On the Role of Semantic Communication in Non-Terrestrial Networks

The non-terrestrial network (NTN) is a key technology that will enable global coverage and seamless connectivity, while the limited available bandwidth and unstable channel conditions hinder the development of NTNs. Semantic communication focuses on the successful transmission of significant information rather than all bits of data, which offers a potential solution to break through the performance bottleneck in NTNs. In order to achieve efficient and reliable transmission, this article explores the role of semantic communication in NTNs and proposes a semantic communication- empowered NTN framework. The key components in the proposed framework are explained in detail, from data generation to transmission. Illustrative use cases and initial numerical results are demonstrated to show that semantic communication could be an enabler in enhancing efficiency and robustness in NTN-assisted Internet of Things and emergency communication scenarios. Challenges and future directions are also discussed to provide an insightful outlook on the implementation of semantic communication in NTNs.