Radio Resource Management Techniques for Multibeam Satellite Systems

Abstract

Next-generation of satellite communication (Sat-Com) networks are expected to support extremely high data rates for a seamless integration into future large satellite-terrestrial networks. In view of the coming spectral limitations, the main challenge is to reduce the cost (satellite launch and operation) per bit, which can be achieved by enhancing the spectral efficiencies. In addition, the capability to quickly and flexibly assign radio resources according to the traffic demand distribution has become a must for future multibeam broadband satellite systems. This article presents the radio resource management problems encountered in the design of future broadband SatComs and provides a comprehensive overview of the available techniques to address such challenges. Firstly, we focus on the demandmatching formulation of the power and bandwidth assignment. Secondly, we present the scheduling design in practical multibeam satellite systems. Finally, a number of future challenges and the respective open research topics are described.

Precoded Cluster Hopping for Multibeam GEO Satellite Communication Systems

“…From frequency/bandwidth to power allocation and coverage, the forthcoming generation of commercial satellite communication payloads offer enhanced flexibility to dynamically satisfy the customers' demands (Kisseleff et al, 2020;NetWorld 2020NetWorld , 2019. Such reconfigurable satellite systems are clamored by operators and manufacturers to be one of the most groundbreaking evolutions of satellite communications with an impact on lowering mission costs and enabling satellite systems to become more agile and responsive to market needs (SES, 2020;AIRBUS, 2021).…”

Precoding for Satellite Communications: Why, How and What Next?

“…The evolution of the satellite system architecture evidence a trend towards flexible, reconfigurable and cost-efficient payloads, motivated by the non-uniform traffic demand and powered by the advances in Software-Defined Radio technology [22,23]. The benefits of precoding techniques over broadband high-throughput satellite systems with some kind of flexibility built into them has so far received limited attention from the research community.…”

“…The benefits of precoding techniques over broadband high-throughput satellite systems with some kind of flexibility built into them has so far received limited attention from the research community. Flexibility can be implemented mainly in two forms [23]: (i) flexible allocation of bandwidth [24]; or (ii) time flexibility (beam hopping) [25]. In [24], the limits of a frequency-flexible GEO satellite system without precoding capabilities are explored in terms of achievable user demand satisfaction rate.…”

Flexible Resource Optimization for GEO Multibeam Satellite Communication System

“…In response to the above challenges as well as to the heterogeneous traffic demand patterns, the next generation of SatCom systems considers the deployment of a full digital payload combined with software-defined adaptive resource management. This revolution in the space segment opens a door to advanced resource management techniques capable of maximizing the satellite resource utilization while dynamically matching the distribution of the satellite capacity on ground to the geographic distribution of the traffic demand [11]- [13]. Currently, more sophisticated satellite designs with adaptive resource assignment capabilities are in the making or in testing phase.…”