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Preliminary Performance Evaluation of a Satellite-to-HAP Communication Link

Giovanni Grieco, Giovanni Iacovelli, Mattia Sandri, Marco Giordani, Michele Zorzi, Luigi Alfredo Grieco

TL;DR

The paper tackles the evaluation of a GEO-to-HAP non-terrestrial link within a 5G context by extending IoD-Sim to include HAP mobility, Earth-curvature-aware positioning, and the 3GPP TR 38.811 channel model. It demonstrates that a downlink at $f_c = 20$ GHz with a bandwidth of $400\ \\text{MHz}$ can achieve a peak SNR of $13.0584\ \text{dB}$, corresponding to a PHY capacity of about $1.78\ \text{Gbps}$, while the SNR degrades with increasing HAP-satellite distance and higher frequencies due to atmospheric effects, notably around $60\ \text{GHz}$ due to oxygen absorption. The work provides a practical PHY-layer evaluation framework for NTN scenarios and establishes a foundation for future end-to-end NTN simulations in 6G, including non-stationary orbits and MAC-layer considerations. Overall, the study validates the feasibility of GEO-HAP links under realistic mobility and channel conditions and highlights key frequency-distance trade-offs for high-capacity NTN backhaul.

Abstract

The emergence of Fifth-Generation (5G) communication networks has brought forth unprecedented connectivity with ultra-low latency, high data rates, and pervasive coverage. However, meeting the increasing demands of applications for seamless and high-quality communication, especially in rural areas, requires exploring innovative solutions that expand 5G beyond traditional terrestrial networks. Within the context of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), two promising technologies with vast potential are High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) and satellites. The combination of these two platforms is able to provide wide coverage and reliable communication in remote and inaccessible areas, and/or where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. This study evaluates the performance of the communication link between a Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellite and a HAP using the Internet of Drones Simulator (IoD-Sim), implemented in ns-3 and incorporating the 3GPP TR 38.811 channel model. The code base of IoD-Sim is extended to simulate HAPs, accounting for the Earths curvature in various geographic coordinate systems, and considering realistic mobility patterns. A simulation campaign is conducted to evaluate the GEO-to-HAP communication link in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in two different scenarios, considering the mobility of the HAP, and as a function of the frequency and the distance.

Preliminary Performance Evaluation of a Satellite-to-HAP Communication Link

TL;DR

The paper tackles the evaluation of a GEO-to-HAP non-terrestrial link within a 5G context by extending IoD-Sim to include HAP mobility, Earth-curvature-aware positioning, and the 3GPP TR 38.811 channel model. It demonstrates that a downlink at GHz with a bandwidth of can achieve a peak SNR of , corresponding to a PHY capacity of about , while the SNR degrades with increasing HAP-satellite distance and higher frequencies due to atmospheric effects, notably around due to oxygen absorption. The work provides a practical PHY-layer evaluation framework for NTN scenarios and establishes a foundation for future end-to-end NTN simulations in 6G, including non-stationary orbits and MAC-layer considerations. Overall, the study validates the feasibility of GEO-HAP links under realistic mobility and channel conditions and highlights key frequency-distance trade-offs for high-capacity NTN backhaul.

Abstract

The emergence of Fifth-Generation (5G) communication networks has brought forth unprecedented connectivity with ultra-low latency, high data rates, and pervasive coverage. However, meeting the increasing demands of applications for seamless and high-quality communication, especially in rural areas, requires exploring innovative solutions that expand 5G beyond traditional terrestrial networks. Within the context of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), two promising technologies with vast potential are High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) and satellites. The combination of these two platforms is able to provide wide coverage and reliable communication in remote and inaccessible areas, and/or where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. This study evaluates the performance of the communication link between a Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellite and a HAP using the Internet of Drones Simulator (IoD-Sim), implemented in ns-3 and incorporating the 3GPP TR 38.811 channel model. The code base of IoD-Sim is extended to simulate HAPs, accounting for the Earths curvature in various geographic coordinate systems, and considering realistic mobility patterns. A simulation campaign is conducted to evaluate the GEO-to-HAP communication link in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in two different scenarios, considering the mobility of the HAP, and as a function of the frequency and the distance.
Paper Structure (9 sections, 9 equations, 5 figures, 1 table)

This paper contains 9 sections, 9 equations, 5 figures, 1 table.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. System and Channel Model Implementation
  3. System Model Implementation
  4. Channel Model Implementation
  5. Basic path loss
  6. Atmospheric absorption
  7. Scintillation
  8. Simulation Campaign
  9. Conclusions and Future Work

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: Class diagram of the recent additions introduced in IoD-Sim to simulate HAP-to-satellite communication.
  • Figure 2: An overview of the trajectory of the HAP, its PoI, and the satellite position over the Earth.
  • Figure 3: The evolution of the SNR during the mission.
  • Figure 4: SNR vs. the distance between the HAP and the GEO satellite, projected on the Earth.
  • Figure 5: SNR in the PoI of maximum link gain vs. the frequency.