Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces in Action for Non-Terrestrial Networks
This work addresses the problem of improving communication coordination for non-terrestrial and interplanetary networks, which is crucial for future space exploration and communication infrastructure.
This paper proposes using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) to enhance coordination between non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and deep-space networks (DSN). It presents a framework for RIS-assisted non-terrestrial and interplanetary communications, discussing challenges, use cases, and open issues, and simulates RIS-assisted NTN performance under environmental effects like solar scintillation and satellite drag.
Next-generation communication technology will be made possible by cooperation between terrestrial networks with non-terrestrial networks (NTN) comprised of high-altitude platform stations and satellites. Further, as humanity embarks on the long road to establish new habitats on other planets, cooperation between NTN and deep-space networks (DSN) will be necessary. In this regard, we propose the use of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) to improve coordination between these networks given that RIS perfectly match the size, weight, and power restrictions of operating in space. A comprehensive framework of RIS-assisted non-terrestrial and interplanetary communications is presented that pinpoints challenges, use cases, and open issues. Furthermore, the performance of RIS-assisted NTN under environmental effects such as solar scintillation and satellite drag is discussed in light of simulation results.