Non-Terrestrial Networks for 6G: Integrated, Intelligent and Ubiquitous Connectivity

TL;DR

This paper discusses the integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks with terrestrial networks for 6G, emphasizing AI and beamforming, and validates the approach through experimental analysis.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of 3GPP guidelines for NTN-TN integration, highlighting AI and beamforming roles, and offers experimental validation.

Findings

Successful integration of NTN and TN is feasible using 3GPP guidelines.

AI algorithms and beamforming enhance NTN-TN integration.

Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Abstract

Universal connectivity has been part of past and current generations of wireless systems, but as we approach 6G, the subject of social responsibility is being built as a core component. Given the advent of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), reaching these goals will be much closer to realization than ever before. Owing to the benefits of NTN, the integration NTN and Terrestrial Networks (TN) is still infancy, where the past, the current and the future releases in the 3$^{\text{rd}}$ Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) provide guidelines to adopt a successfully co-existence/integration of TN and NTN. Therefore, in this article, we have illustrated through 3GPP guidelines, on how NTN and TN can effectively be integrated. Moreover, the role of beamforming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms is highlighted to achieve this integration. Finally the usefulness of integrating NTN and TN is validated through experimental analysis.