Geometry and propagation
Translate orbital position and elevation into slant range, visibility, delay, Doppler, path loss, and coverage.
Active learning track · Ground–air–space connectivity
Non-Terrestrial Networks & Satellite Communication
I am studying NTN as a core path toward ubiquitous 6G connectivity across terrestrial, aerial, and satellite layers. I am developing the mathematics of satellite links and time-varying channels, then connecting it with 3GPP NR-NTN architecture, mobility, and resource management.
Transferable foundationWireless fading models, multi-user performance analysis, MATLAB simulation, and ROS 2 and MAVLink UAV workflows
Building nowOrbital geometry, satellite link budgets, Doppler and delay, multibeam systems, NR-NTN, mobility, and handover
Why this matters for 6G
Extending connectivity beyond terrestrial coverage
NTN brings satellites, high-altitude platforms, and UAVs into the communication system. The resulting links combine large and time-varying delays, Doppler, moving coverage regions, constrained power, multibeam interference, and complex mobility management.
Link and channel models
Build C/N0, Eb/N0, fading, shadowing, rain, atmospheric, antenna, and multibeam-interference models.
Standards and architecture
Study NR-NTN service and feeder links, transparent or regenerative payloads, synchronization, access, and protocol adaptations.
Network dynamics
Examine beam tracking, handover, scheduling, routing, resilience, and terrestrial–aerial–satellite coordination.
Technical foundation
Mathematics and systems under study
Mathematical foundations
- Keplerian motion, slant range, elevation, visibility windows, and coverage footprints
- Friis transmission, EIRP, G/T, free-space, atmospheric and rain loss, C/N0, and Eb/N0
- Doppler, propagation delay, coherence, shadowing, and Rician or land-mobile-satellite channels
- Antenna patterns, array processing, precoding, beamforming, and inter-beam interference
- Power and spectrum allocation, beam hopping, user association, and multiobjective optimization
- Graph, queueing, mobility and handover models, routing reliability, and Monte Carlo evaluation
Technical scope
- LEO, MEO, GEO, HAPS, and UAV layers with terrestrial–NTN integration
- Service and feeder links, gateways, transparent and regenerative payloads, and inter-satellite links
- Delay and Doppler compensation, synchronization, random access, and HARQ adaptations
- Multibeam scheduling, beam hopping, interference, and spectrum coexistence
- Beam tracking, mobility, handover, routing, and constellation management
- Direct-to-device and IoT NTN, link adaptation, resilience, security, and energy efficiency
Structured roadmap
From satellite link equations to integrated networks
Orbit, geometry, and link budget
Relate satellite motion and antenna geometry to coverage, path loss, delay, Doppler, and received signal quality.
Time-varying channel and multibeam access
Study land-mobile-satellite fading, interference, beam patterns, synchronization, random access, and link adaptation.
3GPP NR-NTN architecture and procedures
Connect physical models with the service architecture, payload types, access, HARQ, mobility, and protocol requirements.
Satellite–UAV–terrestrial coordination
Explore joint coverage, scheduling, handover, routing, resilience, and multi-user resource allocation.
Selected study resources
Research literature, books, and recorded tutorials
These sources guide my study plan; listing them does not imply completion of every paper, chapter, or lecture.
The resource set combines 3GPP-oriented overviews, broader 5G-to-6G surveys, satellite engineering texts, and IEEE tutorials.
5G from Space: An Overview of 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networks
Xingqin Lin and coauthors. A concise route into NR-NTN motivation, architecture, and standardization.
IEEE / DOIEvolution of Non-Terrestrial Networks From 5G to 6G
A survey of architectures, technologies, use cases, challenges, and open technical areas.
University of Luxembourg repositorySatellite Communications Systems
Maral, Bousquet, and Sun. A reference for orbits, links, payloads, multiple access, networks, and system engineering.
Wiley Online Library6G Non-Terrestrial Networking
A 2026 reference on architectures, enabling technologies, and simulation methods for 6G NTN.
SpringerNon-Terrestrial Networks: Fundamentals, Standards, Performance, and Practice
An IEEE VTS tutorial series spanning core NTN concepts and practical evaluation. Account or paid access may apply.
IEEE VTS Resource CenterEvolution of Satellite Systems toward 6G
A recorded talk by Zhili Sun connecting satellite-system evolution with the future 6G landscape.
IEEE VTS Resource CenterBridge from completed work
Connecting wireless analysis and UAV simulation to NTN
My current foundation supports a disciplined transition to NTN, while the satellite-specific physics, standards, and architectures remain subjects of active study.
NOMA, BER, and SIC analysis The existing n-user framework suggests extensions for time-varying LEO links, multibeam interference, and imperfect channel knowledge.
Rayleigh-fading simulation Experience comparing mathematical results and Monte Carlo behavior transfers to satellite fading, shadowing, outage, and mobility studies.
ROS 2 and MAVLink UAV simulation and testing experience can support aerial-node mobility, command-link, and handover scenarios within integrated NTN models.
Standards lens
Reference points for NR-NTN and IMT-2030
3GPP TR 38.811
The initial 3GPP study of New Radio support for non-terrestrial networks.
Open the 3GPP record3GPP TR 38.821
A 3GPP study of solutions and adaptations required for NR operation over NTN.
Open the 3GPP recordITU-R M.2569
A 2026 ITU report on development of the satellite component of IMT toward 2030 and beyond.
Read the ITU report