Improving IoT-over-Satellite Connectivity using Frame Repetition Technique

TL;DR

This paper presents an analytical framework to optimize frame repetition strategies in IoT-over-Satellite networks, improving coverage and success rates by considering line-of-sight probabilities and satellite availability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analytical model for frame repetition behavior based on LoS probability, aiding in coverage enhancement for IoT-over-Satellite systems.

Findings

Optimized frame repetition improves link success rate.

Framework adapts to satellite availability and LoS conditions.

Enhances coverage in NTN IoT deployments.

Abstract

Through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), a global coverage connecting areas with minimal or no terrestrial services is envisaged using satellite and air-borne platforms. However, one of the challenges to delivering NTN communications is the increased levels of path-loss, relative to typical terrestrial scenarios, due to the vast communication distance towards satellite platforms. Typically, cellular IoT technologies adopt frame repetitions where many redundant data transmissions are included to enhance its success rate. This can be also extended to satellite links to counter the effect of long distance communications on the link budget. In this paper, we put forth an analytic framework that captures the repetition behavior based on the probability of line-of-sight (LoS), as it heavily influences the propagation conditions. We analyze the coverage performance in terms of the frame success rate, which allows us to tune the repetitions behavior to suit a given satellite admittance region. Furthermore, we obtain an optimal global average success rate by considering the availability of satellites. The presented framework can facilitate coverage enhancements for IoT-over-Satellite networks.