Distributed satellite information networks: architecture, enabling technologies, and trends

Abstract Driven by the vision of ubiquitous connectivity and wireless intelligence, the evolution of ultra-dense constellation-based satellite-integrated Internet is underway, now taking preliminary shape. Nevertheless, the entrenched institutional silos and limited, nonrenewable heterogeneous network resources leave current satellite systems struggling to accommodate the escalating demands of next-generation intelligent applications. In this context, the distributed satellite information networks (DSIN), exemplified by the cohesive clustered satellites (CCS) system, have emerged as an innovative architecture, bridging information gaps across diverse satellite systems, such as communication, navigation, and remote sensing, and establishing a unified, open information network paradigm to support resilient space information services. This survey first provides a profound discussion about innovative network architectures of DSIN, encompassing distributed regenerative satellite network architecture, distributed satellite computing network architecture, and reconfigurable satellite formation flying, to enable flexible and scalable communication, computing and control, fundamentally enhancing network resilience. The DSIN faces challenges from network heterogeneity, unpredictable channel dynamics, sparse resources, and decentralized collaboration frameworks. To address these issues, a series of enabling technologies is identified, including channel modeling and estimation, cloud-native distributed MIMO cooperation, new waveform design, grant-free massive access, nonorthogonal multicast, distributed phased array antennas, high-speed inter-satellite communication, network routing, and the proper combination of all these diversity techniques. Furthermore, to heighten the overall resource efficiency, the cross-layer optimization techniques are further developed to meet upper-layer deterministic, adaptive and secure information services requirements. In addition, emerging research directions and new opportunities are highlighted on the way to achieving the DSIN vision.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science China Information Sciences
Published
2025-08-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-024-4408-1
Citations
17
Primary Topic
Satellite Communication Systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
84.89

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article

Distributed satellite information networks: architecture, enabling technologies, and trends

Xiongwen He, Yupeng Gong, Na Deng, Liujun Hu et al.
17 citations
Science China Information Sciences
Satellite Communication Systems
84.89
article

Distributed satellite information networks: architecture, enabling technologies, and trends

Xiongwen He, Yupeng Gong, Na Deng, Liujun Hu, Chiya Zhang, Zhen Gao, Jian Jiao, Yonghui Li, Yao Chen Shi, Xiqi Gao, Liang Xu, Jianhao Huang, Shujun Han, Dixian Zhao, Qinyu Zhang, Xiaohu You, Shuai Wang, Nan Zhang, Ke Zhang, You Li, Ye Wang, Shan Jiang, Xingjian Zhang, Nan Zhao, Xiaodong Xu, Tao Yang, Dongming Wang
article en
17 citations

Abstract

Abstract Driven by the vision of ubiquitous connectivity and wireless intelligence, the evolution of ultra-dense constellation-based satellite-integrated Internet is underway, now taking preliminary shape. Nevertheless, the entrenched institutional silos and limited, nonrenewable heterogeneous network resources leave current satellite systems struggling to accommodate the escalating demands of next-generation intelligent applications. In this context, the distributed satellite information networks (DSIN), exemplified by the cohesive clustered satellites (CCS) system, have emerged as an innovative architecture, bridging information gaps across diverse satellite systems, such as communication, navigation, and remote sensing, and establishing a unified, open information network paradigm to support resilient space information services. This survey first provides a profound discussion about innovative network architectures of DSIN, encompassing distributed regenerative satellite network architecture, distributed satellite computing network architecture, and reconfigurable satellite formation flying, to enable flexible and scalable communication, computing and control, fundamentally enhancing network resilience. The DSIN faces challenges from network heterogeneity, unpredictable channel dynamics, sparse resources, and decentralized collaboration frameworks. To address these issues, a series of enabling technologies is identified, including channel modeling and estimation, cloud-native distributed MIMO cooperation, new waveform design, grant-free massive access, nonorthogonal multicast, distributed phased array antennas, high-speed inter-satellite communication, network routing, and the proper combination of all these diversity techniques. Furthermore, to heighten the overall resource efficiency, the cross-layer optimization techniques are further developed to meet upper-layer deterministic, adaptive and secure information services requirements. In addition, emerging research directions and new opportunities are highlighted on the way to achieving the DSIN vision.

Science China Information SciencesVol. 68(9)
The University of Sydney (AU), Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CN), Xidian University (CN), China Mobile (China) (CN), China Academy of Space Technology (CN), Harbin Institute of Technology (CN), Dalian University of Technology (CN), ZTE (China) (CN), Beijing Research Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technology (CN), Peng Cheng Laboratory (CN), Purple Mountain Laboratories (CN), State Key Laboratory of Mobile Networks and Mobile Multimedia Technology, Southeast University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Satellite Communication Systems
84.89
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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