Non-Terrestrial Network Architecture and Key Technologies for Civil Aviation

LIU Xiangnan; QIU Yu; HUANG Zhipeng; ZHANG Haijun

doi:10.11999/JEIT260348

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LIU Xiangnan, QIU Yu, HUANG Zhipeng, ZHANG Haijun. Non-Terrestrial Network Architecture and Key Technologies for Civil Aviation[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260348

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LIU Xiangnan, QIU Yu, HUANG Zhipeng, ZHANG Haijun. Non-Terrestrial Network Architecture and Key Technologies for Civil Aviation[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260348

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Non-Terrestrial Network Architecture and Key Technologies for Civil Aviation

doi: 10.11999/JEIT260348 cstr: 32379.14.JEIT260348

LIU Xiangnan^{1, 2},
QIU Yu³,
HUANG Zhipeng^{1, 2},
ZHANG Haijun^{1, 2
,
,}

1.
Hebei Key Laboratory of Space-Air-Ground Intelligent Communication, Beijing 100083, China
2.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent and Communication Integration, Beijing 100083, China
3.
Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute, Shanghai 201210, China

Funds: National Key R&D Program (2024YFB2907304), The National Natural Science Foundation of China (6222510, 62501048, U22B2003, U2441227), Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation (L253003, L241008)

Received Date: 2026-03-25
Accepted Date: 2026-05-12
Rev Recd Date: 2026-05-12

Available Online: 2026-05-29

Abstract

Abstract

Significance Currently, civil aviation communications rely heavily on terrestrial base stations and narrowband satellite communications. This setup not only leaves significant coverage blind spots in scenarios like remote airspace, transoceanic routes, and polar flights—failing to meet the high-reliability requirements of core operations such as real-time flight monitoring and engine health data transmission—but also suffers from pain points including bandwidth constraints, poor passenger connectivity experience, and insufficient communication resilience in emergency scenarios. Progress In this context, we review the evolution of NTN technologies in the civil aviation sector and track the latest research progress worldwide and domestically on civil aviation NTN networks, including network frameworks, mobility management, and resource management. To enable NTN networks to better serve the civil aviation, we approach the topic from three perspectives—network frameworks, mobility management, and resource management—introducing key technologies in network architecture, access and mobility management, and novel resource control mechanisms within NTN systems. Conclusions For civil aviation, NTN can not only completely fill the coverage gaps of terrestrial communications, but also balance high-speed passenger connectivity with efficient transmission of airline operational data, enhancing the industry’s operational efficiency and service quality. It lays a technical foundation for cutting-edge scenarios like future air-space integrated transportation and civil aviation unmanned aerial vehicle networking, serving as a key enabler to address civil aviation’s communication challenges and drive the industry’s upgrade toward greater safety, efficiency, and intelligence. Prospects With the continuous advancement of key technologies such as networking architecture design, mobility management, and resource management, the proposed solutions are expected to offer more efficient, stable, and intelligent communication support for the civil aviation industry. In the long term, such NTN-enabled communication frameworks will play an essential role in supporting the digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of civil aviation operations.
- Civil aviation,
- non-terrestrial networks,
- network slicing,
- mobility management,
- resource scheduling

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References(49)

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