5G satellite networks for Internet of Things: Offloading and backhauling

• Published in: International journal of satellite communications and networking 2021-07, Vol.39 (4), p.431-444
• Main Authors: Soret, Beatriz, Leyva‐Mayorga, Israel, Cioni, Stefano, Popovski, Petar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age of Information; backhaul; Cellular communication; delay; Internet of Things; LEO constellations; Low earth orbits; offload; radio access; Satellite constellations; Satellite networks; Standardization; Traffic congestion
• ISSN: 1542-0973; 1542-0981
• DOI: 10.1002/sat.1394

Summary One of the main drivers of 5G cellular networks is provision of connectivity service for various Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Considering the potential volume of IoT devices at a global scale, the next leap is to integrate Non‐Terrestrial Networks (NTN) into 5G terrestrial systems, thereby extending the coverage and complementing the terrestrial service. This paper focuses on the use of low‐Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations for two specific purposes: offloading and backhauling. The former allows offloading IoT traffic from a congested terrestrial network, usually in a very dense area. In the latter application, the constellation provides a multi‐hop backhaul that connects a remote terrestrial Next Generation NodeB (gNB) to the 5G core network. After providing an overview of the status of the 3GPP standardization process, we model and analyze the user data performance, specifically in the uplink access and the satellite multi‐hop constellation path. The evaluation of the collisions, the delay and Age of Information, and the comparison of the terrestrial and the satellite access networks provide useful insights to understand the potential of LEO constellations for offloading and backhauling of IoT traffic. There are two promising uses of Low‐Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations in 5G Non‐Terrestrial Networks (NTN). First, IoT traffic can be offloaded from a congested terrestrial network, usually in a very dense area, through the constellation. Secondly, the constellation provides a multi‐hop backhaul that connects a remote terrestrial gNB to the 5G core network. The models and performance analyses of this paper provide useful insights to understand the potential of LEO constellation for offloading and backhauling of IoT traffic.