SEVECODE – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications

Objectives

This activity has the main objective of developing a testbed that allows the demonstration of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) 5G applications with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and their integration with the existing 5G Terrestrial Network. In particular, the activity is aimed at demonstrating the end-to-end performances of an integrated TN/NTN 5G hybrid network for V2X services using existing space assets. The activity covers at least two 5G NTN V2X applications compliant with the 3GPP 5G NR, making use of satellite capacity available in FR1 or FR2. The testbed addresses both forward and return traffic, allowing to evaluate the applications KPIs and to demonstrate the TN/NTN service continuity when moving between coverage areas.

Challenges

The main challenges for the project are related to:

The availability of compatible spectrum in GEO and NGSO for the demonstrator
Achieving service continuity between Terrestrial Networks and Non-Terrestrial Networks with standard (or standardize-able) interfaces
Selection and adaptation of User Antennas to cover possible GEO and/or NGSO applications

System Architecture

The testbed consists of:

a terrestrial 5G Core and RAN
a non-terrestrial 5G Core and gNodeB based on Open-Air-Interface adapted to the project needs
a Gateway station (teleport) and a compatible satellite to complete the NTN RAN connectivity
a test vehicle equipped with the TN and NTN User Equipment and with the integrated application
the application server

Before the live demonstration the relevant units and interoperability tests are performed with a space segment emulator at Fraunhofer IIS’s test facilities in Erlangen.