Massive MIMO for Non-terrestrial Communication Networks

Dear Colleagues,

Massive MIMO is one of the leading technologies for achieving extremely the high throughput and capacity gains promised by 5G and beyond terrestrial networks. It allows high-data-rate spatial multiplexing using simple beamforming and detection techniques. On the other hand, non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) supported by aerial platforms (i.e., satellites, high-altitude platforms (HAPs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)) have emerged as the most potent solution to complement terrestrial networks in providing ubiquitous and reliable coverage with ultrahigh data rate. Recently, equipping aerial platforms (satellites, HAPs and UAVs) with large-scale antenna arrays in the context of massive MIMO has gained a significant research interest in both academia and industry. Massive MIMO technology developed for terrestrial networks is not directly applicable to NTNs, and limited studies have been conducted to verify its performance in NTNs.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a common platform for researchers from both academia and industry to present their original research and practical contributions related to NTNs, leveraging the benefits of massive MIMO. This Special Issue also welcomes high-quality survey papers and state-of-the-art tutorials. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Massive MIMO techniques for satellites, HAPs, and UAVs;
• Performance analysis of satellites, HAPs, and UAVs with an onboard large-scale antenna array;
• Channel measurement and modelling for satellites, HAPs, and UAVs with an onboard large-scale antenna array;
• Novel waveform designs for satellites, HAPs, and UAVs;
• Hybrid beamforming for massive MIMO satellites, HAPs, and UAV systems;
• Hybrid antenna array architectures for satellites, HAPs, and UAV systems;
• Millimeter-wave satellites, HAPs, and UAV communication systems;
• Protocols and network architectures for satellites, HAPs, and UAV communication systems;
• Integrated massive MIMO terrestrial and NTNs;
• Antenna design for satellites, HAPs, and UAV communication systems;
• Physical-layer security for satellites, HAPs, and UAV communication systems;
• Machine learning and AI for integrated massive MIMO—terrestrial and NTNs;
• Prototyping, experimental demonstrations, and field trials for satellites, HAPs, and UAV communication systems.

Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad
Dr. Khoa Nguyen
Dr. Ahmed Iyanda Sulyman
Guest Editors

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• massive MIMO
• non-terrestrial networks
• satellites
• HAPs
• UAVs
• beamforming
• channel modelling
• beamforming
• antenna arrays
• physical-layer security
• machine learning and AI