A Novel Non-Terrestrial Networks Architecture: All Optical LEO Constellations with High-Altitude Ground Stations
<|reference_start|>A Novel Non-Terrestrial Networks Architecture: All Optical LEO Constellations with High-Altitude Ground Stations: The emergence of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite mega-constellations is dynamically transforming the space sector. While free-space optical (FSO) links efficiently facilitate intersatellite data forwarding, they suffer from atmospheric/weather conditions in the space-to-ground link. This study delves into utilizing high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) as elevated relay stations strategically positioned above terrestrial ground stations. We introduce the concept of high-altitude ground stations (HAGS), an innovative approach to enabling the development of all optical LEO satellite constellations. The first contribution is an analysis of the HAGS-based network architecture where the LEO spacecraft only hosts FSO transceivers. Secondly, we execute an extensive simulation campaign to determine the gain of HAGS, including a new equivalency model with the traditional ground station approach. Finally, we examine the research challenges of implementing HAGS-based, all optical LEO mega-constellations.<|reference_end|>
@article{madoery2024a,
    title={A Novel Non-Terrestrial Networks Architecture: All Optical LEO
  Constellations with High-Altitude Ground Stations},
    author={Pablo G. Madoery, Juan A. Fraire, Jorge M. Finochietto, Halim
  Yanikomeroglu, Gunes Karabulut Kurt},
    journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.15659},
    year={2024},
    archivePrefix={arXiv},
    eprint={2403.15659},
    primaryClass={cs.NI}
}