Multi-Connectivity in 5G and Beyond Non-Terrestrial Networks

Abstract

The Fifth Generation (5G) communications systems aim to serve such service classes as Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC). To meet the growing requirements posed to mobile networks, satellites can be used to complement the Terrestrial Networks (TNs). To increase the efficiency of the satellite communications involved, bandwidth-efficient techniques should be used. Multi- Connectivity (MC) is one such technique. In MC, a User Equipment (UE), for example, a smartphone, can be connected to multiple Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs) simultaneously. In this paper, an adaptive MC activation scheme for throughput enhancement in 5G and beyond Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) is presented. The algorithm is evaluated by system simulations using different traffic split algorithms, namely, even split, data request per connection and per gNB algorithms. In the considered simulation scenario, the maximum throughput enhancement of 9.1%, compared to when MC is turned off, is experienced when using the adaptive Secondary Node (SN) addition algorithm with the combination of the data request algorithms.