Semantics-Aware Unified Terrestrial Non-Terrestrial 6G Networks

The integration of Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks (TN-NTNs), which was introduced in 5G, is progressing toward a unified and seamless network of networks in Sixth-Generation (6G). This evolution leads to a significant increase in the volume of generated and communicated data, imposing technical and operational requirements accompanied by a higher cost and energy consumption. Efficiently managing the generation and transmission of data in these highly complex unified networks has become essential. In this article, we investigate the semantics-aware information handling problem within unified TN-NTNs, where data communication between the distant TN nodes is enabled via an NTN. To this end, an Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring system is employed, where status updates from a remote IoT device are communicated to a destination monitor via a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. We leverage semantic metrics that capture the timeliness, relevance, and utility of information to provide the most informative data for timely and informed decision-making and eventually reduce the volume of transmitted and processed data. The outcome is significantly lower energy consumption, memory, control, and processing requirements (up to 73% lower energy charging demands compared to the state-of-the-art), all without compromising the conveyed information.