A Disaster-Aware Integrated TN-NTN System-Level Simulator for Resilient 6G Wireless Networks

2026-05-07

AI Summary

This study addresses the urgent need to evaluate the post-disaster resilience of integrated terrestrial–non-terrestrial networks (T-NTN) in the face of extreme hazards that partially incapacitate ground infrastructure. The authors propose a lightweight system-level simulator that, for the first time, incorporates 3GPP Release 17/18 standards and supports probabilistic gNB failure modeling alongside service migration to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). The framework flexibly configures disaster severity and NTN deployment scale, integrating low Earth orbit satellites, high-altitude platforms, and unmanned aerial vehicles in accordance with 3GPP specifications. Key performance indicators—including throughput, packet reception ratio, and latency—are rigorously quantified. Experimental results validate the capacity–latency trade-off in purely terrestrial networks, demonstrate NTN service reliability, and reveal that T-NTN integration achieves more balanced resilience across diverse disaster scenarios and traffic loads.

Abstract

Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) have been standardized by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) as a key component of future 6G systems to enhance coverage and resilience. In particular, NTN technologies such as low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are expected to support terrestrial networks (TN) during extreme events and disasters. In this paper, we present a lightweight system-level simulator for evaluating post-failure fallback behavior in integrated TN-NTN wireless networks under a partial-failure disaster model. The simulator follows 3GPP Rel-17/18 modeling principles, supports probabilistic terrestrial next-generation node B (gNB) failures, and service migration to NTN. The simulator supports comparative analysis of throughput, packet reception ratio (PRR), and latency under different user loads, disaster severities, and NTN provisioning levels. Results show the expected capacity-delay tradeoff of terrestrial operation, the reliability and stability of non-terrestrial service, and the balanced resilience behavior of hybrid TN-NTN operation. The proposed framework provides a tractable tool for studying wireless network resilience and traffic management in future integrated 6G mobile systems.

Problem

• Disaster resilience
• Non-terrestrial networks
• 6G wireless networks
• System-level simulation
• Network failure

Innovation

• Disaster-aware simulation
• Integrated TN-NTN
• 6G resilience
• System-level simulator
• Non-terrestrial networks