Coordinated Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Between Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks in 5G and Beyond

TL;DR

This paper proposes a centralized coordinated dynamic spectrum sharing scheme between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks in 5G, enhancing spectrum efficiency and coverage while protecting primary terrestrial network performance.

Contribution

It introduces a novel centralized DSS scheme for NTNs and TNs, evaluated through simulations demonstrating improved performance under various traffic demands.

Findings

Primary TN performance remains unaffected at low traffic demand.

NTN can provide rural coverage effectively.

High traffic demand reduces TN peak performance but benefits cell edge and NTN users.

Abstract

The emerging Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) can aid to provide 5G and beyond services everywhere and anytime. However, the vast emergence of NTN systems will introduce an unseen interference to both the existing satellite systems and Terrestrial Networks (TNs). For that, there is a need for novel ideas on how to efficiently utilize the co-existing systems with the ever-increasing competition on scarce spectrum resources. Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) is a promising technique in which different systems can operate on the same spectrum, thus increasing the spectrum efficiency and offering better coverage for the users. In this paper, we present a centralized scheme for achieving coordinated DSS to protect the primary TN while providing NTN with sufficient resources. The scheme is evaluated by system simulations in a scenario with a TN and low earth orbit satellite. The results reveal that in a low traffic demand situation, the primary TN users are not affected negatively while the NTN can provide service to the rural area. In high-demand traffic situations, the peak performance of the TN inevitably suffers but the TN cell edge and NTN users' performance is improved.