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FTA-NTN: Fairness and Throughput Assurance in Non-Terrestrial Networks

Sachin Ravikant Trankatwar, Heiko Straulino, Petar Djukic, Burak Kantarci

TL;DR

FTA-NTN tackles the joint optimization of throughput and fairness in multi-layer non-terrestrial networks. By combining Walker-Delta constellation modeling, a parametric mobility trace over Canada, adaptive K-Means beam clustering, and Bayesian optimization, the framework identifies constellation configurations that maximize $R_{total}$ while maintaining a balanced $JFI$. The approach delivers an aggregate throughput of about $9.88$ Gbps with an average fairness of $0.42$ under 500-user simulations, converging to an optimal LEO configuration of $9$ planes with $15$ satellites per plane and a MEO configuration of $7$ planes with $3$ satellites per plane, in line with 3GPP NTN scenarios. This demonstrates that throughput and fairness can be jointly optimized under realistic constraints, offering a scalable methodology for equitable, high-capacity NTN deployments.

Abstract

Designing optimal non-terrestrial network (NTN) constellations is essential for maximizing throughput and ensuring fair resource distribution. This paper presents FTA-NTN (Fairness and Throughput Assurance in Non-Terrestrial Networks), a multi-objective optimization framework that jointly maximizes throughput and fairness under realistic system constraints. The framework integrates multi-layer Walker Delta constellations, a parametric mobility model for user distributions across Canadian land regions, adaptive K-Means clustering for beamforming and user association, and Bayesian optimization for parameter tuning. Simulation results with 500 users show that FTA-NTN achieves over 9.88 Gbps of aggregate throughput with an average fairness of 0.42, corresponding to an optimal configuration of 9 planes with 15 satellites per plane in LEO and 7 planes with 3 satellites per plane in MEO. These values align with 3GPP NTN evaluation scenarios and representative system assumptions, confirming their relevance for realistic deployments. Overall, FTA-NTN demonstrates that throughput and fairness can be jointly optimized under practical constraints, advancing beyond throughput-centric designs in the literature and offering a scalable methodology for next-generation NTN deployments that supports efficient and equitable global connectivity.

FTA-NTN: Fairness and Throughput Assurance in Non-Terrestrial Networks

TL;DR

FTA-NTN tackles the joint optimization of throughput and fairness in multi-layer non-terrestrial networks. By combining Walker-Delta constellation modeling, a parametric mobility trace over Canada, adaptive K-Means beam clustering, and Bayesian optimization, the framework identifies constellation configurations that maximize while maintaining a balanced . The approach delivers an aggregate throughput of about Gbps with an average fairness of under 500-user simulations, converging to an optimal LEO configuration of planes with satellites per plane and a MEO configuration of planes with satellites per plane, in line with 3GPP NTN scenarios. This demonstrates that throughput and fairness can be jointly optimized under realistic constraints, offering a scalable methodology for equitable, high-capacity NTN deployments.

Abstract

Designing optimal non-terrestrial network (NTN) constellations is essential for maximizing throughput and ensuring fair resource distribution. This paper presents FTA-NTN (Fairness and Throughput Assurance in Non-Terrestrial Networks), a multi-objective optimization framework that jointly maximizes throughput and fairness under realistic system constraints. The framework integrates multi-layer Walker Delta constellations, a parametric mobility model for user distributions across Canadian land regions, adaptive K-Means clustering for beamforming and user association, and Bayesian optimization for parameter tuning. Simulation results with 500 users show that FTA-NTN achieves over 9.88 Gbps of aggregate throughput with an average fairness of 0.42, corresponding to an optimal configuration of 9 planes with 15 satellites per plane in LEO and 7 planes with 3 satellites per plane in MEO. These values align with 3GPP NTN evaluation scenarios and representative system assumptions, confirming their relevance for realistic deployments. Overall, FTA-NTN demonstrates that throughput and fairness can be jointly optimized under practical constraints, advancing beyond throughput-centric designs in the literature and offering a scalable methodology for next-generation NTN deployments that supports efficient and equitable global connectivity.
Paper Structure (19 sections, 18 equations, 3 figures, 1 table, 1 algorithm)

This paper contains 19 sections, 18 equations, 3 figures, 1 table, 1 algorithm.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. System Model and Problem Formulation
  4. System Model
  5. Satellite Constellation Modeling
  6. Parametric User Mobility Modeling
  7. Path Loss and Interference Modeling
  8. Sum Rate in FTA-NTN
  9. Fairness in FTA-NTN
  10. Multi-Objective Optimization Formulation
  11. Assumptions
  12. Solution for the MOO Problem
  13. Performance Evaluation per Constellation
  14. Satellite Propagation and User Mobility
  15. Beam Clustering and Assignment Strategy
  16. ...and 4 more sections

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: The NTN system with three orbital layers.
  • Figure 2: Performance metrics across LEO, MEO, and GEO layers over time: (a) number of users covered, (b) active satellites per layer, and (c) average beams utilized per satellite.
  • Figure 3: Sum rate and fairness over time.