Integrated Positioning and Communication via LEO Satellites: Opportunities and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper explores the integration of positioning and communication systems on LEO satellites, highlighting potential benefits, case studies, and open challenges in leveraging their combined capabilities for 6G networks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the synergistic integration of positioning and communication on LEO satellites, including case studies and identification of key research challenges.

Findings

Communication can improve positioning accuracy.

Positioning information can enhance communication efficiency.

Identification of open research challenges in LEO IPAC systems.

Abstract

Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, as a prominent technology in the 6G non-terrestrial network, offer both positioning and communication capabilities. While these two applications have each been extensively studied and have achieved substantial progress in recent years, the potential synergistic benefits of integrating them remain an underexplored yet promising avenue. This article comprehensively analyzes the integrated positioning and communication (IPAC) systems on LEO satellites. By leveraging the distinct characteristics of LEO satellites, we examine how communication systems can enhance positioning accuracy and, conversely, how positioning information can be exploited to improve communication efficiency. In particular, we present two case studies to illustrate the potential of such integration. Finally, several key open research challenges in the LEO-based IPAC systems are discussed.