Evaluating Performance in Satellite Communication Networks: An NS3-Based Simulation Study

Next-generation communication technologies aim to meet the evolving demands of users, emphasizing seamless access to high-quality services regardless of location or time constraints. However, conventional ground-based networks face limitations in providing Internet connectivity to users on several moving platforms, such as airplanes, ships, and trains, as well as in remote areas where building an extensive terrestrial infrastructure is economically unfeasible. To address these challenges, researchers and standardization organizations, such as the ITU, ETSI, ESA, and 3GPP, are exploring the integration of satellites into communication systems. Satellites are appealing thanks to their unique capabilities in delivering reliable connectivity across diverse geographical regions, independent of environmental factors and events, such as climate or natural disasters. However, a thorough investigation and verification is essential to deal with several aspects and allow testing the developed solutions in controlled environment before integrating them into operational systems. Accurate simulation tools play a crucial role in modeling propagation environments and network dynamics to ensure effective deployment and optimization of satellite communication networks. This paper presents a Network Simulator 3 (NS3)-based simulation tool that encompasses several key functionalities to ensure an accurate modeling of communications in Satellite-Terrestrial Integrated Networks (STIN). Among the offered functionalities, the simulator includes a mo-bility model based on the NORAD Simplified General Perturbations 4 (SGP4) mathematical model to simulate Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite movements, mobility models tailored for ground users (pedestrian, vehicles, train, and airplanes), and channel models, based on the 3GPP's Technical Report (TR) 38.811, representing different environments (dense urban, urban, sub-urban, and rural) including atmospheric absorption and clutter effects to provide accurate estimations of signal propagation and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) calculations. This paper also presents a comprehensive study evaluating the performance in different network settings with a focus on satellite-to-ground SNR and maximum link capacity calculations across Ka- and S-bands, showcasing the effectiveness of using NS3 as a simulation platform to assess performance in LEO satellite networks. By integrating factors such as node positioning, channel modeling, and environmental influences, we offer valuable insights into the design and optimization of satellite communication systems for diverse deployment scenarios, aiming to narrow the gap between simulation and real-world deployment and paving the path for more efficient and resilient satellite communication networks in the future.