Satellite-to-cellphone technology continues to progress. The latest news on that front comes from satellite communications developer ST Engineering iDirect and Capgemini, who are developing a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) satellite base station.
NTNs extend cellular communications using space-based assets — primarily low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Consumer satellite-to-cellphone services aimed at providing emergency connectivity in remote areas have been a key focus for companies like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
ST Engineering iDirect and Capgemini, however, are pursuing the enterprise market. The goal is to supplement traditional terrestrial wireless connectivity with satellite-based service to support more scalable and reliable connectivity, an ST Engineering iDirect spokesperson said.
NTN satellite communications
In an email response to questions from Telecompetitor, Shravan Gaddam — vice president and senior engineering fellow for ST Engineering iDirect — explained how iDirect and Capgemini are pursuing two different 5G NTN base station options.
One path is based on native 3GPP architecture. The other is not.
“It is possible to offer NTN connectivity without deploying dedicated native 3GPP architecture,” Gaddam explained. “This is achieved through non-3GPP access methods, which allow satellite networks to connect to the 5G core. Non-3GPP access leverages existing satellite communication architectures and waveforms [that enable satellite operators to continue] to use their current satellite-specific infrastructure.”
The other approach — based on 3GPP standards — will be optimized for satellite connectivity, Gaddam said. The new 5G satellite base stations will use 5G New Radio (5G NR) and connect directly to the 5G core.
Both approaches, he said, will enable seamless interoperability with terrestrial 5G networks. Key goals are to support higher-capacity satellite links and improved spectral efficiency.
In a prepared statement, Nicholas Rousseau, Capgemini chief digital engineering and manufacturing officer, said, “By uniting ST Engineering iDirect’s satellite expertise with our 5G software leadership and global engineering reach, we are helping to accelerate the adoption of standards-based NTN solutions. Together, we are building the foundation for truly ubiquitous connectivity that empowers operators and enterprises across the world.”
Updated with additional technical details about the two approaches to NTN satellite base stations
