Multi-protocol Layer-Resilient Communication in Satellite–Terrestrial Integration Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The integrated satellite–terrestrial system, which is based on terrestrial networks and extended by satellite networks to cover natural spaces, such as space, air, land, and ocean, is a necessary way to achieve ubiquitous connectivity in the 6G era. However, due to the periodic movement and open-channel nature of satellites, the instantaneous load on the satellite is not uniformly distributed, and communication signals are susceptible to interference signals. As a result, the overall load balancing and robustness of the network is seriously challenged, limiting further advancements in latency performance, network throughput, etc.

Resilient communication networks are a new network paradigm proposed in recent years in response to the development trend of the ubiquitous interconnection and heterogeneous integration of networks, which realizes the adaptive working capacity of the network in time-varying communication environments by constructing a perception–decision–execution loop. Existing research on resilient communication networks focuses on key networking technologies such as terrestrial software have defined networks, but more research is needed on realize how to perceive the time-varying external communication environment and internal service requirements, comprehensively schedule the free electromagnetic resources of multiple satellites and networks in the integrated satellite–terrestrial system, and make decisions on the communication strategies of the physical layer, MAC layer, and network layer and execute them, thus realizing the resilient communication capability of the integrated satellite–terrestrial system at the multi-protocol layer.  

This Special Issue focuses on important technical areas, such as integrated satellite–terrestrial system architecture, standard specifications, resilient communications in physical, MAC, network layers, etc. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but not limited to, the following topics:

• The integrated satellite–terrestrial system architecture, standards, protocols, and applications;
• On-board interference perception and intelligent decision;
• Multi-satellite and multi-system cooperative transmission technology;
• Mobility management for integrated satellite–terrestrial systems;
• Time-sensitive/delay-tolerant routing technology in integrated satellite–terrestrial networks;
• Resource management and scheduling technology in integrated satellite–terrestrial systems;
• Edge computing/caching technology in integrated satellite–terrestrial systems;
• Cyberspace security technology in integrated satellite–terrestrial systems;
• Massive access technology in integrated satellite–terrestrial systems;
• Robust communication waveform design and detection technology;
• Satellite beam forming and intelligent beam management;
• Integrated sensing and communication for integrated satellite–terrestrial systems;
• Characterization of integrated satellite–terrestrial systems’ capacity, coverage, etc.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Lidong Zhu
Prof. Dr. Minghua Xia
Prof. Dr. Mingchuan Yang
Guest Editors

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• integrated satellite–terrestrial system
• resilient communication network
• mobility and resource management
• routing
• waveform design
• massive access
• cooperative transmission
• intelligent decision
• beamforming
• integrated sensing and communication