Technology is constantly evolving, and with 3GPP introducing the Non-Terrestrial Network in the 5G standardization, users will experience true global coverage with your IoT service. With a standardized 5G satellite NB-IoT NTN solution from GateHouse, you get access to a proven solution based on open standards which can increase the market attractiveness.
The advantages of using a 5G solution is that it allows IoT terminals to roam between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. This enables you to offer full global seamless 5G connectivity IoT service even in the remote regions.
A 5G NB-IoT NTN software solution from GateHouse supports sensor monitoring and control, surveillance and autonomous equipment management in areas with limited or no terrestrial connectivity. With this solution you can deliver services to several different sectors, e.g. maritime, agricultural, critical infrastructure, or oil and gas industry which will benefit greatly from the solution.
The Satellite 5G NB-IoT NTN from GateHouse supports UE fitting onto chipsets and enables chipset and terminal manufacturers to sustain competitiveness. It is a standardized and cost-efficient solution in compliance with open standards that increases opportunities.
The solution from Gatehouse consists of two main elements:
Currently, the standardization activities in 3GPP is ongoing heading towards Rel-17 study phase. Release of Rel-17 is expected in 2022.
Rel-17 is expected to mainly focus on transparent mode and the Regenerative mode will be introduced in Rel-18 (2024). The UE matches the requirement expected for Rel-17, Rel-18 and onwards.
The gNodeB implementation can possibly be located with the ground station and interface the mobile core network to reflect the requirements from Rel-17, but will also match the requirement of Rel-18 and onwards.
The 5G solution is based on the 3GPP 5G NB-IoT NTN standardization (release 17). A standardized solution provides the advantages of seamless handover between systems and compliance with the global deployed mobile network infrastructure.
In general, the solution for the user terminals complies with the 3GPP 5G NB-IoT NTN standard (rel. 17) and supports multiple low cost and low power consumption HW configurations.
Additionally, the solution supporting 3GPP 5G NB-IoT NTN is available as a core IP prepared for integration on a purpose specific chipset (5G NB-IoT NTN chipset) and can potentially co-exist with terrestrial firmware to support dual-mode terminals.
Conceptually, the offered solutions ensure that data can be acquired from massive number of devices and distributed across the earth to a destination on ground for further distribution to the end user.
Enabling an existing NB-IoT protocol stack and physical layer for non-terrestrial operation may require significant effort. However, our analysis and implementation show the feasibility of adapting terrestrial NB-IoT for non-terrestrial usages onto existing chipset.
The most important adaptations required for obtaining non-terrestrial capabilities are linked to:
GateHouse has implemented a 3GPP NB-IoT UE stack including adaptations in Physical layer and protocol stack layers to enable NTN capability which can be adapted or integrated with existing NB-IoT chipset to obtain a multi-mode capable chipset.
With 3GPP standards for 5G for both terrestrial and satellite networks, connectivity will be accessible seamlessly worldwide. GateHouse has an extensive collaboration with the standard organizations 3GPP and ETSI, and we are experienced in handling innovative and advanced projects where we are required to go beyond standard solutions and hereby develop the solutions of the future.
Want more time to focus on your core development competencies? Using the already developed and proven standardized software components from GateHouse SatCom when developing a satellite-based communication service will free up time for you to focus your resources elsewhere.
IoT is the most prevailing trend in the satcom industry. The industry is still under rapid development, and more people are finding opportunities in the benefits that can come with the use of small satellites in LEO.