End-to-end QoS Management Solution for 5G NTN Mega-Constellations

With the widespread adoption of 5G as a communication standard, mega-constellations have emerged as a viable alternative to terrestrial networks, offering extensive and reliable communication services across a broad spectrum of users and applications. These constellations, organized as grid networks, composed of multiple satellite layers and intersatellite links, provide different options for long-distance 5G communication services. However, their continuously changing architecture makes transport variable, requiring that new adaptation mechanism is developed to ensure the end-to-end QoS. To reach a complete QoS solution, we first present the different QoS segments of an end-to-end connection and then introduce a dynamic QoS assurance mechanism for mega-constellation both as concept and as high-level architecture. We propose to implement the end-to-end QoS by adapting the mega-constellation routing level and the 5G service path depending on the momentary conditions as well as introducing a new cross-layer between the 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system and its mega-constellation transport. The feasibility of the proposed QoS architecture is analyzed through various QoS scenarios, demonstrating its adaptability and implementation potential as extensions of current 5G NTN systems. With this, we provide the foundation for developing a comprehensive 5G NTN QoS solution.