A Novel Beam-Based Positioning Paradigm Via Opportunistic Signal of Future Massive MIMO LEO Satellite Constellations

Abstract

Mega constellations of low Earth orbit satellites are expected to communicate through massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) channels. This paper proposes a novel positioning paradigm that utilizes the mMIMO communication as signal-of-opportunity. By identifying beams during the signaling phase of transmission and by having open access satellite information datasets, the receiver will become capable of solving its position geometrically. We investigated the method's accuracy in simulation, and the first results encourage to study the topic further. In the subsequent research, theoretical studies, more accurate simulation models, and more sophisticated positioning algorithms are to be studied in order to enrich this new localization methodology.