Integrating HAPS, LEO, and Terrestrial Networks: A Cost-Performance Study for IoT Connectivity

2026-01-26

AI Summary

This work addresses connectivity challenges in Internet of Things (IoT) deployments under coverage-limited or emergency scenarios by proposing a hybrid architecture that integrates High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, and terrestrial networks. For the first time, it jointly models dynamic LEO orbits, HAPS placement, and realistic channel conditions within a unified framework, incorporating LR-FHSS (Long Range – Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) for random-access uplink communications. The study systematically evaluates transmission erasure probability, link budget constraints, and cost–performance trade-offs. Simulation results demonstrate that HAPS significantly enhances sparse terrestrial networks and improves overall satellite system performance. Although economic analysis reveals moderately higher CAPEX/OPEX compared to standalone alternatives, the architecture offers comparable cost-effectiveness in critical applications such as disaster response, underscoring its unique operational value.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Agent Architectures

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Cost models of using LLMs in production systems
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

This work evaluates the potential of High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites as alternative or complementary systems to enhance Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. We first analyze the transmission erasure probability under different connectivity configurations, including only HAPS or LEO satellites, as well as hybrid architectures that integrate both aerial/spatial and terrestrial infrastructures. To make the analysis more realistic, we considered movement of LEO satellites regarding a fixed region, elevation angle between gateway and devices, and different fading models for terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication. We also analyze LR-FHSS (Long-Range Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) random access uplink technology as a potential use case for IoT connectivity, showing the scalability impact of the scenarios. The simulation results demonstrate that HAPS can effectively complement sparse terrestrial networks and improve the performance of satellite-based systems in specific scenarios. Furthermore, considering the deployment and operational costs, respectively, CAPEX and OPEX, the economic analysis reveals that although HAPS exhibits higher costs, these remain within a comparable order of magnitude to LEO and terrestrial deployments. In addition, specific use cases, such as natural disasters, transform HAPS into a competitive technology for conventional infrastructures.

Problem

• HAPS
• LEO satellites
• IoT connectivity
• terrestrial networks
• cost-performance

Innovation

• HAPS
• LEO satellites
• LR-FHSS
• non-terrestrial networks
• IoT connectivity