GEO 5G NB-IoT & NR NTN

Seize the opportunity to create a 5G Narrow Band Internet of Things or New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network service with Geostationary satellite operators.
For long, we have been further developing the NB-IoT solutions and in 2021, we started working with GEO solutions for New Radio as well.

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5G NB-IoT NTN service with GEO satellite operators

Let us present: 5G NB-IoT for GEO! GateHouse SatCom looks into the possibilities of making a 5G NB-IoT NTN service with GEO satellite operators.

Some of the benefits:

High-volume terminal market
Low-cost chipsets equal easy access for terminal manufacturers
Available for end-users directly through a GEO satellite operator or MNO (Mobile Network Operator)
Hybrid TN and NTN systems
MNOs are expected to drive growth in the market by extending coverage through satellite connections – 3GPP standardization will ensure compatibility of the chipsets
Reuse GEO satellite operator’s existing satellites

GEO 5G NB-IoT TN/NTN Network overview

Technology is constantly evolving. 3GPP is introducing the Non-Terrestrial Network in the 5G standardization which will lead to true global coverage for IoT devices as the standardization will ensure compatibility of the chipsets.

Multiple simulations on GEO systems and analyses have proven that technology from mobile networks works over GEO satellites with little or no modification and will provide a cost-effective path to hybrid, dual-mode global NB-IoT coverage.

3GPP collaboration

GateHouse is a full member of 3GPP, and we actively contribute to 3GPP’s standardization for non-terrestrial networks with the aim of establishing 5G standards towards new use cases and services for satellite communication networks. We are very committed to the standardization work; we are expert advisors using our knowledge of satellite communication to contribute to form the standard.

We have been working with feasibility studies for various GEO solutions, and for long, we have been further developing the NB-IoT solutions, and in 2021, we started developing GEO solutions for New Radio as well.

Pre-assessment

Value:

Make sure to only invest resources for technology which fits your system

Goal:

Verify viability to support 5G services

What:

Preliminary analysis of individual system parameters to estimate link budget & feasibility of satellite payload configuration

Feasibility study

Value:

Choose best network option & have data for establishing 5G business case & commercial viability

Goal:

Understand how to enable 5G services with system set-up & its performance trade offs

What:

Detailed simulation of link performance & analysis of system capacity & satellite payload configuration trade-offs for diff. scenarios

Pilot project

Value:

Confirm business case & network performance w/o investing in full commercial system

Goal:

Demonstrate service link with network emulator

What:

Define test cases, timeline & integration into existing system infrastructure applying system test emulator based on results/conclusion of feasibility study

Commercial

The project enters the commercial phase with a wide usage
Commercial waveforms for non-GEO & GEO satellite systems
Backhauling available

Until the beginning of 2024, the UE will be based on 3GPP Release 17, and thereafter on Release 18.
Rel. 17 (transparent mode) av. mid-2022
Rel. 18 (regenerative mode) av. mid-2024

GEO satellite with 100 active channels

Assuming that the total capacity of the satellite is used only for NB-IoT, there will be 345 M transactions per satellite per day:

40 small transactions per second per channel (100 bit)
100 active channels

=> 40*3600*24*100 ~ 345 M transactions per day per satellite
(GateHouse estimate based on specs for one GEO satellite on the L/S-Band, one channel at a time)
Equals 69% of the estimated market in year 2030.

Tech specs

A series of comprehensive studies carried out by GateHouse indicate that the link budget is reasonable and that it is realistic to move further with the project on 5G NB-IoT for geostationary (GEO) satellites.

Realistic?

Multiple simulations on GEO systems and analyses indicate that the project is realistic
Take into account that more satellites are needed to cover all areas.

Requirements to realization

Requires smart control of beams and carriers to utilize resources and optimize service (eNodeB)
Requires scalable NodeB tailored satellite system

Perspective

3GPP air interface and protocols can be enhanced to utilize resources efficiently for Inmarsat satellites – and also for devices (e.g. lower power consumption)
Terrestrial network (TN) chipsets can be reused and work in dual-mode
Can integrate with Satellite Operator Core network or other MNOs
Expansion options towards other 5G waveforms e.g. LTE-M and New Radio
Current estimates suggest a price of 1 EUR per device per month equals 345/4 = 86 M devices connects 4 times per day, equals a yearly ARR of 1 BEUR.
TAM estimated at 6 BEUR (1EUR/device/month*12 months *500 M devices = 6 BEUR)
(Ericsson mobility report & NSR predicts a market of 500 M devices)

Feasibility study:

Simulation examples

A comprehensive MATLAB simulation environment has been built to facilitate NB-IoT system design and feasibility analyses.
Below, you find examples of the different simulations that GateHouse can help generate in order to determine whether your system is suitable for 5G applications.

Data rate (kbps) for single-tone 180 kHz transmissions in a range of Carrier-to-Noise (CNR) levels.

Data rate (kbps) for single-tone 3.75 kHz transmissions in a range of Carrier-to-Noise (CNR) levels.

Supported number of UE/s going through the entire messaging sequence of RA, scheduling request and data transmission.

Get in touch

If you find this interesting, please do not hesitate to get in touch to learn more about how GateHouse can help you build a model of your system based on your data.