Collaborative Multi-Band Multi-Orbit 6G Satellites with Multi-Connectivity: The Roles of Carrier Aggregation and Dual Connectivity

May 1, 2026·
Mohammed Al-Ansi
,
Jorge Querol
,
Eva Lagunas
,
Madyan Alsenwi
,
Symeon Chatzinotas
· 2 min read
Abstract
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly satellites, are increasingly being recognized as vital components beyond complementing terrestrial networks (TNs) in unified TN-NTN 6G systems. However, satellites operate independently in their orbits with single frequency bands, facing performance limitations that hinder their ability to satisfy diverse requirements. This has driven interest in transitioning from singleband single-orbit to multi-band multi-orbit (MBMO) systems, leveraging spectral and orbital diversities. This article emphasizes the significance of MBMO and presents multi-connectivity (MC) as an effective approach enabling collaboration across bands and orbits. We focus on carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC), two essential enablers of MC at different levels of the 3GPP protocol stack. We discuss their principles, benefits, and usage scenarios along with two case studies. A Ku-Ka inter-band CA case study demonstrated gains in throughput and reliability, ensuring service continuity under adverse weather conditions for a multi-band geostationary orbit (GEO) system. A multi-orbit DC between GEO and low Earth orbit (LEO) shows how DC addresses LEO satellite mobility challenges through seamless handovers. We also outline some open issues that require further study and advancement.
Type
Publication
IEEE Communications Magazine
publication

Abstract & Overview

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly satellites, are increasingly being recognized as vital components beyond complementing terrestrial networks (TNs) in unified TN-NTN 6G systems. However, satellites operate independently in their orbits with single frequency bands, facing performance limitations that hinder their ability to satisfy diverse requirements. This has driven interest in transitioning from singleband single-orbit to multi-band multi-orbit (MBMO) systems, leveraging spectral and orbital diversities. This article emphasizes the significance of MBMO and presents multi-connectivity (MC) as an effective approach enabling collaboration across bands and orbits. We focus on carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC), two essential enablers of MC at different levels of the 3GPP protocol stack. We discuss their principles, benefits, and usage scenarios along with two case studies. A Ku-Ka inter-band CA case study demonstrated gains in throughput and reliability, ensuring service continuity under adverse weather conditions for a multi-band geostationary orbit (GEO) system. A multi-orbit DC between GEO and low Earth orbit (LEO) shows how DC addresses LEO satellite mobility challenges through seamless handovers. We also outline some open issues that require further study and advancement.

Publication Metadata

6G-NTN Satellite Communications