Satellite Communications with 5G, B5G, and 6G: Challenges and Prospects

Satellite communications, pivotal for global connectivity, are increasingly converging with cutting-edge mobile networks, notably 5G, B5G, and 6G. This amalgamation heralds the promise of universal, high-velocity communication, yet it is not without its challenges. Paramount concerns encompass spectrum allocation, the harmonization of network architectures, and inherent latency issues in satellite transmissions. Potential mitigations, such as dynamic spectrum sharing and the deployment of edge computing, are explored as viable solutions. Looking ahead, the advent of quantum communications within satellite frameworks and the integration of AI spotlight promising research trajectories. These advancements aim to foster a seamless and synergistic coexistence between satellite communications and next-gen mobile networks.

System Integration of Terrestrial Mobile Communication and Satellite Communication——The Trends, Challenges and Key Technologies in B5G and 6G

Mobile communication standards have been developed into a new era of B5G and 6G.In recent years,low earth orbit(LEO)satellites and space Internet have become hot topics.The integrated satellite and terrestrial systems have been widely discussed by industries and academics,and even are expected to be applied in those huge constellations in construction.This paper points out the trends of two stages towards system integration of the terrestrial mobile communication and the satellite communications:to be compatible with 5G,and to be integrated within 6G.Based on analysis of the challenges of both stages,key technologies are thereafter analyzed in detail,covering both air interface currently discussed in 3GPP for B5G and also novel network architecture and related transmission technologies toward future 6G.

A Positioning System based on Communication Satellites and the Chinese Area Positioning System(CAPS)

The Chinese Area Positioning System （CAPS） is a positioning system based on satellite communication that is fundamentally different from the 3＂G＂ （GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO） systems. The latter use special-purpose navigation satellites to broadcast navigation information generated on-board to users, while the CAPS transfers ground-generated navigation information to users via the communication satellite. In order to achieve accurate Positioning, Velocity and Time （PVT）, the CAPS employs the following strategies to over- come the three main obstacles caused by using the communication satellite： （a） by real-time following-up frequency stabilization to achieve stable frequency; （b） by using a single carrier in the transponder with 36 MHz band-width to gain sufficient power; （c） by incorporating Decommissioned Geostationary Orbit communication satellite （DGEO）, barometric pressure and Inclined Geostationary Orbit communication satellite （IGSO） to achieve the 3-D posi- tioning. Furthermore, the abundant transponders available on DGEO can be used to realize the large capacity of communication as well as the integrated navigation and communication. With the communication functions incorporated, five new functions appear in the CAPS： （1） combination of navigation and communication; （2） combination of navigation and high accu- racy orbit measurement; （3） combination of navigation message and wide/local area differen- tial processing; （4） combination of the switching of satellites, frequencies and codes; and （5） combination of the navigation message and the barometric altimetry. The CAPS is thereby labelled a PVT5C system of high accuracy. In order to validate the working principle and the performance of the CAPS, a trial system was established in the course of two years at a cost of about 20 million dollars. The trial constellation consists of two GEO satellites located at E87.5° and E110.5°, two DGEOs located at E130° and E142°, as well as barometric altimetry as a virtual satellite. Static and dynamic performance tests were completed for the Eastern, the Western, the Northern, the Southern and the Middle regions of China. The evaluation results are as follows： （1） land static test, plane accuracy range： C/A code, 15-25 m; P code, 5-10 meters; altitude accuracy range, 1- m; （2） land dynamic test, plane accuracy range, C/A code, 15-25 m; P code, 8-10m; （3） velocity accuracy, C/A code, 0.13-0.3 m s-1, P code, 0.15-0.17 m s- 1; （4） timing accuracy, C/A code, 160 ns, P code, 13 ns; （5） timing compared accuracy of Two Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer （TWSTFT）, average accuracy, 0.068 ns; （6） random error of the satellite ranging, 10.7 mm; （7） orbit determination accuracy, better than 2 m. The above stated random error is 1σ error. At present, this system is used as a preliminary operational system and a complete system with 3 GEO, 3 DGEO and 3 IGSO is being established.

LNA Design for Future S Band Satellite Navigation and 4G LTE Applications

A good design of LNA for S band satellite navigation receivers and 4G LTE wireless communication system has been implemented in this paper.Due to increased congestion in the present L band,the S Band frequency from 2483.5-2500 MHz has been allocated for the future satellite navigation systems.For this purpose ATF-34143 amplifier(pHEMT)having high electron mobility and fast switching response has been chosen due to its very low Noise Figure(NF).The amplifier has been designed having bandwidth of 0.8 GHz from 1.8-2.6 GHz.Because of the large bandwidth,the amplifier could serve many wireless communication applications including 4G LTE mobile communication at 2.1 GHz.The design was implemented using the micro strip technology offering extremely low noise figure of 0.312 dB and 0.377 dB for 2.1 GHz and 2.49 GHz respectively.The gain of the amplifier was low and found to be 10.281 dB and 9.175 dB.For the purpose of increasing the gain of an amplifier,the proposed LNA design was then optimized by using Wilkinson Power Divider(WPD).The Balanced LNA design using WPD offered very low noise figure of 0.422 dB and 0.532 dB respectively and the gain was considerably increased and was found to be 20.087 dB and 17.832 dB respectively against 2.1 GHz and 2.49 GHz.Simulations and measurements were taken in Agilent Advanced Design System(ADS)software.The suggested LNA can be used for a variety of wireless communications applications including the future S band satellite navigation systems.

Benefits Analysis of Beam Hopping in Satellite Mobile System with Unevenly Distributed Traffic

Satellite mobile system and space-airground integrated network have a prominent superiority in global coverage which plays a critical role in remote and non-land regions, as well as emergency communications. However, due to the gradual angle attenuations of the satellite antennas, it is difficult to achieve full frequency multiplex among different beams as terrestrial 5G network. Multi-color frequency reuse is widely adopted in both academic and industry. Beam hopping scheme has attracted the attention of researchers recently due to the allocation flexibility. In this paper, we focus on analyzing the performance benefits of beam hopping compared with multi-color frequency reuse scheme in non-uniform user and traffic distributions in satellite system. Aerial networks are also introduced to form a space-airground integrated network for coverage enhancement,and the capacity improvement is analyzed. Besides,additional improved techniques are provided to make comprehensive analysis and comparisons. Theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that the beam hopping scheme has a prominent superiority in the system capacity compared with the traditional multicolor frequency reuse scheme in both satellite mobile system and future space-air-ground integrated network.

In-flight performance analysis of the navigation augmentation payload on LEO communication satellite:a preliminary study on WT01 mission

With the development of the Low Earth Orbit(LEO)communication constellations,it has become a hot area of research to provide additional navigation augmentation services.Limited by volume,weight,power consumption,and running time,the in-flight performance of navigation augmentation payload remains to be investigated.In this paper,we analyze the data quality of on-board GNSS observation and evaluate the precision of short-arc dynamic Precise Orbit Determination(POD)performance based on the WangTong-01(WT01)mission.Furthermore,the downlink navigation measurement data of WT01 satellites are analyzed and compared with the GNSS observations.The results show that the average multipath errors of the WT01 on-board GPS L1,L2 and BeiDou Satellite Navigation System(BDS)B1,B2 code observation are 0.54,0.74,0.65,and 0.58 m,respectively.The short-arc dynamic POD three-dimensional(3D)overlapping accuracy is 7.1 cm.The average multipath errors of downlink navigation signal Z1 and Z2 are 0.81 and 0.80 m,respectively,which at the same order of magnitude as GNSS signals.The maximum Carrier-to-Noise Ratio(C/N0)value of WT01 downlink measurement data can reach 60 dB Hz,which is much stronger than GNSS and indicates the navigation signals of LEO satellites can meet the basic requirement of navigation augmentation.

The principle of the positioning system based on communication satellites

It is a long dream to realize the communication and navigation functionality in a satellite system in the world. This paper introduces how to establish the system, a positioning system based on communication satellites called Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS). Instead of the typical navigation satellites, the communication satellites are configured firstly to transfer navigation signals from ground stations, and can be used to obtain service of the positioning, velocity and time, and to achieve the function of navigation and positioning. Some key technique issues should be first solved; they include the accuracy position determination and orbit prediction of the communication satellites, the measur- ing and calculation of transfer time of the signals, the carrier frequency drift in communication satellite signal transfer, how to improve the geometrical configuration of the constellation in the system, and the integration of navigation & communication. Several innovative methods are developed to make the new system have full functions of navigation and communication. Based on the development of crucial techniques and methods, the CAPS demonstration system has been designed and developed. Four communication satellites in the geosynchronous orbit (GEO) located at 87.5°E, 110.5°E, 134°E, 142°E and barometric altimetry are used in the CAPS system. The GEO satellites located at 134°E and 142°E are decommissioned GEO (DGEO) satellites. C-band is used as the navigation band. Dual frequency at C1=4143.15 MHz and C2=3826.02 MHz as well as dual codes with standard code (CA code and precision code (P code)) are adopted. The ground segment consists of five ground stations; the master station is in Lintong, Xi’an. The ground stations take a lot of responsibilities, including monitor and management of the operation of all system components, determination of the satellite position and prediction of the satellite orbit, accomplishment of the virtual atomic clock measurement, transmission and receiving navigation signals to and from each satellite. In the north, the south, the east, the west and the center of Chinese main land, the function of CAPS demonstration system is checked and measured. In cars and on board the system is also checked and measured. The results are as follow: CA-code, horizontal positioning accuracy, 15-25 m (1σ), vertical, 1-3 m; P-code, horizontal positioning accuracy, 8-10 m (1σ), vertical, 1-3 m; velocity accuracy, CA-code, 0.13-0.30 m/s, P-code, 0.15-0.17 m/s; time accuracy, CA-code, 160 ns, P-code, 13 ns; determination accuracy of orbit ≤2 m. About 20 million US $ and two years are spent for the development of demonstration. A complete CAPS system is now being established.

Functions of retired GEO communication satellites in improving the PDOP value of CAPS

This paper briefly introduces the maneuverable feature of the slightly inclined geosynchronous orbit (SIGSO) satellites under a new control model degraded from the geosynchronous orbit (GEO) communication satellites which will retire as most of the fuel in these satellites has been consumed. Basing on the transmitting Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS), the authors, by analyses, indicate that such satellites can make an improvement to CAPS constellation configuration, especially to the PDOP value from simulation. The results show that the use of SIGSO satellites can (1) actualize three-dimensional (3D) navigation and positioning compared with the situation, which, only using GEO satellites, cannot be carried out, and improve navigation and positioning accuracy to some extent; (2) reuse the communication services of these satellites for more years, and GEO communication satellites will be retired at a later time and delay their time to become space debris and reduce their pollution of the space environment, so that valuable space resources are maximally used. As for the use of these satellites in the transmitting positioning system, the authors present some views and suggestions in this work.

An INS/GNSS integrated navigation in GNSS denied environment using recurrent neural network

In view of the failure of GNSS signals,this paper proposes an INS/GNSS integrated navigation method based on the recurrent neural network(RNN).This proposed method utilizes the calculation principle of INS and the memory function of the RNN to estimate the errors of the INS,thereby obtaining a continuous,reliable and high-precision navigation solution.The performance of the proposed method is firstly demonstrated using an INS/GNSS simulation environment.Subsequently,an experimental test on boat is also conducted to validate the performance of the method.The results show a promising application prospect for RNN in the field of positioning for INS/GNSS integrated navigation in the absence of GNSS signal,as it outperforms extreme learning machine(ELM)and EKF by approximately 30%and 60%,respectively.

Realizing Intelligent Spectrum Management for Integrated Satellite and Terrestrial Networks

Nowadays both satellite and terrestrial networks are expanding rapidly to meet the ever-increasing demands for higher throughput,lower latency,and wider coverage.However,spectrum scarcity places obstacles in the sustainable development.To accommodate the expanding network within a limited spectrum,spectrum sharing is deemed as a promising candidate.Particularly,cognitive radio(CR)has been proposed in the literature to allow satellite and terrestrial networks to share their spectrum dynamically.However,the existing CR-based schemes are found to be impractical and inefficient because they neglect the difficulty in obtaining the accurate and timely environment perception in satellite communications and only focus on link-level coexistence with limited interoperability.In this paper,we propose an intelligent spectrum management framework based on software defined network(SDN)and artificial intelligence(AI).Specifically,SDN transforms the heterogenous satellite and terrestrial networks into an integrated satellite and terrestrial network(ISTN)with reconfigurability and interoperability.AI is further used to make predictive environment perception and to configure the network for optimal resource allocation.Briefly,the proposed framework provides a new paradigm to integrate and exploit the spectrum of satellite and terrestrial networks.

Multi-life cycles utilization of retired satellites

Retired geosynchronous (GEO) communication satellites affect the GEO orbit environment in outer space. According to the new concept of modern design, the authors propose creatively a method of reusing retired GEO communication satellites, through adjusting retired GEO satellites to slightly inclined orbit geosynchronous (SIGSO) satellites. After these retired satellites are applied to the navigation and communication system, integrity of navigation system and positioning accuracy of the system is improved. Meanwhile, some transponders on these retired satellites can be used to establish a new satellite communication service, and initiate the study and utilization of the multi-life cycle for retired satellites. Experimental results show that this project has significant social value and can make remarkable economic benefit.

Communication-based positioning systems:past,present and prospects

This paper reviews positioning systems in the context of communication systems. First, the basic positioning technique is described for location based ser- vice （LBS） in mobile communication systems. Then the high integrity global posi- tioning system （iGPS） is introduced in terms of aspects of what it is and how the low Earth orbit （LEO） Iridium telecommunication satellites enhance the global posi- tioning system （GPS）. Emphasis is on the Chinese Area Positioning System （CAPS） which is mainly based on commercial geostationary （GEO） communication satellites, including decommissioned GEO and inclined geosynchronous communication satel- lites. Characterized by its low cost, high flexibility, wide-area coverage and ample frequency resources, a distinctive feature of CAPS is that its navigation messages are generated on the ground, then uploaded to and forwarded by the communication satellites. Fundamental principles and key technologies applied in the construction of CAPS are presented in detail from the CAPS validation phase to its experimental system setup. A prospective view of CAPS has concluded it to be a seamless, high ac- curacy, large capacity navigation and communication system which can be achieved by expanding it world wide and enhancing it with LEO satellites and mobile base stations. Hence, this system is a potential candidate for the next generation of radio navigation after GPS.

卫星互联网赋能新型电力系统创新应用

卫星互联网是通过卫星规模化组网,以航天、通信、网络、数据等技术为支撑的全球全域全时新型网络信息基础设施。与传统卫星网络相比,具有广覆盖、低时延、高带宽、低成本等优势。通过剖析新型电力系统在广域覆盖、抗毁顽存、垂直应用等信息化能力建设方面的挑战,凝练高中低轨协同的卫星互联网内涵定义与能力特征,提出卫星互联网在电力规划、态势感知、巡视检修、防灾应急等业务领域赋能新型电力系统的实践路径。提出基于零信任的星地融合网络信息安全体系,为建设、运行及发展空天地全面一体、通导遥深度融合的新型电力系统提供基础参考,进一步提升新质生产力水平。

北斗三号系统卫星自主完好性监测技术

完好性对于全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)来说至关重要,关乎到其能否被放心应用。卫星自主完好性监测(SAIM)技术,是完好性监测技术发展的前沿趋势,国内外卫星导航系统均竞相发展。介绍了北斗三号系统SAIM技术设计与实现的重要意义,从功能设计和实现原理两个方面,阐述了北斗三号SAIM技术体制。针对SAIM实际在轨监测数据的正态分布特性服从程度和长期稳定性等问题,随机选取某一颗中圆轨道(MEO)卫星自2020年7月31日北斗三号系统正式开通服务以来至2021年7月31日连续1年期间的监测数据,得到真实在轨监测数据的分布特性。最后,提出了告警门限优化、分级告警策略设计、星历完好性自主监测等方面的后续发展必要性建议,旨在为北斗系统更好地为全球用户提供更优质的完好性服务提供参考。

一种全局低偏的视觉/惯性/弱定位辅助融合导航系统

以视觉惯性为核心的导航技术在长期运行工况下误差会不断累积,进而产生严重的轨迹偏移。针对该问题,提出一种全局低偏的视觉/惯性/弱定位辅助融合导航系统。该系统以视觉惯性里程计高频率、高局部精度特性为基础,在室内外不同场景中,提供可选的全局信息辅助方案,融合卫星导航原始信息、超声基站测距信息以及视觉靶标定位辅助信息,实现室内外一体化全局低偏导航。搭建数据平台采集现实数据,基于激光点云匹配方法生成轨迹真值,将本文方法与VINS-Mono方法和ORBSLAM3方法进行导航精度评估对比,证明所提出的系统在全天候室内外不同光照环境中鲁棒性最好,在局部和全局都具备最优的导航精度。

昆明CORS整合及升级设计与建设

本文主要介绍了昆明市卫星定位综合服务系统(KMCORS)整合和升级建设的背景、设计思路、建设内容和建设成效。项目对已有的两套CORS系统进行整合和升级,建设覆盖昆明全市域的基准站网,融合多个品牌接收机观测数据,实现多部门基准站观测数据的共享。KMCORS整合及升级后,全面支持北斗卫星导航系统,覆盖范围更广、精度更高,面向社会公众可实现线上一站式的管理和服务。同时,构建第一个城市连续运行参考站系统(CORS)监测运行体系,实现对CORS运行状态的全天候监测。项目的建设方法和过程,可为其他城市CORS升级改造提供参考。

GPS/BDS组合导航系统的精密单点定位模型

为了改善单卫星导航系统由于卫星数量较少,导致定位误差高的问题,设计全球定位系统(GPS)/北斗卫星导航系统(BDS)组合导航系统的精密单点定位模型:线性组合处理GPS与BDS的伪距和载波相位观测值,并构建GPS/BDS组合导航系统的组合观测值;接下来利用协方差成形自适应卡尔曼滤波方法,对组合导航系统导航过程中的卫星钟差、电离层延迟等误差实施滤波;再利用滤波处理后组合导航系统的广播星历,获取卫星轨道以及钟差;然后利用经验模型修正对流层延迟,获取相位观测值与伪距的综合改正数;最后利用综合改正数修正组合导航系统的观测方程,构建精密单点定位模型。实验结果表明,GPS/BDS组合导航系统采用所构建模型进行精密单点定位,不同方向定位误差均低于10 cm,证明了提出模型的有效性。

电力北斗应用体系设计与应用研究

随着北斗卫星导航系统(BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, BDS)的成熟,电力北斗应用不断拓展和深入,并构建起较为完整的应用体系.本文对电力BDS应用体系架构进行了研究设计,重点介绍了电力北斗在规划建设、设施设备管理、营销、调度控制及物资后勤管理等五方面的应用,并对电力北斗应用未来发展趋势进行了分析,提出了相应的发展建议.

Integration of GPS and low cost INS for pedestrian navigation aided by building layout

In outdoor environments, GPS is often used for pedestrian navigation by utilizing its signals for position computation, but in indoor or semi-obstructed environments, GPS signals are often unavailable. Therefore, pedestrian navigation for these environments should be realized by the integration of GPS and inertial navigation system （INS）. However, the lowcost INS could induce errors that may result in a large position drift. The problem can be minimized by mounting the sensors on the pedestrian＇s foot, using zero velocity update （ZUPT） method with the standard navigation algorithm to restrict the error growth. However, heading drift still remains despite using ZUPT measurements since the heading error is unobservable. Also, tbot mounted INS suffers from the initialization ambiguity of position and heading from GPS. In this paper, a novel algorithm is developed to mitigate the heading drift problem when using ZUPT. The method uses building lay- out to aid the heading measurement in Kalman filter, and it could also be combined for the initial- ization. The algorithm has been investigated with real field trials using the low cost Microstrain 3DM-GX3-25 inertial sensor, a Leica GS10 GPS receiver and a uBlox EVK-6T GPS receiver. It could be concluded that the proposed method offers a significant improvement in position accuracy for the long period, allowing pedestrian navigation for nearly40 min with mean position error less than 2.8 m. This method also has a considerable effect on the accuracy of the initialization.

An Adaptive Routing Algorithm for Integrated Information Networks

The integrated information network is a large capacity information network that integrates various communication platforms on the ground, at sea, in the air and in the deep air through the inter-satellite and satellite-ground links to acquire information accurately, process it quickly, and transmit it efficiently. The satellite communication, as an important part of integrated information networks, is one of main approaches to acquire, process and distribute communication information and resources. In this paper, based on current researches of the satellite communication network, we put forward a 3-layer satellite communication network model based on the Software Defined Network (SDN). Meanwhile, to improve current routing policies of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication network, we put forward an Adaptive Routing Algorithm (ARA) to sustain the shortest satellite communication link. Experiment results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce link distance and communication delay, and realize adaptive path planning.