research-article

On the Path to 6G: Embracing the Next Wave of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Access

Authors:

Gilles Charbit,

Nicolas Chuberre,

Jean-Francois BoutillonAuthors Info & Claims

IEEE Communications Magazine, Volume 59, Issue 12

Pages 36 - 42

https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOM.001.2100298

Published: 01 December 2021 Publication History

Abstract

Offering space-based Internet services with mega-constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites is a promising solution to connecting the unconnected. It can complement the coverage of terrestrial networks to help bridge the digital divide. However, there are challenges from operational obstacles to technical hurdles facing the development of LEO satellite access. This article provides an overview of the state of the art in LEO satellite access, including the evolution of LEO satellite constellations and capabilities, critical technical challenges and solutions, standardization aspects from 5G evolution to 6G, and business considerations. We also identify several areas for future exploration to realize tight integration of LEO satellite access with terrestrial networks in 6G.

References

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Cited By

Kim SWu JShim BWin M(2025)Cell-Free Massive Non-Terrestrial NetworksIEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications10.1109/JSAC.2024.346008043:1(201-217)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/JSAC.2024.3460080
Shen BWu YGong SLiu HOttersten BZhang W(2025)Massive MIMO-OTFS-Based Random Access for Cooperative LEO Satellite ConstellationsIEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications10.1109/JSAC.2024.346006443:1(90-106)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/JSAC.2024.3460064
Fang HZhao HShi JZhang MWu GChou YWang FLiu JCai JKankanhalli MPrabhakaran BBoll SSubramanian RZheng LSingh VCesar PXie LXu D(2024)Robust Live Streaming over LEO Satellite Constellations: Measurement, Analysis, and Handover-Aware AdaptationProceedings of the 32nd ACM International Conference on Multimedia10.1145/3664647.3680712(5958-5966)Online publication date: 28-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3664647.3680712
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Index Terms

On the Path to 6G: Embracing the Next Wave of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Access
1. Hardware
  1. Communication hardware, interfaces and storage
2. Networks
  1. Network architectures
  2. Network types
    1. Mobile networks
    2. Wireless access networks

Index terms have been assigned to the content through auto-classification.

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cover image IEEE Communications Magazine

IEEE Communications Magazine Volume 59, Issue 12

December 2021

109 pages

ISSN:0163-6804

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IEEE Press

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Published: 01 December 2021

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Cited By

Kim SWu JShim BWin M(2025)Cell-Free Massive Non-Terrestrial NetworksIEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications10.1109/JSAC.2024.346008043:1(201-217)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/JSAC.2024.3460080
Shen BWu YGong SLiu HOttersten BZhang W(2025)Massive MIMO-OTFS-Based Random Access for Cooperative LEO Satellite ConstellationsIEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications10.1109/JSAC.2024.346006443:1(90-106)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/JSAC.2024.3460064
Fang HZhao HShi JZhang MWu GChou YWang FLiu JCai JKankanhalli MPrabhakaran BBoll SSubramanian RZheng LSingh VCesar PXie LXu D(2024)Robust Live Streaming over LEO Satellite Constellations: Measurement, Analysis, and Handover-Aware AdaptationProceedings of the 32nd ACM International Conference on Multimedia10.1145/3664647.3680712(5958-5966)Online publication date: 28-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3664647.3680712
Wang JQi CYu SMao S(2024)Joint Beamforming and Illumination Pattern Design for Beam-Hopping LEO Satellite CommunicationsIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications10.1109/TWC.2024.346300223:12_Part_2(18940-18950)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/TWC.2024.3463002
Nguyen-Kha HNguyen Ha VLagunas EChatzinotas SGrotz J(2024)Joint Two-Tier User Association and Resource Management for Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial NetworksIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications10.1109/TWC.2024.344526623:11_Part_1(16648-16665)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/TWC.2024.3445266
Chen XLuo Z(2024)Asynchronous Interference Mitigation for LEO Multi-Satellite Cooperative SystemsIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications10.1109/TWC.2024.342210123:10_Part_3(14956-14971)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/TWC.2024.3422101
Liu HWang YLi PCheng J(2024)A Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Handover Scheme for Mega-Constellation Under Dynamic Propagation ConditionsIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications10.1109/TWC.2024.340735823:10_Part_1(13579-13596)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/TWC.2024.3407358
Ye NHou COuyang QKang BShin HMumtaz S(2024)Techno-Economic Assessment of LEO Mega-Constellation with Multi-Satellite CollaborationIEEE Communications Magazine10.1109/MCOM.006.240012662:11(36-42)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/MCOM.006.2400126
Toka LKonrad MPekar ABiczók G(2024)Integrating the Skies for 6G: Techno-Economic Considerations of LEO, HAPS, and UAV TechnologiesIEEE Communications Magazine10.1109/MCOM.003.240012062:11(44-51)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2024
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Torrens SPetrov VJornet J(2024)Modeling Interference From Millimeter Wave and Terahertz Bands Cross-Links in Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks for 6G and BeyondIEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications10.1109/JSAC.2024.336589442:5(1371-1386)Online publication date: 19-Feb-2024
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