LEO Satellite-to-Mobile Terminal Performance for 6G Non-terrestrial Networks
Keywords:
6G, Low Earth orbit satellites, Mobile satellite terminals, Non-terrestrial networks, On-the-move connectivity, Satellite-to-device communicationAbstract
Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems are increasingly recognized as a key component of sixth-generation (6G) non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly for supporting satellite-to-device connectivity under mobility conditions. Unlike geostationary systems, LEO satellites introduce rapid changes in geometry, Doppler shift, and link availability, which directly affect the performance of mobile user terminals. While existing studies have examined LEO-enabled NTNs from a network or physical-layer perspective, fewer works focus on the practical performance limits of mobile satellite terminals operating on the move. This paper presents an analytical and operationally oriented evaluation of LEO satellite-to-mobile terminal performance within a 6G NTN framework. The study adopts a terminal-centric approach, combining analytical link budget calculations with geometry-based elevation and scan-angle analysis to assess feasibility under realistic mobility conditions. The satellite access network is treated as a black-box commercial LEO NTN, allowing the analysis to remain independent of proprietary constellation design or network management mechanisms. The findings highlight the impact of antenna scan behavior, gain-to-noise temperature and effective isotropic radiated power constraints, Doppler dynamics, and sustained power consumption on link continuity during on-the-move operation. The results indicate that mobile terminals can meet baseline LEO NTN performance requirements when operating within defined elevation and mobility bounds, while also revealing trade-offs relevant to tactical-edge and mission-critical applications. The paper contributes practical engineering insight for integrating LEO satellite access into future 6G non-terrestrial architectures.
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