The immense advantages of extraterrestrial networks are examined by Dylan McGrath, an industry solutions marketer at Keysight Technologies, along with how they can influence future seamless global communication.
Non-Terrestrial Networks, which expand the reach of 5G into areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure, constitute a fascinating new area in communications. To guarantee coverage and dependability in almost every situation, NTNs utilize both satellites and high-altitude platforms including balloons, airships, and pilotless aerial vehicles in the stratosphere. NTNs are becoming more economically feasible thanks to falling prices and increased capabilities in terrestrial 5G, ushering in a new age of truly global connection and a space-based IoT that will fundamentally alter how we think about communication.
NTNs are acknowledged as a component of the 5G connection infrastructure by the 3GPP 5G specifications. The ability for customers to connect through both terrestrial and satellite links, with the former handling low-latency traffic and satellites being reserved for high-latency traffic, is one of the network’s main advantages. There are a ton of intriguing use cases to investigate here.
Improvements to terrestrial networks
Cellular coverage gaps will be filled by 5G non-terrestrial networks, enabling operators to improve it without increasing expenses.
Additionally, NTNs will improve network availability and reduce outages by strengthening network resilience. They will also make it possible for operators to rapidly resume service in disaster-affected regions. Additionally, they may be utilized to dynamically improve coverage in response to shifting conditions. Consider a Premier League match on a normal terrestrial network: the high volume of fans posting and streaming causes data throughput and connection to degrade.
However, with NTNs, drones might be used as hovering base stations above the stadium to strengthen connectivity and increase bandwidth momentarily, resulting in a glitch-free experience for the whole game.
Non-Terrestrial Networks Can Provide Connectivity On A Global Scale.
NTNs will enable worldwide broadband access as they develop, even in remote areas.
Consider isolated areas of the world like sections of Canada or Tibet, where building ground infrastructure to enable terrestrial connection is either not physically possible or not economically practical.
This will change when non-terrestrial networks offer dependable, high-speed coverage in even the most remote locations. Some suppliers have already released products that offer SOS texting, allowing a stranded hiker in a distant mountain range to call for assistance via their smartphone.
This will become widespread thanks to NTNs, which will also solve the connectivity problems that sailing, camping, mountain climbing, and other outdoor hobbies in remote locations present. Aside from other industries operating in distant areas, the aerospace and defense industries will also be significantly impacted by this.
Monitoring A Pipeline Remotely
For applications that need real-time data processing, such as remote monitoring, surveillance, and autonomous vehicles (AVs), the high-speed data transmission capabilities of 5G NTN, with rates of up to 20 Gbps, are a considerable advantage.
In the latter sector, non-terrestrial networks can support terrestrial networks and guarantee vehicle safety during traffic jams, power outages, and in places with inadequate connection. As the technology develops, it will also be possible for businesses operating in distant areas without terrestrial connectivity, such as offshore oil platforms, to keep a closer eye on operations and equipment.
Intelligence In Images
An outstanding illustration of this knowledge may be found in the Ukraine War, when the military equipment Russia gathered in preparation for their invasion was initially shown by satellite photographs. This intelligence will be a crucial tool in upcoming military engagements, as well as for monitoring pandemics, global warming, and other major occurrences.
Objections To Innovation
As with any new technology, the industry must first overcome several obstacles before realizing these and other 5G non-terrestrial network potential. Among these are design factors.
In order to prevent problems, the design procedure must take into consideration the fact that NTN connection distances are significantly greater than those of terrestrial networks. One crucial step is the introduction of a fast memory in which the signal is written and then read out at two distinct speeds. This takes care of the high Doppler frequency and propagation delay problems that NTNs have.
Another issue is where and how to process data. Most often, the specific use case and final objective will dictate this. In order to enable edge computing of the data via the satellite for companies like the military, it may be preferable to create a satellite with a massive computer, extended battery life, and a large solar array.
As in the Ukraine case mentioned above, this would allow divisions to detect changes in civilian movement patterns or weaponry configuration that may indicate an impending enemy approach. In other circumstances, it could be preferable to transmit data to the ground for processing, necessitating the availability of the bandwidth required for the transmission.
Last but not least, NTNs have the potential to completely replace the outdated proprietary network and operator systems with universal service. Network operators and satellite providers must cooperate together, exchange expertise, and devise innovative ways to deliver services to end consumers in order to realize this objective.
NTNs still have a ways to go before they can truly live up to their potential, but it’s closer than you would think. Smart businesses should be getting ready to take advantage of NTNs and all the opportunities that come with a genuinely connected world as we work to make seamless global connection a reality.