Emerging Optical Technologies for 6G Space-Borne Communication Networks

Dear Colleagues,

The 6G non-terrestrial network (NTN), also referred to as a space-borne wireless network, represents the cutting-edge frontier of next-generation communication systems and is expected to fundamentally transform global connectivity and information exchange. Emerging optical technologies—including free-space optical communications (FSOC), visible light communications (VLC), terahertz (THz) communications, on-chip optical wireless links, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled communication techniques—offer compelling advantages such as ultra-high data rates, ultra-low latency, massive connectivity, and high energy efficiency, making them key enablers for future space-borne 6G networks.

Compared with conventional terrestrial communication systems, the deployment of 6G space-borne networks introduces a set of unique and formidable challenges. These challenges span multiple layers and include atmospheric attenuation and turbulence, stringent pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) requirements, as well as the design of robust modulation and coding schemes under highly dynamic network topologies and constrained inter-satellite and space–ground link capacities. Furthermore, the explosive growth of heterogeneous traffic generated by space sensing payloads, scientific experiments, and emerging space-based services calls for efficient traffic offloading mechanisms and intelligent networking design across integrated space–air–ground architectures.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive forum for presenting recent advances, theoretical foundations, and practical implementations of optical technologies for 6G space-borne communication networks. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

1. Network architectures for 6G non-terrestrial networks;
2. Optical integrated sensing and communication (O-ISAC);
3. Coding theory and applications for space networks;
4. Semantic and other emerging communication paradigms;
5. Optical transceivers and photonic devices for space networks;
6. Satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground free-space optical communications;
7. Quantum communications and quantum key distribution (QKD) in space;
8. Integration of space optical networks with terrestrial communication systems;
9. System implementation, performance evaluation, and optimization.

By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and in-depth knowledge exchange, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the research, development, and practical deployment of 6G space-borne communication networks, with a particular emphasis on key enabling optical technologies.

Prof. Dr. Lu Lu
Prof. Dr. Qifu Sun
Guest Editors

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• 6G and beyond
• non-terrestrial networks (NTN)
• space-borne communication networks
• optical wireless communications (OWC)
• free-space optical communications (FSO)
• optical transceivers and photonic technologies
• integrated sensing and communications (ISAC)
• coding, modulation, and information theory for space networks
• quantum communications and quantum key distribution (QKD)
• system design, testbeds, prototyping, and experimental validation