Statusvortrag im Promotionsver­fahren von Herrn Mario Franke

Titel:  "Simulating Hybrid V2X/LEO Networks"

Abstract: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations will support future communication networks by delivering global connectivity, low latency, and high bandwidth that terrestrial infrastructure alone cannot match. Their integration is already considered in recent 3GPP standards. In order to achieve low-latency communication with LEO satellites, their orbit height is in the range of 200km - 2000km. Due to their low orbit, global coverage is only achievable with multiple fast moving satellites which introduce fast network topology changes. Use-cases that benefit from LEO satellite assistance are e.g., asset tracking, post-disaster rescue missions, or network connectivity provider for cars and trains in remote areas. Especially, the last use-case is challenging as cars and trains also have a fast moving mobility. Also, cars and trains often operate in environments with radio signal shadowing due to terrain formations, forests, or buildings.

As field tests are very expensive in this research area, computer simulations are an important tool to test new systems. Simulators that focus on either of two domains, the space or the ground domain, already exist. Combining both domains is challenging because of the huge mobility differences in terms of scale, speed, distance and dimensionality.

In my research, I investigate approaches to design a simulator that combines both the space and the ground domain. One aspect of the design is that existing models can be reused as far as possible.

Besides resarch questions about designing such a simulator, my implementation, called space_Veins, is used to investigate research questions regarding the influence of LEO satellite constellation characteristics, geo-location, obstacle shadowing and street layout.