LTE backhauling over MEO-satellites

Abstract

This paper considers satellite backhauling of eNodeBs aboard vehicles like trains, planes, (cruise) ships and coaches. Current LTE releases do not envisage backhauling of such moving eNodeBs. A Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite configuration like the O3b system and link budgets for the four mentioned vehicles are assumed for the considered scenario. The most promising potential network architecture is analysed by considering several use cases and thus identifying open issues. These issues are examined by analysis and simulation, where the employed real-time simulator implements both the LTE core network, base stations and UEs as well as video codecs on the application layer and a two-way DVB-S2/ACM satellite link emulator.