07 November 2023

AccelerComm, Radisys Corporation, RFDSP, and TTP are jointly formulating a high-performance Regenerative 5G RAN reference solution and architecture based on 3GPP for deployment on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

The partnership proposes a 5G regenerative gNodeB solution that will support high-performance 5G services in the challenging environment of a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

In a typical LEO deployment, a constellation of fast-moving satellites covers a wide geographical area using many beams per satellite to cover subscribers. The 5G Regenerative NTN solution includes Option-2 split gNB with a distributed unit (DU) on the satellite payload with a ground-based centralized unit (CU) and 5GC. The solution handles unique regenerative NTN-specific requirements of extremely high mobility with frequency re-association between the DU, GW and CU serving a region and large-sized cells spanning multiple countries requiring country-specific CN routing.

The joint LEO Regenerative reference solution will meet the growing demand for satellite-based eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband) and IoT services. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses and organizations that need to connect people and devices in remote locations, or for governments looking to provide internet access to all citizens. The solution will support many beams and high subscriber density and will be delivered on a space-hardened platform optimised for low power and size. It includes a range of advanced developments in the areas of beam-to-cell mapping, beam forming, NTN beam management and well-defined interfaces to satcom infrastructure.