Analysis of 6G Space-Ground Integrated Network Architecture

Abstract

As a key improvement of 6G, the combination of space and the ground expands the possibilities for mobile communication. The 6G space-ground integrated network is characterized by large spatial and temporal scales, time-varying topology, heterogeneous, highly dynamic spatial nodes, constrained spatial node resources, etc. The main obstacles to integrated space-ground networking are firstly examined in this research. Then, we build a three-dimensional integrated network architecture for the 6G space-ground integrated standard after analyzing the typical application scenarios and requirements of the network. We suggest two different space-ground integrated network architectures: one based on a dispersed core network and the other on a centralized core network on the ground. With the former, the core network is placed on the ground, and the air platform performs some access network activities. For the former, the air platform carries part of the access network functions and the core network is deployed on the ground. For the latter, the air platform carries access network functions and also loads part of the core network elements according to the requirements in order to meet the needs of different application scenarios.