Satellite Communications in the New Space Era: A Survey and Future Challenges

摘要: Satellite communications (SatComs) have recently entered a period of renewed interest motivated by technological advances and nurtured through private investment ventures. The present survey aims at capturing the state art in SatComs, while highlighting most promising open research topics. Firstly, main innovation drivers are motivated, such as new constellation types, on-board processing capabilities, non-terrestrial networks space-based data collection/processing. Secondly, applications described, i.e., 5G integration, space communications, Earth observation, aeronautical maritime tracking communication. Subsequently, an in-depth literature review is provided across five axes: i) system aspects, ii) air interface, iii) medium access, iv) networking, v) testbeds & prototyping. Finally, number future challenges respective topics described.