Multi-Connectivity in 5G and Beyond Non-Terrestrial Networks
The Fifth Generation (5G) communications systems aim to serve such service classes as Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC). To meet the growing requirements posed to mobile networks, satellites can be used to complement the Terrestrial Networks (TNs). To increase the efficiency of the satellite communications involved, bandwidth-efficient techniques should be used. Multi- Connectivity (MC) is one such technique. In MC, a User Equipment (UE), for example, a smartphone, can be connected to multiple Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs) simultaneously. In this paper, an adaptive MC activation scheme for thr…
Multi-Connectivity for User Throughput Enhancement in 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks
To meet the increasing throughput and reliability demands, satellites may be used to complement the Fifth Gener-ation (5G) Terrestrial Networks (TNs). To increase the efficiency of the satellite communications involved, research on bandwidth-efficient techniques is needed. Multi-Connectivity (MC), where a user can be connected to multiple Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs) simultaneously, is one of such techniques. In this paper, the focus is on MC in NonTerrestrial Networks (NTNs) to improve users' experienced throughputs. First, a study of relevant specifications and algorithms is conducted. Then, the designed load-aware Secondary Node (SN) addition and traffic steering algorithms are present…