Fairness-Aware Throughput Optimization in Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication Networks Using a 3D Spherical Coordinate System

In this article, we study the optimization problem in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network scenarios. We present a 3D model of the LEO satellite utilizing a spherical coordinate system, allowing us to determine a practical elevation angle for the ground-to-satellite channel model. Our objective is to maximize the minimum average throughput by formulating an optimization problem that considers the association between the ground terminal (GT) and LEO satellite, as well as the transmit power of the GT. To address this problem, we propose an iterative algorithm that combines the block coordinate descent method with the successive convex approximation algorithm. Simulation results corroborate that our proposed optimal method achieves a substantial throughput gain of up to 59.63 % compared to conventional methods, while ensuring fairness. Additionally, we present two significant findings: 1) the efficiency of our method is demonstrated through Top-view 2D (and 3D) snapshots, showcasing the optimal decisions made, and 2) the impact of key parameters such as the number of resource blocks, interference, and network density on the network performance.