6G Non-Terrestrial Networks Enabled Low-Altitude Economy: Opportunities and Challenges

TL;DR

The paper investigates enabling a low-altitude economy (LAE) through sixth-generation non-terrestrial networks (6G NTN) and an integrated air-ground network (IAGN). It surveys enabling technologies including 3D network coverage, channel modeling, spectrum sharing, 3D beamforming, interference cancellation, and aircraft detection. It outlines aircraft-assisted LAE functionalities in sensing, communication, and ISAC, covering non-terrestrial and terrestrial sensing, ubiquitous coverage, relaying, and traffic offloading. It identifies future directions such as aircraft collaboration via Over-the-Air Computation, AI-enabled LAE with federated learning, and energy-efficient operation.

Abstract

The unprecedented development of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) utilizes the low-altitude airspace for commercial and social flying activities. The integration of NTN and terrestrial networks leads to the emergence of low-altitude economy (LAE). A series of LAE application scenarios are enabled by the sensing, communication, and transportation functionalities of the aircrafts. The prerequisite technologies supporting LAE are introduced in this paper, including the network coverage and aircrafts detection. The LAE functionalities assisted by aircrafts with respect to sensing and communication are then summarized, including the terrestrial and non-terrestrial targets sensing, ubiquitous coverage, relaying, and traffic offloading. Finally, several future directions are identified, including aircrafts collaboration, energy efficiency, and artificial intelligence enabled LAE.

Figures (6)

• Figure 1: IAGN network architecture for supporting LAE.
• Figure 2: Application scenarios of LAE.
• Figure 3: Technological prerequisites supporting LAE.
• Figure 4: Aircraft-assisted sensing and communication.
• Figure 5: Aircraft-assisted ISAC.