Survey on seamless on-board and cloud connectivity for transport missions

Abstract

The reliable connectivity required for mission-critical transport systems, such as autonomous driving, remains a challenge in areas with limited terrestrial network coverage. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), particularly Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, have emerged as a promising solution to fill this gap. The study employs a comprehensive MATLAB-based simulation framework informed by 3GPP TR 38.811 and ITU-R channel models. The methodology involves a systematic approach where free-space path loss, atmospheric attenuation, Doppler shift, and environmental fading are integrated into a complete link budget. The primary contribution of this research is its integrated analysis of these factors specifically for vehicular links, providing a unified assessment of performance through key metrics including Bit Error Rate (BER) versus Carrier-to-Noise Ratio (CNR), BER versus Eb/N0, throughput, latency, and Doppler shift. The results demonstrate that elevation angle is the dominant factor governing link quality. Performance improves dramatically from near-unusable conditions at 10◦ to reliable, near-error-free operation (BER < 10−6) at 90◦ elevation. A critical finding is the establishment of a universal CNR threshold of approximately 15 dB for reliable operation. The analysis reveals a fundamental design trade-off: Ka-band offers higher throughput, while S-band provides robustness against impairments. Latency analysis confirms that LEO systems can meet the delay requirements for connected transport services. This study concludes that LEO-based NTNs are a viable complementary technology for intelligent transportation systems. The findings provide a clear framework for system design, highlighting the critical importance of elevation-aware planning and strategic frequency band selection.