PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
GADGET Project has the objective to design and implement two User Equipment (UE) and one gNodeB compliant with the 5G release 16 or above to demonstrate the direct access to non-terrestrial-network (NTN) based on a satellite access. These equipment will be integrated in an end-to-end demonstration configuration based on and emulated and live satellite access. This last is represented by the actual access to Athena/Fidus GEO satellite.
In the development of the UEs and the gNodeB, more attention is on the protocol stack implementation in line with the foreseen 5G standard release and starting as base point from an Open-Source software environment. In the implementation of the E2E demonstrator also the simulator of the Core Network will be implemented to perform the foreseen performance and operative tests.
Challenges
The challenge of the activity is twofold: the development of actual gNB and UE both compliant with the 5G standard and based on New Radio supporting the NTN access actually interfaced with a satellite access node. This last is able to emulate the satellite channel access presenting all the impairments typically experienced by the satellite users.
System Architecture
The architecture is defined below.
- Two UEs, one nomadic and one fixed, can establish bidirectional connections with a gNB through a satellite transponder.
- The testbed includes both access and non-access stratum capabilities.
- The testbed allows analysis of E2E performances through predefined sensible KPIs.
The figure shows the system architecture based off the 5G basic blocks. A GUI for monitoring the KPI has been added to the system allowing:
- Configuration of the main functionalities that impact the NTN performances.
- Monitoring and reporting of the KPIs of interest.
- Traffic generation, to emulate the traffic generated by the applications.
The overall network architecture, the protocol stack, the QoS traffic management and the UE/Satellite characteristics are referenced from 3GPP standards, according with the scenario defined in the statement of work.
Plan
The Project is organised in two phases:
- Phase 1 – 6 months;
- Phase 2 – 18 months.
The Project Milestones are as follows:
- Phase 1
- Select Platform Baseline – May 2021
- Finalise Technical Specification – June 2021
- Preliminary Design Review (PDR) – September 2021
- Phase 2
- Critical Design Review (CDR) – April 2022
- Qualification Review – January 2023
- Final Review – March 2023
Current Status
The project kick-off has been in March 2021.
The study is currently underway: the HW and SW have been defined and suitable issues have been identified and addressed starting the design phase activity for the delivery of the first deliverables.
