Enhancing satellite non-terrestrial networks through advanced constellation management: optimizing in-orbit resources for NB-IoT

Abstract

This paper presents a novel autonomous management system for satellite-based Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). It addresses the challenges of managing the operations of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations for the Internet of Things (IoT), emphasizing intermittent connectivity and resource constraints. This work contributes with the description of the scheduler module alongside a customized formulation of a novel multi-objective optimization problem and its associated mathematical framework. The resultant optimization algorithm is elaborated. This Constellation Management System (CMS) is validated through a real-world scenario, revealing substantial improvements of up to 40% in task assignment and throughput rates when compared to a best-effort baseline. This study underscores the CMS’s potential to enhance IoT communication with LEO constellations through resource-efficient and business-aware satellite operations scheduling.