Non-Terrestrial IoT Networks: Architectures, Applications, and Future Challenges

The rapid evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving the need for innovative communication frameworks that extend beyond terrestrial boundaries. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs)—comprising satellite constellations, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and emerging deep-space communication technologies—offer transformative potential for developing resilient, scalable, and pervasive IoT ecosystems. These advanced infrastructures facilitate global connectivity, enhance ubiquitous sensing, and support mission-critical applications in domains such as remote monitoring, disaster response, environmental sensing, precision agriculture, and smart city systems.

As the demand for global-scale connectivity and real-time sensing continues to escalate, Non-Terrestrial IoT (NT-IoT) networks present viable solutions to overcome the inherent coverage, reliability, and performance limitations of terrestrial-only systems. However, critical challenges such as seamless network integration, spectrum efficiency, network security, and resource management remain pivotal research areas, necessitating innovative approaches and cutting-edge technologies to ensure the robustness and efficiency of NT-IoT systems.

The goal of this Research Topic is to advance the state of the art in NT-IoT networks by exploring innovative architectures, real-world applications, and emerging challenges. While traditional IoT networks often encounter limitations in coverage, scalability, and resilience, NT-IoT solutions—leveraging LEO satellites, UAV-based sensing, and HAPS—offer transformative opportunities to enhance global connectivity and enable ubiquitous sensing across diverse environments.

This Research Topic aims to address critical research challenges such as seamless network integration, efficient resource allocation, latency management, security enhancement, and energy efficiency in NT-IoT environments. By gathering contributions that cover theoretical advancements, practical implementations, and case studies, this Research Topic will present novel approaches and technical solutions that effectively bridge the gap between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

This Research Topic invites high-quality contributions focusing on:

• NT-IoT Architectures and Protocols: Innovations in network architectures, routing protocols, and AI-driven optimizations tailored for non-terrestrial IoT systems.
• Communication and Connectivity: Approaches for spectrum allocation, multi-access strategies, delay-tolerant networking, and interoperability between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
• Edge Intelligence for NT-IoT: Machine learning and edge computing techniques for real-time data processing and decision-making in NTNs.
• Security and Privacy: Research on cybersecurity challenges, encryption mechanisms, blockchain applications, and privacy-preserving techniques for NT-IoT.

• Applications and Case Studies: Real-world deployments and innovative use cases in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster response, space exploration, and maritime IoT.
• Standardization and Future Trends: Analysis of standardization efforts, 6G advancements, AI-enabled NTN-IoT systems, and policy frameworks supporting global IoT connectivity.

We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, system implementations, and technical case studies that contribute to the advancement of NT-IoT networks.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Non-Terrestrial Networks, Internet of Things, IoT Networks, Aerial Access Networks, Intelligent Networks, 6G

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.