Dynamic LEO Satellite Communication Systems for 6G Networks: A Survey of Modeling Techniques and Performance Evaluation

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems are emerging as a fundamental component of future sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication networks due to their capability to provide global connectivity, reduced latency, high throughput, and seamless broadband communication services. The integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) with terrestrial communication infrastructures enables reliable communication in remote, rural, maritime, and disaster-affected regions where conventional terrestrial networks are insufficient. This survey paper presented a comprehensive review of LEO satellite communication systems for 6G networks with emphasis on system architecture, Doppler effects, mobility management, handover mechanisms, NTN integration, and performance evaluation metrics. Various research contributions related to Doppler-aware channel modeling, intelligent handover optimization, AI-enabled communication frameworks, beamforming techniques, and satellite-terrestrial integrated architectures were analyzed and comparatively discussed. Important performance parameters including latency, throughput, Doppler frequency shift, handover delay, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and spectral efficiency were also reviewed for evaluating communication reliability and network performance. The literature analysis indicates that although significant advancements have been achieved in LEO satellite communication technologies, several challenges still remain unresolved. High Doppler frequency shifts, frequent handovers, dynamic channel variations, synchronization issues, interference management, and computational complexity continue to affect communication performance in highly dynamic satellite environments. Furthermore, existing AI-based optimization approaches often require high computational resources and extensive training datasets, limiting their real-time implementation capability. This research also highlighted the growing importance of MATLAB-based simulation frameworks for modeling orbital dynamics, mobility management, Doppler compensation, and communication performance analysis in realistic LEO satellite environments. Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Software-Defined Networking (SDN), edge computing, and adaptive beamforming are expected to play crucial roles in improving the efficiency and scalability of future NTN-enabled 6G communication systems. Overall, LEO satellite communication systems have the potential to revolutionize next-generation wireless communication by enabling intelligent, reliable, and globally accessible broadband connectivity. Future research should focus on developing low-complexity adaptive Doppler compensation techniques, intelligent mobility management algorithms, energy-efficient communication architectures, real-time NTN simulation platforms, and efficient spectrum-sharing mechanisms for large-scale deployment of integrated 6G satellite-terrestrial communication networks.

[1]     W. Saad, M. Bennis, and M. Chen, “A Vision of 6G Wireless Systems: Applications, Trends, Technologies, and Open Research Problems,” IEEE Network, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 134–142, May/Jun. 2020. [2]     Y. Liu et al., “Non-Terrestrial Networks: A New Paradigm for 6G Communications,” IEEE Network, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 30–36, Nov./Dec. 2022. [3]      E. Lagunas, S. Chatzinotas, and B. Ottersten, “Low-Earth Orbit Satellite Constellations for Global Communication Network Connectivity,” Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering, vol. 1, pp. 656–665, 2024. [4]     A. Ramírez-Arroyo et al., “Towards Reliable Connectivity: Measurement-Driven Assessment of Starlink and OneWeb Non-Terrestrial and 5G Terrestrial Networks,” arXiv preprint, 2025. [5]     M. Handley, “Delay is Not an Option: Low Latency Routing in Space,” in Proc. ACM HotNets, 2018, pp. 85–91. [6]     B. Di et al., “Ultra-Dense LEO: Integration of Satellite Access Networks into 5G and Beyond,” IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 62–69, Apr. 2019. [7]     W. Zhang, “Two-ray Channel Models with Doppler Effects for LEO Satellite Communications,” ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 243–259, 2024. [8]     X. Lin et al., “The Sky is Not the Limit: LTE for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,” IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 204–210, Apr. 2018. [9]     T. Pratt, C. Bostian, and J. Allnutt, Satellite Communications, 2nd ed. New York, NY, USA: Wiley, 2003. [10]    “Inter-beam Handover Schemes for LEO Satellites in 5G Satellite–Terrestrial Integrated Networks,” Physical Communication, vol. 67, 2024.