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Modeling Interference from Millimeter Wave and Terahertz Bands Cross-links in Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks for 6G and Beyond

Sergi Aliaga, Vitaly Petrov, Josep M. Jornet

Abstract

High-rate satellite communications among hundreds and even thousands of satellites deployed at low-Earth orbits (LEO) will be an important element of the forthcoming sixth-generation (6G) of wireless systems beyond 2030. With millimeter wave communications (mmWave, ~30GHz-100GHz) completely integrated into 5G terrestrial networks, exploration of its potential, along with sub-terahertz (sub-THz, 100GHz-300GHz), and even THz (300GHz-3THz) frequencies, is underway for space-based networks. However, the interference problem between LEO mmWave/THz satellite cross-links in the same or different constellations is undeservedly forgotten. This article presents a comprehensive mathematical framework for modeling directional interference in all key possible scenario geometries. The framework description is followed by an in-depth numerical study on the impact of cross-link interference on various performance indicators, where the delivered analytical results are cross-verified via computer simulations. The study reveals that, while highly directional mmWave and, especially, THz beams minimize interference in many cases, there are numerous practical configurations where the impact of cross-link interference cannot be neglected and must be accounted for.

Modeling Interference from Millimeter Wave and Terahertz Bands Cross-links in Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks for 6G and Beyond

Abstract

High-rate satellite communications among hundreds and even thousands of satellites deployed at low-Earth orbits (LEO) will be an important element of the forthcoming sixth-generation (6G) of wireless systems beyond 2030. With millimeter wave communications (mmWave, ~30GHz-100GHz) completely integrated into 5G terrestrial networks, exploration of its potential, along with sub-terahertz (sub-THz, 100GHz-300GHz), and even THz (300GHz-3THz) frequencies, is underway for space-based networks. However, the interference problem between LEO mmWave/THz satellite cross-links in the same or different constellations is undeservedly forgotten. This article presents a comprehensive mathematical framework for modeling directional interference in all key possible scenario geometries. The framework description is followed by an in-depth numerical study on the impact of cross-link interference on various performance indicators, where the delivered analytical results are cross-verified via computer simulations. The study reveals that, while highly directional mmWave and, especially, THz beams minimize interference in many cases, there are numerous practical configurations where the impact of cross-link interference cannot be neglected and must be accounted for.
Paper Structure (27 sections, 42 equations, 10 figures, 2 tables)

This paper contains 27 sections, 42 equations, 10 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related work
  3. Claims and contributions
  4. System Model
  5. Orbital parameters
  6. Selected scenarios
  7. Propagation, antenna and routing assumptions
  8. Metrics of interest
  9. Interference Analysis
  10. General approach
  11. Modeling interference from the same orbit
  12. Single orbit: Theoretical performance limits
  13. Co-planar orbits
  14. Shifted orbits
  15. Co-planar Shifted Orbit
  16. ...and 12 more sections

Figures (10)

  • Figure 1: Interference modeling for LEO mmWave/THz directional cross-link communications.
  • Figure 2: Modeling single and co-planar orbits interference.
  • Figure 3: Geometry of a co-planar orbit interference setup.
  • Figure 4: Modeling interference from a shifted orbit.
  • Figure 5: Single orbit constellation at $h=500$ km.
  • ...and 5 more figures