The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) provides an overview of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) as part of their initiative to integrate satellite communication with terrestrial networks. This integration aims to extend connectivity to remote and underserved areas, support maritime and aviation services, and enhance resilience and coverage in urban environments.
Key points about NTNs include:
- Integration with 5G: NTNs are being developed to seamlessly integrate with 5G networks, supporting a wide range of use cases, from consumer mobile broadband to machine-type communications.
- Standardisation: 3GPP has standardised NTNs in their Release 17, focusing on aspects like waveform, protocols, and architecture to ensure that satellite networks can interoperate with existing terrestrial mobile networks.
- Use Cases: The envisioned applications for NTNs include connecting remote areas, enhancing global broadband access, providing connectivity in disaster scenarios, and supporting IoT devices in locations without terrestrial coverage.
- Technical Challenges: Addressing latency, managing the Doppler effect due to satellite movement, and ensuring efficient use of spectrum are key technical challenges that the 3GPP working groups are tackling.
- Collaborative Effort: The development of NTNs is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including satellite operators, network vendors, and service providers, to create a cohesive and comprehensive standard.
For more details and to read the whole article, you can visit the 3GPP official page on NTNs here.
