W11 – Emerging LEO Satellite Constellation Communication and Network Technologies for 6G Ubiquitous Connectivity

Co-organizer: Zhen Gao, Beijing Institute of Technology, China
Co-organizer: De Mi, Birmingham City University, U.K.
Co-organizer: Li Qiao, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Co-organizer: Ziwei Wan, University of Surrey, UK

Technical Program Chair:
Xu Xia, China Telecom Research Institute, China

Industry Liaison Chair:
Jintao Zhang, Marinesat Network Technology Co., Ltd., China

Patronage Chair:
Chen Lu, Xi’jing University, China

Publicity Chair:
Kun Qiu, Fudan University, China

 

Abstract: The Special Session on LEO Satellite Constellation Communication and Network Technologies for 6G Ubiquitous Connectivity explores the transformative potential of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations in achieving the ambitious goals of 6G connectivity. As endorsed by ITU-R, 6G aims to deliver ultra-reliable, low-latency, and globally accessible communication, a leap forward from the fifth generation (5G) that primarily focuses on enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC). LEO satellites, with their low latency, global coverage, and high-density service capabilities, present a promising solution to bridge the digital divide, especially in underserved regions. They also enable critical real-time applications, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), autonomous mobility, and industrial IoT. This workshop brings together researchers and industry experts to address key technical challenges such as seamless handover management, frequency optimization, interference control, and AI-driven network orchestration. The event will feature a keynote by Prof. Kaibin Huang, IEEE Fellow and NAI Fellow, on the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and LEO satellite networks, highlighting how AI-driven optimization and fluid AI can enhance the management of these dynamic systems. The session will also include technical sessions with oral presentations of selected papers and a panel discussion with leaders from industry, including Jintao Zhang (MarineSAT), Qingsong (Hansoon) Han (TrainFX), Radu Lupoaie (Keysight), and Yue Wang (China Telecom). The session aims to foster collaboration and innovation in the design of LEO-based systems for the next generation of communication technologies.

Co-organizer’s Bios:

Zhen Gao:

Zhen Gao (Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree in communication and signal processing from the Department of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University, China, in 2016. He is currently a tenure-track Associate Professor with the Beijing Institute of Technology. His research interests are in wireless communications, with a focus on multi-carrier modulations, multiple antenna systems, and sparse signal processing. He was a recipient of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society 2016 Scott Helt Memorial Award (Best Paper), the Exemplary Reviewer of IEEE COMMUNICATION LETTERS in 2016, IET Electronics Letters Premium Award (Best Paper) 2016, UCET 2020 Best Paper Award, IEEE/CIC ICCC 2021 Best Paper Award, IEEE IWCMC 2022 Best Paper Award, and also the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program (2018–2020) from China Association for Science and Technology, Elsevier 2020, 2021, and 2022 MOST Cited Chinese Researchers, First Prize in Chinese Institute of Electronics Technical Invention Award 2021 and 2022, and Beijing Science and Technology Rising Star 2022. He currently serves as an Editor for IEEE Transactions Vehicular Technology, IEEE Communications Letters, IEEE Systems Journal, and Frontiers in Communications and Networks.

De Mi:

De Mi (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Surrey, U.K., in 2017. He is currently an Associate Professor in future communication systems and the Head of the Future Information Networks (FINET) Research Cluster at Birmingham City University. He has also been a visiting professor at various universities and institutes, e.g., Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology and Zhengzhou University, China. His research interests and expertise span a range of areas in wireless communications and signal processing, including B5G/6G radio access techniques, hypercomplex signal processing, next-generation broadcast and multicast communications and future open networks. He has served as an Editor of IEEE/ CIC China Communications, and a Guest Editor of IEEE Network, Springer Nature Complex & Intelligent Systems, IEEE/KICS Journal of Communications and Networks and Space: Science & Technology (Science Partner Journal). He has also served as publicity chair, session/track chair and workshop chair for a number of international conferences, e.g., GLOBECOM, ICC, ICCC, ICRA, IJCNN, WCCI, ICIT, VTC etc. He was the recipient of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society 2020 Scott Helt Memorial Award and IEEE Best Conference Paper awards in UCET 2020, Blockchain/ BSS 2023, IECON 2023 and Ucom 2024.

Li Qiao:

Li Qiao (IEEE Member) received his Ph.D. degree from Beijing Institute of Technology, China. He is currently a research fellow at The University of Hong Kong, SAR, China. He held research appointments at the 5GIC/6GIC Centre, University of Surrey and the Intelligent Processing Centre (IPC) Laboratory, Imperial College London, where he was engaged in collaborative research on next generation wireless systems. His research interests include token communications, generative semantic communications, and federated edge intelligence. He has served as Workshop Co-Chair for several international conferences, including IEEE GLOBECOM 2024, IEEE WCNC 2024, IWCMC ICCC 2024, and IWCMC/ICCC 2025, and as Workshop TPC Co-Chair for ICCC 2023 and IEEE INFOCOM 2025. He is the recipient of Best Paper Awards at IWCMC 2022 and the IEEE INFOCOM Workshop 2025.

Ziwei Wan:

Dr. Ziwei Wan (IEEE Member) is a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey, UK. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the School of Information and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, China, in 2018 and 2025, respectively. His research focuses on novel hardware architectures and advanced physical-layer algorithms for next-generation wireless communication systems, with particular emphasis on high-efficiency signal processing and adaptive PHY techniques for emerging mobile networks including 5G Advance and 6G. Dr. Wan has contributed to highly-cited research in areas such as channel estimation and intelligent communication for mmWave and massive MIMO systems, demonstrating his commitment to advancing practical and scalable solutions for high-capacity, low-latency wireless networks. His work bridges theoretical innovation with real-world system design, making him a strong contributor to research on LEO satellite communications and integrated space-air-ground networks.

Paper submission deadline Extended: 8 February 2026
Acceptance notification: 18 March 2026
Final paper submission deadline Extended: 7 April 2026

Submission requirements: 5-page paper (without overlength charge) and up to 2 additional pages are allowed with the purchase of additional page charges in the amount of $100 USD per additional page at the time of registration and final paper submission.

Paper submission can be located here: https://vtc2026s-rr-wks.trackchair.com/