Assure 5G NTN Performance Before Launch

In the complex and quickly evolving 5G NTN landscape, simulating, emulating, and evaluating RF systems boosts mission success.

Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) promise to finally eliminate coverage gaps across the globe. Beyond commercial applications, these fifth generation (5G) cellular networks create new use cases for critical communications and military operations. For such applications to effectively serve these mission-critical areas, however, their performance must be assured. With RF system measurement science, 5G NTN equipment developers, integrators, and network operators can reduce the time needed to create and deploy networks, using virtual engineering for first-pass success when committing to physical gear. Simulation and emulation support NTN exploration and testing, verifying current performance while supporting next-generation evolutions.

5G NTN draws many features from 5G terrestrial networks and faces many of the same challenges. Immediately apparent are the enormous data rate and reliability expectations for 5G NTN service compared to earlier satellite-communications (SatCom) networks. Delivering the required volumes of data demands the leveraging of 5G signaling fundamentals. Carrier frequencies are in the millimeter-wave range and modulation is more complex. Higher bandwidths are available, although NTN also supports lower-bandwidth applicat ions like narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT).