Multi-Satellite NOMA-Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA for IoT Networks

TL;DR

This paper evaluates multi-satellite receiver diversity in IoT networks using NOMA-IRSA protocols, deriving performance bounds and analyzing trade-offs in packet loss and energy efficiency amid satellite channel impairments.

Contribution

It introduces a performance evaluation framework for multi-receiver satellite IoT networks employing NOMA-IRSA, including a lower bound and analysis of design trade-offs.

Findings

Multi-receiver diversity significantly improves system performance.

A lower bound effectively estimates network behavior under satellite impairments.

Using one additional satellite receiver yields notable gains.

Abstract

As the transition from 5G to 6G unfolds, a substantial increase in Internet of Things (IoT) devices is expected, enabling seamless and pervasive connectivity across various applications. Accommodating this surge and meeting the high capacity demands will necessitate the integration of NonTerrestrial Networks (NTNs). However, the extensive coverage area of satellites, relative to terrestrial receivers, will lead to a high density of users attempting to access the channel at the same time, increasing the collision probability. In turn, the deployment of mega constellations make it possible for ground users to be in visibility of more than one satellite at the same time, enabling receiver diversity. Therefore, in this paper, we evaluate the impact of multi-receivers in scenarios where IoT nodes share the channel following a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA)irregular repetition slotted ALOHA (IRSA) protocol. Considering the impairments of satellite channels, we derive a lower bound of system performance, serving as a fast tool for initial evaluation of network behavior. Additionally, we identify the trade-offs inherent to the network design parameters, with a focus on packet loss rate and energy efficiency. Notably, in the visibility of only one extra satellite as receiver yields significant gains in overall system performance.