학술논문

A Vision and Framework for the High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) Networks of the Future
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials IEEE Commun. Surv. Tutorials Communications Surveys & Tutorials, IEEE. 23(2):729-779 Jan, 2021
Subject
Communication, Networking and Broadcast Technologies
Signal Processing and Analysis
6G mobile communication
Base stations
Wireless networks
Urban areas
Tutorials
Topology
Resource management
Sixth generation (6G) networks
high altitude platform station (HAPS)
super macro base station (SMBS)
vertical heterogeneous network (VHetNet)
Language
ISSN
1553-877X
2373-745X
Abstract
A High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) is a network node that operates in the stratosphere at an of altitude around 20 km and is instrumental for providing communication services. Precipitated by technological innovations in the areas of autonomous avionics, array antennas, solar panel efficiency levels, and battery energy densities, and fueled by flourishing industry ecosystems, the HAPS has emerged as an indispensable component of next-generations of wireless networks. In this article, we provide a vision and framework for the HAPS networks of the future supported by a comprehensive and state-of-the-art literature review. We highlight the unrealized potential of HAPS systems and elaborate on their unique ability to serve metropolitan areas. The latest advancements and promising technologies in the HAPS energy and payload systems are discussed. The integration of the emerging Reconfigurable Smart Surface (RSS) technology in the communications payload of HAPS systems for providing a cost-effective deployment is proposed. A detailed overview of the radio resource management in HAPS systems is presented along with synergistic physical layer techniques, including Faster-Than-Nyquist (FTN) signaling. Numerous aspects of handoff management in HAPS systems are described. The notable contributions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in HAPS, including machine learning in the design, topology management, handoff, and resource allocation aspects are emphasized. The extensive overview of the literature we provide is crucial for substantiating our vision that depicts the expected deployment opportunities and challenges in the next 10 years (next-generation networks), as well as in the subsequent 10 years (next-next-generation networks).