Satellite and Terrestrial

Network for 5G

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Edge delivery & offl oadfor multimedia content and NFV

software

The SaT5G Project

5G Fixed Backhaul 5G to Premises 5G Moving Platform Backhaul

The introduction and global roll out of enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services within 5G raises coverage, resilience and network dimensioning issues across underserved and unserved areas, especially in low average revenue per user (ARPU) regions of emerging markets, and on moving platforms like aircrafts and vessels. Satcom systems are the leading economic solution to address these scenarios provided that they are seamlessly integrated into the 5G architecture. Optimum efficiency is achieved via technology commonalities between 5G terrestrial and satellite networks such as Software Defi ned Networking (SDN), Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) and Management and Orchestration techniques.

SaT5G has integrated satcom into 5G by defining optimal satellite-based backhaul and traffic offloading solutions so that satellite communications is a “plug and play” solution that can be easily deployed. The project has researched and developed the required 5G technology “building blocks” in order to exploit the best value of satcom capabilities (e.g. multicast for content and Virtualised Network Function (VNF) delivery), mitigate latency constraints and enable the targeted markets to be addressed. It has identified novel business models and economically viable operational collaborations that integrate the satellite and terrestrial stakeholders in a win-win situation. A key feature of SaT5G is the validation of satellite integration in three 5G network testbeds to verify the technology developed, followed by demonstrations over both Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) in-orbit satellite capacity.

SaT5G has made significant contributions through our consortium partners to the standardisation effort initiated in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the European elecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) for satcom integration into 5G through our consortium partners

Use Cases

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The project vision was to develop a cost effective “plug and play” satcom solution for 5G to enable telcos and network vendors to accelerate 5G deployment across all geographies and multiple use cases whilst at the same time create new and growing market opportunities for satcom industry stakeholders. This vision has largely been fulfilled.

The six principal project objectives, which have all been met, were to:

1. Leverage relevant on-going 5G and satellite research activities to assess and defi ne optimum solutions for integrating satellite into the 5Gnetwork architecture;

2. Develop the commercial value propositions for satellite based network solutions for 5G;3. Defi ne and develop key technical enablers such as network softwarisation and management and orchestration techniques for the identifi ed

research challenges;4. Validate key technical enablers in a lab test environment;5. Demonstrate selected features and use cases;6. Contribute to the standardisation at ETSI and 3GPP of the features enabling the integration of satcom solutions in 5G.

To fulfi l its objectives, SaT5G focussed upon on six areas of in depth research and prototype development:

• Implementation of 5G Software-Defi ned Networking (SDN) & Network FunctionsVirtualisation (NFV) in Satellite Networks;

• Integrated Network Management and Orchestration;• Multilink and Heterogeneous Transport Optimisation;• Harmonisation of Satcom with 5G Control and User Planes;• Extension of 5G Security to Satellites;• Caching and Multicast for Optimised Content and VNF Distribution.

In addition, the project addressed the following global issues cutting across the research pillars:

• Satellite integration in to 5G and the resulting impacts on business and operations models;• Validation and demonstration of the key prototypes developed in integrated testbeds;• Inclusion of satellite into 3GPP and ETSI standards to ensure satcom is an intrinsic part of

5G.

Project Objectives

Research Pillars

To find out more information visit www.sat5g-project.eu or contact us at info@sat5g-project.eu.

The SaT5G project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreementNo 761413.

Airbuswww.airbus.com

Avanti Communicationswww.avantiplc.com

Broadpeakwww.broadpeak.tv

BTwww.btplc.com

Gilat Satellite Networkswww.gilat.com

i2CATwww.i2cat.net/en

Imecwww.imec-int.com

Ekinopswww.ekinops.com/

Quortuswww.quortus.com

SESwww.ses.com

Thales Alenia Spacewww.thalesgroup.com

TNOwww.tno.nl/en

University of Surreywww.surrey.ac.uk

University of Ouluwww.oulu.fi/university

ST Engineeringwww.stengg.com

Zodiac Aerospacewww.zodiacaerospace.com/en

Partners

Contact Details