Artificial Intelligence, Ambient Backscatter Communication and Non-Terrestrial Networks: A 6G Commixture

The advent of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) represents a compelling response to the International Mobile Telecommunications 2030 (IMT-2030) framework, enabling the delivery of advanced, seamless connectivity that supports reliable, sustainable, and resilient communication systems. Nevertheless, the integration of NTN with Terrestrial Networks (TN) necessitates considerable alterations to the existing cellular infrastructure in order to address the challenges intrinsic to NTN implementation. Additionally, Ambient Backscatter Communication (AmBC), which utilizes ambient Radio Frequency (RF) signals to transmit data to the intended recipient by altering and reflecting these signals, exhibits considerable potential for the effective integration of NTN and TN. Furthermore, AmBC is constrained by its limitations regarding power, interference, and other related factors. In contrast, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within wireless networks demonstrates significant potential for predictive analytics through the use of extensive datasets. AI techniques enable the real-time optimization of network parameters, mitigating interference and power limitations in AmBC. These predictive models also enhance the adaptive integration of NTN and TN, driving significant improvements in network reliability and Energy Efficiency (EE). In this paper, we present a comprehensive examination of how the commixture of AI, AmBC, and NTN can facilitate the integration of NTN and TN. We also provide a thorough analysis indicating a marked enhancement in EE predicated on this triadic relationship.

Investigating Map-Based Path Loss Models: A Study of Feature Representations in Convolutional Neural Networks

Path loss prediction is a beneficial tool for efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum. Building on prior research on high-resolution map-based path loss models, this paper studies convolutional neural network input representations in more detail. We investigate different methods of representing scalar features in convolutional neural networks. Specifically, we compare using frequency and distance as input channels to convolutional layers or as scalar inputs to regression layers. We assess model performance using three different feature configurations and find that representing scalar features as image channels results in the strongest generalization.

Path Loss Prediction Using Deep Learning

Radio deployments and spectrum planning can benefit from path loss predictions. Obstructions along a communications link are often considered implicitly or through derived metrics such as representative clutter height or total obstruction depth. In this paper, we propose a path-specific path loss prediction method that uses convolutional neural networks to automatically perform feature extraction from high-resolution obstruction height maps. Our methods result in low prediction error in a variety of environments without requiring derived obstruction metrics.

Chirped DFT-s-OFDM: A new single-carrier waveform with enhanced LMMSE noise suppression

In this correspondence, a new single-carrier waveform, called chirped discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM), is proposed for the sixth generation of communications. By chirping DFT-s-OFDM in the time domain, the proposed waveform maintains the low peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) of DFT-s-OFDM. Thanks to full-band transmission and symbols retransmission enabled by chirping and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) precoding, the proposed waveform can enhance noise suppression of linear minimum mean square error equalization. Its bit error rate (BER) upper bound and diversity order are derived using pairwise error probability. Simulation results confirm that the proposed waveform outperforms the state-of-the-art waveforms in terms of BER, output signal-to-noise-ratio, and PAPR.

Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) in Low Altitude Platforms

In this paper, we explore the problem of utilizing Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) technology in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), with a particular focus on aerial access networks. We consider an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based wireless network comprised of two layers of UAVs: (a) a lower layer consisting a number of flying users and a UAV Base Station (BS) that provides coverage for terrestrial users and, (b) an upper layer designated to provide both wireless access for flying users and backhaul connectivity for UAV BS. By adopting IAB technology, the backhaul and access links collaboratively share their resources, enabling aerial backhauling and the utilization of the same infrastructure and frequency resources for access links. A sum-rate maximization problem is formulated by considering aerial backhaul constraints to optimally allocate the frequency spectrum between aerial and terrestrial networks. We decompose the resulting non-convex optimization problem into two sub-problems of beamforming and spectrum allocation and then propose efficient solutions for each. Numerical results in different scenarios yield insightful findings about the effectiveness of using the IAB technique in aerial networks.

Strategic Demand-Planning in Wireless Networks: Can Generative-AI Save Spectrum and Energy?

Wireless communications advance hand-in-hand with artificial intelligence (AI), indicating an interconnected advancement where each facilitates and benefits from the other. This synergy is particularly evident in the development of the sixth-generation technology standard for mobile networks (6G), envisioned to be AI-native. Generative-AI (GenAI), a novel technology capable of producing various types of outputs, including text, images, and videos, offers significant potential for wireless communications, with its distinctive features. Traditionally, conventional AI techniques have been employed for predictions, classifications, and optimization, while GenAI has more to offer. This article introduces the concept of strategic demand-planning through demand-labeling, demand-shaping, and demand-rescheduling. Accordingly, GenAI is proposed as a powerful tool to facilitate demand-shaping in wireless networks. More specifically, GenAI is used to compress and convert the content of various kind (e.g., from a higher bandwidth mode to a lower one, such as from a video to text), which subsequently enhances performance of wireless networks in various usage scenarios such as cell-switching, user association and load balancing, interference management, and disaster scenarios management. Therefore, GenAI can serve a function in saving energy and spectrum in wireless networks. With recent advancements in AI, including sophisticated algorithms like large-language-models and the development of more powerful hardware built exclusively for AI tasks, such as AI accelerators, the concept of demand-planning, particularly demand-shaping through GenAI, becomes increasingly relevant. Furthermore, recent efforts to make GenAI accessible on devices, such as user terminals, make the implementation of this concept even more straightforward and feasible.

MIMO-NOMA Enabled Sectorized Cylindrical Massive Antenna Array for HAPS with Spatially Correlated Channels

The high altitude platform station (HAPS) technology is garnering significant interest as a viable technology for serving as base stations in communication networks. However, HAPS faces the challenge of high spatial correlation among adjacent users' channel gains which is due to the dominant line-of-sight (LoS) path between HAPS and terrestrial users. Furthermore, there is a spatial correlation among antenna elements of HAPS that depends on the propagation environment and the distance between elements of the antenna array. This paper presents an antenna architecture for HAPS and considers the mentioned issues by characterizing the channel gain and the spatial correlation matrix of the HAPS. We propose a cylindrical antenna for HAPS that utilizes vertical uniform linear array (ULA) sectors. Moreover, to address the issue of high spatial correlation among users, the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) clustering method is proposed. An algorithm is also developed to allocate power among users to maximize both spectral efficiency and energy efficiency while meeting quality of service (QoS) and successive interference cancellation (SIC) conditions. Finally, simulation results indicate that the spatial correlation has a significant impact on spectral efficiency and energy efficiency in multiple antenna HAPS systems.

Delay-Doppler Domain Pulse Design for OTFS-NOMA

We address the challenge of developing an orthogonal time-frequency space (OTFS)-based non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system where each user is modulated using orthogonal pulses in the delay Doppler domain. Building upon the concept of the sufficient (bi)orthogonality train-pulse [1], we extend this idea by introducing Hermite functions, known for their orthogonality properties. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed Hermite functions outperform the traditional OTFS-NOMA schemes, including power-domain (PDM) NOMA and code-domain (CDM) NOMA, in terms of bit error rate (BER) over a high-mobility channel. The algorithm's complexity is minimal, primarily involving the demodulation of OTFS. The spectrum efficiency of Hermite-based OTFS-NOMA is K times that of OTFS-CDM-NOMA scheme, where K is the spreading length of the NOMA waveform.

Error Performance Analysis of UAV-Mounted RIS for NOMA Systems with Practical Constraints

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have attracted recent attention for sixth-generation (6G) networks due to their low cost and flexible deployment. In order to maximize the ever-increasing data rates, spectral efficiency, and wider coverage, technologies such as reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) are adapted with UAVs (UAV-RIS NOMA). However, the error performance of UAV-RIS NOMA has not been considered, yet. In this letter, we investigate the error probability of UAV-RIS NOMA systems. We also consider the practical constraints of hardware impairments (HWI) at the transceivers, inter-cell interference (ICI), and imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC). The analytical derivations are validated by Monte-Carlo simulations. Our results demonstrate that our proposed system achieves higher performance gain (more than 5 dB with increasing the number of RIS elements) with less error probability compared to UAVs without RIS. Moreover, it is found that the HWI, ICI, and imperfect SIC have shown a negative impact on the system performance.

Realistic Channel and Delay Coefficient Generation for Dual Mobile Space-Ground Links - A Tutorial-

Channel and delay coefficient are two essential parameters for the characterization of a multipath propagation environment. It is crucial to generate realistic channel and delay coefficient in order to study the channel characteristics that involves signals propagating through environments with severe multipath effects. While many deterministic channel models, such as ray-tracing (RT), face challenges like high computational complexity, data requirements for geometrical information, and inapplicability for space-ground links, and nongeometry-based stochastic channel models (NGSCMs) might lack spatial consistency and offer lower accuracy, we present a scalable tutorial for the channel modeling of dual mobile space-ground links in urban areas, utilizing the Quasi Deterministic Radio Channel Generator (QuaDRiGa), which adopts a geometry-based stochastic channel model (GSCM), in conjunction with an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) provided state duration model. This tutorial allows for the generation of realistic channel and delay coefficients in a multipath environment for dual mobile space-ground links. We validate the accuracy of the work by analyzing the generated channel and delay coefficient from several aspects, such as received signal power and amplitude, multipath delay distribution, delay spread and Doppler spectrum.