Satellite–Terrestrial Communication Networks: Physical Layer Architecture, Constellation Design, and Intelligent Networking
A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Communications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 297
Editors
Interests: wireless communication systems; array processing; MIMO; beamforming, and radio resource management techniques for satellite communication systems
Interests: MIMO systems; phase-noise channels; multiuser receivers and satellite communication
Interests: satellite communications; wireless communication resource allocation; signal processing for communications
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Satellite–terrestrial communication networks are becoming a cornerstone of next-generation wireless systems, driven by the rapid deployment of non-terrestrial networks (NTN), large-scale low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, and the evolution toward 6G architectures. The integration of space and ground segments enables ubiquitous coverage, enhanced resilience, ultra-reliable connectivity, and support for a wide range of emerging applications such as massive IoT, autonomous systems, remote sensing, and mission-critical communications. Despite these advantages, the dynamic topology of satellite constellations, severe Doppler effects, spectrum coexistence issues, and stringent latency constraints pose substantial challenges across both physical and network layers. Addressing these challenges requires advances in waveform design, channel modeling, beamforming, routing, and constellation optimization, supported by intelligent and adaptive communication techniques.
This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to wireless communications in satellite–terrestrial integrated networks, with a primary focus on physical layer innovations, constellation design, and intelligent networking. We welcome contributions addressing theoretical modeling and analysis, algorithm development, cross-layer optimization, and experimental validation, fully aligned with the scope of Sensors in wireless systems, RF technologies, signal processing, and intelligent networking. Submissions demonstrating measurable performance improvements, realistic system modeling, or experimental prototyping are particularly encouraged.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Waveform design and adaptive modulation/coding for NTN environments
- Channel modeling for LEO/MEO/GEO systems and high-mobility scenarios
- MIMO and massive MIMO techniques for satellite communications
- Interference management and spectrum sharing in integrated networks
- Satellite constellation design, optimization, and dynamic topology analysis
- Inter-satellite link (ISL) architectures and hybrid space–air–ground systems
- Dynamic routing and cross-layer optimization in time-varying networks
- Digital, analog, and hybrid beamforming for multi-beam satellite systems
- Beam tracking, beam hopping, and Radio Resource Management (RRM) strategies
- AI/ML-assisted physical layer and network optimization
- Experimental platforms, hardware impairments, and measurement campaigns
- Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) for NTN.
- Mobility management, handover strategies, and multi-connectivity techniques in satellite–terrestrial networks.
We welcome original research articles and comprehensive review papers that advance the state of the art in satellite–terrestrial wireless communication systems.
Dr. Daniel Gaetano Riviello
Dr. Alberto Tarable
Dr. Giacomo Bacci
Dr. Musbah Shaat
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- NTN
- LEO
- MIMO
- beamforming
- RRM
- RIS
- AI/ML
- 6G
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