backup
Communication networks that don’t exclusively rely on conventional terrestrial infrastructure, like fiber optic cables or cellular towers situated on land, are referred to as non-terrestrial networks, or NTNs. Rather, NTN uses a range of non-terrestrial platforms and technologies to offer connectivity.
Underwater Communication Networks:
Another type of non-terrestrial connectivity, although not always covered by the term NTN, are underwater communication networks. Applications like offshore energy operations, underwater surveillance, and oceanographic research are made use of these networks.
High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs):
HAPs are platforms, like stratospheric balloons or solar-powered drones, that float at high altitudes within the Earth’s atmosphere. They can function as wireless communication and internet access relay stations.
Hybrid Approaches:
To increase network coverage and dependability, some NTN solutions combine multiple technologies, such as a combination of satellites and high-altitude platforms.
Satellite Networks:
Satellite communication is one of the most widely used NTN types. Remote and underserved areas can benefit from broadband internet access, telecommunication services, and data connectivity offered by satellites in lower Earth orbit (LEO) or geostationary orbit.
Aerial Platforms:
Some NTN solutions, particularly in disaster-affected areas or during events where traditional infrastructure is insufficient, use drones or other aerial vehicles outfitted with communication equipment to create temporary communication networks.
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) have a number of advantages for a range of industries and applications. These are a few of the main advantages of NTN:
Disaster Resilience:
In times of emergency or natural disaster when terrestrial networks may be compromised or overloaded, NTN provides an essential backup communication option. By doing this, it is made sure that crucial services and communication are available when they are most needed.
Increased Coverage:
Where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is either nonexistent or prohibitively expensive, NTN expands network coverage to underserved and remote areas. This provides connectivity to remote and rural areas, thereby aiding in the closing of the digital divide.
IoT Enablement:
By offering connectivity for remote asset, infrastructure, and environmental condition monitoring, NTN supports Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It is best suited for IoT applications that require little data exchange and low power consumption.
Worldwide Connectivity:
Satellite-based NTN offers worldwide coverage, which makes it perfect for applications like global supply chain tracking and the maritime and aviation industries that need connectivity over large, remote areas.
Broadcasting and Multicast:
Satellite-based NTN is useful for providing dependable information to big audiences because it is excellent at transmitting data and content over large geographic areas. Applications like emergency alerts and mobile gaming benefit from this capability.
Global Roaming:
Applications that need constant communication while transferring between various modes of transportation, like tracking containers from ships to trucks, can be seamlessly connected thanks to NTN.
Low-Power IoT Support:
Because NTN is designed for low-power communication, it can be used with IoT devices in battery-powered or remote applications where energy conservation is crucial.
Network Capacity Offload:
NTN can assist in offloading traffic from terrestrial networks in densely populated urban areas, thereby reducing congestion and enhancing network performance overall.
Enhanced Mobile Edge Computing:
By offering distributed computing and content delivery capabilities in far-flung and varied geographic locations, NTN can support 5G mobile edge applications.
Versatility:
NTN solutions can be implemented using satellites, drones, high-altitude platforms, underwater communication networks, and other different platforms. NTN’s adaptability to different industries and use cases is facilitated by its versatility.
Cost-Effective:
It might not be financially feasible to construct and maintain conventional terrestrial networks in some circumstances. NTN can provide more reasonably priced connectivity options, particularly in sparsely populated areas.
Future-proofing:
NTN offers a scalable way to increase network capacity and coverage without exclusively depending on terrestrial infrastructure, in response to the ever-increasing demand for data and connectivity.
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have a number of benefits, but they also have drawbacks and difficulties. The following are a few possible drawbacks of 5G NTNs:
Antenna technology:
With efforts to minimize size and investigate electronic direction adjustment while taking cost constraints into consideration, antenna technology is essential for communication in non-terrestrial networks.
Latency:
When compared to terrestrial networks, satellite-based NTN systems may have higher latency. Real-time applications like online gaming and video conferencing may be impacted by this latency.
Restricted Spectrum:
The frequency bands that satellites and other NTN platforms operate in are allotted, and there is a limited amount of spectrum available. Spectrum congestion may become a problem as more services and applications use NTN.
High Initial Deployment Costs:
Establishing high-altitude platforms or developing and launching satellites can be costly. For NTN, the initial infrastructure investment may be high.
Regulatory Obstacles:
Coordinating with regulatory agencies and abiding by international accords are frequently necessary for the operation of NTNs. It can be difficult to navigate complicated regulatory environments.
Weather and Environmental Factors:
Unfavorable weather conditions, like intense rain or atmospheric interference, can interfere with satellite communication by disrupting signals and lowering dependability.
Space Debris and Saturation:
Satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO) may be a factor in the expanding space debris issue. The proliferation of satellites from various providers in low Earth orbit (LEO) raises questions regarding space sustainability and collisions.
Difficulties with Deployment and Maintenance:
It can be difficult to maintain and service satellite and aerial platforms, particularly in isolated or inaccessible locations.
Space Debris and Saturation:
Satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO) may be a factor in the expanding space debris issue. The proliferation of satellites from various providers in low Earth orbit (LEO) raises questions regarding space sustainability and collisions.
Weather and Environmental Factors:
Unfavorable weather conditions, like intense rain or atmospheric interference, can interfere with satellite communication by disrupting signals and lowering dependability.
Signal Interference:
Communication disruptions may occur when signals from NTNs interfere with one another or with terrestrial networks.
Security and privacy issues:
Information sent through satellite or other NTN technologies may be susceptible to hacking or other forms of interception. One of the most important things to worry about is communication security and privacy.
Complex Handover:
Transitioning between different types of networks can cause service interruptions, as seamless handovers between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can be technically complex.
Limited Bandwidth per User:
Even with technological advancements, satellite networks might still only have a certain amount of bandwidth available for each user. This could lead to slower data speeds when demand is particularly high.
Energy Consumption:
The high energy requirements of certain NTN platforms, like drones and high-altitude balloons, may restrict their operational duration or raise their costs.
The following elements are frequently found in a non-terrestrial network
GEO Satellite Coverage:
Using one or more sat-gateways, GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) satellites can cover a large area, ranging from a region to a continent. A single satellite gateway normally serves the user equipment in each cell, guaranteeing effective connectivity.
Sat-Gateways:
These are crucial elements that serve as communication gateways and link the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) with open data networks.
Non-GEO Satellite Mobility:
Various satellite gateways serve non-GEO satellites in succession. As the satellite moves between these gateways, this system is made to ensure that feeder links and services remain uninterrupted. As a result, mobility anchoring and handover procedures can run smoothly. Service discontinuity is another option that can be used.
Service Links:
These radio links create channels of communication between the satellite and the user equipment (UE), allowing users in the designated service area to connect and transfer data.
Feeder Links:
These links are the radio connections that allow data and signals to be sent back and forth between the satellites and the satellite gateways.
Transparent Payload Features:
Important parts of the transparent payload are signal amplification, frequency conversion, and radio frequency filtering. Through the course of the communication process, these features guarantee that the waveform signal repeated by the payload does not change, maintaining signal integrity.
Satellite Payload:
Over a predetermined service area, several beams are produced by satellites with a transparent payload. The coverage area is determined by the satellite’s field of view, and for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, this can take the form of earth-moving beams or earth-fixed beams. Depending on the minimum elevation angle and onboard antenna design, the beam footprints are usually elliptical in shape.
User Equipment (UE):
The satellite provides service to mobile devices and communication terminals within the targeted service area. Users can now access the network and take advantage of the NTN system’s connectivity services thanks to this.
High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), which are situated at a height of 20 km, are included in the category of airborne Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) platforms. These platforms are typically positioned at altitudes of 8 to 50 km.
Since the orbits of LEO and MEO satellites have periods ranging from 1.5 to 10 hours, which are shorter than the Earth’s rotation time, they are classified as Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellites.
The objective of the continuous progress in Rel-17 NTN and satellite work items within Technical Specification Groups (TSG) RAN and TSG SA is to incorporate satellite capabilities into 3GPP technical specifications.
During the June 3GPP Rel-18 workshop, ESOA members and other Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) stakeholders started a conversation about future plans for the NTN. They are currently working on further enhancements for NTN and IoT-NTN, which will be considered for Rel-18.
There are numerous beneficial use cases for non-terrestrial networks (NTN) in a variety of sectors and applications. Here are a few well-known NTN use cases:
Agriculture:
NTN provides IoT applications for precision agriculture, which monitors crops, weather, and equipment across large agricultural regions.
Low-Power IoT:
NTN is well-suited for remote sensor deployments and environmental monitoring since it is designed for low-power IoT devices and applications.
Rural Connectivity:
In remote and underserved rural areas with limited access to terrestrial infrastructure, NTN can help close the digital divide by offering internet and communication services.
Maritime and Aviation Communication:
In isolated or oceanic areas with limited terrestrial coverage, NTN provides constant connectivity for ships, airplanes, and maritime and aviation operations.
IoT and Asset Tracking:
NTN makes asset tracking and monitoring easier for a range of industries, such as shipping, transportation, and logistics, where having constant worldwide coverage is crucial.
Worldwide Supply Chain:
NTN ensures supply chain visibility and security by assisting with global tracking and tracing of goods.
Broadcasting and Content Delivery:
NTN offers effective content distribution across wide geographic regions for wide-area broadcasting, such as emergency alerts or mobile gaming.
Disaster Response:
In times of emergency or natural disaster, when terrestrial networks may be compromised, NTN guarantees vital communication, supporting search and rescue efforts and giving vital information to impacted communities.
Global Roaming:
To support international logistics and transportation, applications such as container tracking and tracing require seamless connectivity across satellite and terrestrial networks.
Edge Computing:
By offering distributed computing and content delivery capabilities across a range of geographic locations, NTN can support 5G mobile edge applications.
Future-Proofing:
NTN provides a scalable way to increase network coverage and capacity as the demand for data and connectivity keeps rising.
Cost-Effective Connectivity:
NTN can provide more reasonably priced connectivity options in low-density areas where the construction and upkeep of traditional terrestrial networks is expensive.
Offloading Terrestrial Networks:
By offloading traffic from terrestrial networks, NTN can reduce congestion in densely populated urban areas and enhance network performance overall.
Mining and Energy Sector:
NTN provides real-time monitoring, automation, and communication in difficult environments for remote mining and energy operations.
Transparent payload
As the link between Earth and the satellite network for communication, the satellite is essential to signal regeneration.
Satellite operating bands
SIB 19 Role in NTN:
System Information Block 19 (SIB 19) remains important in the context of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), particularly in satellite-based communication systems. Although SIB 19’s primary function in terrestrial networks is still the same, it plays a few distinct roles in NTN.
Information for Cell Re-selection:
SIB 19 in NTN gives user equipment (UE) vital information about nearby cells or satellite gateways. Similar to its function in terrestrial networks, this data helps UEs decide which satellite or gateway to connect to.
Selecting a Satellite or Gateway:
SIB 19 assists UEs in selecting the best satellite or gateway in NTN, where they may have several options depending on factors like signal strength, quality, and other network-related data.
Seamless Handovers:
SIB 19 helps ensure smooth handovers for mobile users in NTN by giving information about nearby cells or gateways and their suitability for handover. This is especially helpful for users moving across different satellite beams or gateways.
Resource Allocation:
Information about the distribution and administration of resources within the NTN may also be found in SIB 19. UEs can improve their connectivity and grasp the resources that are available with the aid of this data.
Network Efficiency:
SIB 19 enhances the overall performance and efficiency of the NTN by giving UEs precise and current information about the state of the network, including the satellites and gateways that are available.
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) represent cutting-edge innovations in telecommunications, promising to revolutionize connectivity on a global scale. NTNs leverage satellite, airborne, or stratospheric platforms to extend coverage to areas where traditional terrestrial networks face limitations, such as remote regions or during disasters. These networks offer high-speed internet access and communication services, bridging the digital divide and providing essential connectivity to underserved communities. Dynamic spectrum sharing, on the other hand, is a pioneering approach to efficiently utilize radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources. By dynamically allocating spectrum bands based on demand, this technology optimizes spectrum usage and enhances the efficiency of wireless networks, enabling better coexistence among different services and users. Together, NTNs and dynamic spectrum sharing hold the potential to unlock new possibilities in global connectivity, empowering individuals and businesses alike with seamless, reliable communication services.
