Rate-Splitting Multiple Access for Hierarchical HAP-LAP Networks Under Limited Fronthaul

In this correspondence, we propose hierarchical high-altitude platform (HAP)-low-altitude platform (LAP) networks with the aim of maximizing the sum-rate of ground user equipments (UEs). The multiple aerial radio units mounted on HAPs and LAPs are managed by the central unit (CU) via constrained fronthaul links. The limitation of fronthaul capacity can be addressed through quantization, employing the network multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) architecture. For spectral efficiency, we adopt the rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA), leveraging the advantages of both space-division multiple access (SDMA) and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). To achieve this, we jointly optimize multiple-antenna rate-splitting transmission, fronthaul quantization design and UAV placement using an alternating optimization (AO) approach coupled with successive convex approximation (SCA) and the weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) method. Numerical results validate the superior performance of the proposed method compared to benchmark schemes, including partial optimizations or those without the assistance of LAPs.