A Mobile System Architecture for Store-and-Forward Operation in Non-Terrestrial Networks

Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) provide communication services using spaceborne and airborne platforms, including satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Among these, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites offer advantages such as low latency and wide covera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks (Online) pp. 709 - 712
Main Authors: Yoo, Hyunkyung, Park, Miryong, Ko, Namseok
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Published: IEEE 08.07.2025
Subjects:
LEO
Low earth orbit satellites
mobile core
mobile network
NTN
Quality of service
Radio access networks
regenerative
Reliability
Resilience
Resource management
Satellite broadcasting
Security
store and forward
Systems architecture
Wireless communication
ISSN:2165-8536
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) provide communication services using spaceborne and airborne platforms, including satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Among these, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites offer advantages such as low latency and wide coverage, but frequent feeder link disconnections disrupt network continuity. To address this challenge, we propose a mobile system architecture that integrates store-and-forward (SF) functionality within NTN. In this architecture, a satellite hosts both the Radio Access Network (RAN) and an Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF), enabling temporary data buffering when the feeder link is unavailable and forwarding it upon reestablishment. We analyze the PDU session establishment process and key network functions required for SF operation. The proposed architecture enhances NTN resilience by ensuring service continuity despite intermittent connectivity, optimizing network resource utilization, and supporting delay-tolerant applications. Future work will explore inter-satellite link (ISL) integration and resource optimization strategies for scalable NTN deployments.
ISSN:2165-8536
DOI:10.1109/ICUFN65838.2025.11169786