Heterogeneous Space and Terrestrial Integrated Networks for IoT: Architecture and Challenges

The number of IoT devices has been growing significantly, and mobile network traffic is also increasing explosively. In order to meet the human desire to explore unknown areas, edgeless communications have always been one of the directions for the development of wireless networks. H-STIN is a promising solution to face the problem of large bandwidth requirement, massive machine type communication, and edgeless communication requirements. However, it is difficult to integrate communication protocols, routing problems, and resource allocation in the large-scale and heterogeneous network architecture. Therefore, this article proposes a potential H-STIN architecture based on the development trends of the Internet of Things, mobile networks, and satellite networks. Since TN has adequate computation resource and routing architecture, the backbone network is given to support an entire network, and AS is adopted to achieve regional self-optimization. The SSTIS is composed of the perception layer, the cognition layer, and the intelligence layer. It integrates IoT, SDN, and network functions virtualization technologies to achieve self-monitoring, crisis forecasting, and optimal control. Finally, the promising technical challenge, including integrated route planning and large-scale resource allocation, is given.