{"title":"Multi-layer NTN architectures toward 6G: The ITA-NTN view","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.comnet.2024.110725","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper describes the integration of Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks, wherein space-based network entities collaborate with traditional and emerging terrestrial communication frameworks to furnish pervasive, resilient, and three-dimensional wireless connectivity worldwide toward the 6th Generation of communication networks. This integration supports heterogeneous services, such as enhancing coverage, user experience, system capacity, service reliability, and availability, while also providing high-speed connectivity in remote or disaster-affected areas, improving existing 5th Generation technologies. Various Use Cases are detailed, highlighting the pivotal roles that Non-Terrestrial Networks play in distinguishing between urban/suburban and rural environments, with particular emphasis on transportation ecosystems. Through this analysis, Key Performance Indicators and requirements are delineated to characterize the requisite service quality for these diverse Use Cases. The paper further presents an overview of potential and standards-compliant integrated Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial architectures, delineating their roles both in backhauling and access across different layers of Non-Terrestrial systems and elements. These insights are derived from studies conducted within the Integrated Terrestrial And Non-Terrestrial Networks (ITA-NTN) project, part of the European Union initiative defined as the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) RESTART Research Program.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":50637,"journal":{"name":"Computer Networks","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Computer Networks","FirstCategoryId":"94","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389128624005577","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"COMPUTER SCIENCE, HARDWARE & ARCHITECTURE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This paper describes the integration of Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks, wherein space-based network entities collaborate with traditional and emerging terrestrial communication frameworks to furnish pervasive, resilient, and three-dimensional wireless connectivity worldwide toward the 6th Generation of communication networks. This integration supports heterogeneous services, such as enhancing coverage, user experience, system capacity, service reliability, and availability, while also providing high-speed connectivity in remote or disaster-affected areas, improving existing 5th Generation technologies. Various Use Cases are detailed, highlighting the pivotal roles that Non-Terrestrial Networks play in distinguishing between urban/suburban and rural environments, with particular emphasis on transportation ecosystems. Through this analysis, Key Performance Indicators and requirements are delineated to characterize the requisite service quality for these diverse Use Cases. The paper further presents an overview of potential and standards-compliant integrated Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial architectures, delineating their roles both in backhauling and access across different layers of Non-Terrestrial systems and elements. These insights are derived from studies conducted within the Integrated Terrestrial And Non-Terrestrial Networks (ITA-NTN) project, part of the European Union initiative defined as the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) RESTART Research Program.
期刊介绍:
Computer Networks is an international, archival journal providing a publication vehicle for complete coverage of all topics of interest to those involved in the computer communications networking area. The audience includes researchers, managers and operators of networks as well as designers and implementors. The Editorial Board will consider any material for publication that is of interest to those groups.