The next generation of mobile radio communication systems - so-called 5G - will provide some major changes to those generations to date. The ability to cope with huge increases in data traffic at reduced latencies and improved quality of user experience together with a major reduction in energy usage are big challenges. In addition, future systems will need to embody connections to billions of objects - the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) which raises new challenges. Visions of 5G are now available from regions across the world and research is ongoing towards new standards. The consensus is a flatter architecture that adds a dense network of small cells operating in the millimetre wave bands and which are adaptable and software controlled. But what is the place for satellites in such a vision? The chapter examines several potential roles for satellites in 5G including coverage extension, IoT, providing resilience, content caching and multi-cast, and the integrated architecture. Furthermore, the recent advances in satellite communications together with the challenges associated with the use of satellite in the integrated satellite-terrestrial architecture are also discussed.

Chapter Contents:

• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 The 5G vision
• 1.3 Satellites and previous cellular generations
• 1.4 Areas where satellite can play a part in 5G
• 1.4.1 Coverage
• 1.4.2 Massive machine-type communications
• 1.4.3 Resilience provisioning
• 1.4.4 Content caching and multi-cast
• 1.4.5 Satellite-terrestrial integration in 5G
• 1.4.5.1 Trunking and head-end feed
• 1.4.5.2 Backhauling and tower feed
• 1.4.5.3 Communication on the move
• 1.4.6 Ultra-reliable communications
• 1.5 Recent advances in 5G satellite communications
• 1.5.1 Ongoing project works on satellite-terrestrial integration
• 1.5.1.1 Satellite and terrestrial networks for 5G
• 1.5.1.2 Shared access terrestrial–satellite backhaul network enabled by smart antennas (SANSA)
• 1.5.1.3 VIrtualised hybrid satellite-terrestrial systems for resilient and flexible future networks (VITAL)
• 1.5.2 Terrestrial and satellite spectrum in 5G
• 1.5.3 Mega-LEO constellation
• 1.5.4 On-board processing
• 1.5.5 GaN technology
• 1.5.6 Software-defined networking
• 1.5.7 Multi-casting
• 1.5.8 Integrated signalling
• 1.6 Challenges and future research recommendations
• 1.6.1 Integrated satellite-terrestrial architecture
• 1.6.2 Integrated signalling in satellite communications
• 1.6.3 On-board processing
• 1.7 Conclusion
• References

Inspec keywords: quality of experience; telecommunication traffic; Internet of Things; satellite communication; 5G mobile communication; millimetre wave communication

Other keywords: coverage extension; integrated architecture; integrated satellite-terrestrial architecture; data traffic; improved quality-of-user experience; content caching; millimetre wave bands; IoT; mobile radio communication systems; 5G ecosystem; reduced latencies; satellite communications; Internet of Things

Subjects: Mobile radio systems; Satellite communication systems