvements in Satellite Networks
7.2.1 Communication Resource Allocation
7.2.2 Security
7.2.3 Orbital Edge Computing (OEC)
7.2.4 Remote Sensing
7.2.5 Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network
7.2.6 Satellite Operations
References
8 Technologies and Infrastructures for a Sustainable Space
8.1 Space Sustainability: The Problem
8.2 Space Debris Mitigation/Removal
8.3 Sustainable-by-Design Approach: Enabling Technology
8.3.1 Concept of Sustainability by Design
8.3.2 BW/FW Compatibility: Federated Satellite Systems
8.3.3 BW/FW Compatibility: Joint Communication and Sensing
8.3.4 Ally Technologies
8.3.4.1 Softwarization
8.3.4.2 Autonomy and AI Tools
8.3.5 Very High-Speed Inter-Satellite/Inter-Layer Links
8.4 Conclusions
References
Part III Interplanetary Networking
9 Softwarization in Satellite and Interplanetary Networks
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Computational and Communication Technologies for Massive Space Exploration
9.2.1 Cloud, Edge, and Fog Computing
9.2.2 Network Coverage, Network Softwarization, and Network Automation
9.2.2.1 Virtualization and Softwarization
9.2.2.2 Backbone Network Technologies for Space Applications
9.2.2.3 Network Coverage Technologies on Remote Environment
9.2.2.4 Network Automation
9.2.2.5 Service Oriented Architecture for Intelligent Network Design
9.2.3 Internet of Things
9.2.4 Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications
9.3 Network Softwarization and In-Network Intelligence for Teleoperation, Telerobotic and Telepresence in Massive Space Exploration
9.3.1 Teleoperation
9.3.2 Telerobotic
9.3.3 Telepresence
9.3.4 Augmented Telerobotic
9.4 Teleoperation Using Edge Computing
References
10 Extraterrestrial Radio Access Network: The Road to Broadband Connectivity on Mars
10.1 Introduction
10.2 The Current (and Near Future) Picture of Martian Surface Connectivity
10.3 Martian Communications Supported by Sky Connections
10.4 LTE Connections Operating on the Mars Soil: Would They Be Practicable?
10.5 Advanced Solutions Based on 3D NTN and C-RAN
10.6 Conclusion
References
Part IV New Space Applications
11 Integration between Communication, Navigation and for Space Applications: Case Study on Lunar Satellite Navigation System with Focus on ODTS Techniques
11.1 Introduction: From Earth to Space Applications
11.2 Integrated Communication, Navigation and Sensing Systems for Space: Moon Case Study
11.2.1 Lunar Communication System Architecture
11.2.2 Lunar Satellite Navigation System
11.3 Orbit Determination Techniques for Lunar Satellite Navigation
11.4 Tracking from Earth or from Earth Orbit
11.5 Satellite Laser Ranging
11.6 Very Long Baseline Interferometry
11.7 High Sensitivity Spaceborn Receiver
11.8 Multiple Spacecraft Per Antenna Approach in TT&C Design
11.9 Tracking from Moon or from the Moon Orbit
11.9.1 Orbit Determination Candidate Configurations and Baseline Concept Introduction
11.10 Lunar Navigation ODTS System Architecture Baseline
11.11 Conclusions
References
12 The Internet-of-Things, the Internet of Remote Things, and the Path Towards the Internet of Space Things
12.1 Introduction
12.2 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networks for the IoT
12.2.1 Innovations of the Latest 3GPP Releases
12.2.1.1 Release 16
12.2.1.2 Release 17
12.2.1.3 Release 18
12.2.2 Innovation Projects
12.2.2.1 5G-EMERGE (2022)
12.3 LPWAN for IoT
12.4 Open Challenges Towards the Internet of Space Things
12.4.1 Independent LEO Satellites for IoRT/IoST
12.4.1.1 LEO Satellites of IoT with and Without ISL
12.4.1.2 Commercial LEO Constellations for IoT
12.4.2 Physical Layer
12.4.3 Medium Access
12.4.4 Network and Higher Layers
12.4.5 Edge Computing
12.5 Conclusions
References
Epilogue
Index
