Satellite Network Slice Planning: Architecture, Performance Analysis, and Open Issues

For beyond-5G and 6G communications, the satellite-terrestrial integrated network (STIN) is expected to provide diverse services with global coverage. The first step in implementing a successful STIN is to make the satellite network capable of functioning seamlessly with its terrestrial counterpart. However, as satellites rotate around Earth at very high speeds and are connected over very long wireless links, it is almost impossible to use terrestrial schemes without modification.