Clustering Strategies for Multicast Precoding in Multi-Beam Satellite Systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes clustering algorithms for user selection in multicast precoding within multi-beam satellite systems, aiming to maximize throughput by effectively grouping users for simultaneous service.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mathematical framework and fixed-/variable-size clustering algorithms specifically designed for multicast precoding in satellite communications.

Findings

Algorithms effectively improve system throughput

Trade-offs between cluster size and performance are identified

Numerical simulations validate the proposed methods

Abstract

Next generation multi-beam SatCom architectures will heavily exploit full frequency reuse schemes along with interference management techniques, e.g., precoding or multiuser detection, to drastically increase the system throughput. In this framework, we address the problem of the user selection for multicast precoding by formulating it as a clustering problem. By introducing a novel mathematical framework, we design fixed-/variable-size clustering algorithms that group users into simultaneously precoded and served clusters while maximising the system throughput. Numerical simulations are used to validate the proposed algorithms and to identify the main system-level trade-offs.