Over the Air Computing for Satellite Networks in 6G

TL;DR

This paper reviews Over the Air computing in 6G satellite networks, highlighting its potential for efficient data management, discussing current gaps, and proposing future directions including 3D satellite sensor networks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of OTA computing in 6G satellite networks, identifies gaps in the current literature, and advocates for hybrid schemes and 3D network development.

Findings

Analog schemes may outperform digital in distributed scenarios

Current literature lacks a unified theoretical framework for OTA in satellite networks

OTA schemes can enable efficient 3D satellite sensor networks

Abstract

6G and beyond networks will merge communication and computation capabilities in order to adapt to changes. As they will consist of many sensors gathering information from its environment, new schemes for managing these large amounts of data are needed. For this purpose, we review Over the Air (OTA) computing in the context of estimation and detection. For distributed scenarios, such as a Wireless Sensor Network, it has been proven that a separation theorem does not necessarily hold, whereas analog schemes may outperform digital designs. We outline existing gaps in the literature, evincing that current state of the art requires a theoretical framework based on analog and hybrid digital-analog schemes that will boost the evolution of OTA computing. Furthermore, we motivate the development of 3D networks based on OTA schemes, where satellites function as sensors. We discuss its integration within the satellite segment, delineate current challenges and present a variety of use cases that benefit from OTA computing in 3D networks.