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SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

D6.1

Roadmap to Satellite into 5G

Topic H2020-ICT-07-2017

Project Title Satellite and Terrestrial Network for 5G

Project Number 761413

Project Acronym SaT5G

Contractual Delivery Date 30 November 2019 (M30)

Actual Delivery Date 31 January 2020 (M32)

Contributing WP WP6.1

Project Start Date 01/06/2017

Project Duration 33 months

Dissemination Level PU

Editor GLT

Contributors AVA, UoS, SES, ADS, BT

Satellite and Terrestrial

Network for 5G

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Contributors

Name Organisation Contributions include

Avi Gal GLT

Main Editor. Review of the entire document, contributions to section 2 and 6.

Boaz Rein GLT Input in all sections (Former Editor)

Raz Ben-Haim GLT Input in all sections (Former Editor)

Eyal Cohen GLT Section 5

Boris Tiomela Jou ADS Section 2

Oriol Vidal ADS Section 2

Simon Watts Avanti Inputs to various sections, review and finalisation

Salva Diazsendra BT Draft ToC Reviewed

Konstantinos Liolis SES

Draft ToC Reviewed (WP6 Leader), Inputs to Sections 2.5 and 6.5, review and finalisation

Christos Politis SES Inputs to Section 2.5

Michael Fitch UoS Inputs to all sections, review and finalisation

Barry Evans UoS Red Team Review

Document History

Version Date Modifications Source

0.01 14/11/17 First draft created using project document template GLT

0.02 15/11/2017 Draft ToC Reviewed SES

0.03 17/11/2017 Draft ToC Updated GLT

0.04 20/11/2017 Draft ToC Updated BT, GLT

0.05 20/11/2017 Draft ToC Updated SES

0.06 11/12/2017 Draft ToC Updated GLT

0.1 25/03/2018 Updated Exec. Summary and skeleton GLT

0.2 1/4/2019 Updated Responsibilities GLT

“1.0” 24/6/2019 New clean baseline GLT, SES, UoS

“2.0” 15/11/2019 DRAFT with assignments to partners GLT

“2.1” 15/11/2019 Revised Section 2.5 and Updated Section 7.5 SES

0.3 29/11/2019 Modified sections to synchronise the content and identify missing content

GLT

0.4 8/12/2019 For final review and approval GLT

0.5 11/12/2019 Document review, cross-references in Sections 2.5 & 6.5 modified

SES

0.6 12/12/2019 All sections modified AVA, UoS, SES, ADS, GLT

>> 19/01/2020 Major tidying GLT

>> 31/01/2020 Further editing, review and document finalization AVA, UoS, SES

01.00 31/01/2020 Version issued for delivery to European Commission AVA

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Table of Contents

List of Figures ................................................................................................................................... 6

List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... 7

List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................................... 8

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 10

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 11

1.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 11

1.2 Document structure ........................................................................................................... 12

2 Key Technologies .................................................................................................................. 13

2.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 13

2.2 Implementation of 5G SDN and NFV across satellite networks ....................................... 17

Objective ................................................................................................................... 17

Technology Development within SaT5G Timeframe ................................................ 17

Technology Development beyond SaT5G Timeframe .............................................. 18

2.3 Integrated Network Management & Orchestration ............................................................ 18

Objective ................................................................................................................... 18



2.4 Multi-link and Heterogeneous Transport ........................................................................... 21

Objective ................................................................................................................... 21



2.5 Harmonisation of SatCom with 5G Control and User Plane ............................................. 23

Objective ................................................................................................................... 23



2.6 Extending 5G Security to Satellite..................................................................................... 26

Objective ................................................................................................................... 26



2.7 Caching and Multicast for content and VNF distribution ................................................... 27

Objective ................................................................................................................... 27



2.8 Other Technologies ........................................................................................................... 30

3 Future SatCom trends and integration .................................................................................. 31

3.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 31

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3.2 Satellite system evolution and need for integration .......................................................... 31

3.3 Future Integration .............................................................................................................. 34

4 Stakeholders and Associated Bodies for Roadmap Execution ............................................. 35

4.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 35

4.2 Standardisation fora .......................................................................................................... 35

4.3 Commercial organisations ................................................................................................. 36

4.4 Research organisations .................................................................................................... 38

4.5 Coordination groups .......................................................................................................... 38

5 Suggested Roadmap ............................................................................................................ 40

5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 40

5.2 Implementation of 5G SDN and NFV across Satellite Networks ...................................... 40

Suggested Roadmap ................................................................................................ 40

Main Stakeholders..................................................................................................... 42

5.3 Integrated Network Management & Orchestration ............................................................ 42



5.4 Multi-link and Heterogeneous Transport ........................................................................... 43



5.5 Harmonisation of SatCom with 5G Control and User Plane ............................................. 43



5.6 Extending 5G Security to Satellite..................................................................................... 46



5.7 Caching and Multicast for content and VNF distribution ................................................... 47



6 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 49

7 References ............................................................................................................................ 50

Appendix A: Roadmap for Other Technologies .............................................................................. 52

A.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 52

A1.1 Dynamic Resource Allocation ................................................................................... 52

A1.2 Beam Hopping ........................................................................................................... 53

A1.3 Direct Radiating Arrays (DRA) .................................................................................. 53

A1.4 Deep Learning ........................................................................................................... 53

A1.5 Optical Communications ........................................................................................... 53

A1.6 MEC .......................................................................................................................... 53

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A1.7 On-Board Processing (OBP) ..................................................................................... 53

A1.8 Inter Satellite Links (ISLs) ......................................................................................... 53

A1.9 Software Defined Satellites ....................................................................................... 54

A1.10 Electronically Steerable Antennas ............................................................................ 54

A1.11 HAPS ......................................................................................................................... 54

A1.12 NGSO Constellations ................................................................................................ 54

A1.13 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) .............................................................................. 55

A1.14 Beyond 5G (B5G) ...................................................................................................... 55

A2 Roadmap ........................................................................................................................... 55

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List of Figures

FIGURE 2-1: REFERENCE SAT5G BACKHAUL ARCHITECTURE ................................................... 13

FIGURE 2-2: INDIRECT MIXED 3GPP NTN ACCESS WITH TRANSPARENT SATELLITE

(SOURCE: [ETSI TR 103 611]) ..................................................................................................... 14

FIGURE 2-3: SAT5G RESEARCH PILLARS........................................................................................ 15

FIGURE 3-1. PREDICTED COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE SERVICES MARKET OVER NEXT 20

YEARS (SOURCE: [MORGAN STANLEY]) .................................................................................. 32

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List of Tables

TABLE 2-1: REASEARCH PILLARS LOCATION IN THE ARCHITECTURE ...................................... 14

TABLE 2-2: MAPPING OF RESEARCH PILLARS TO SAT5G USE-CASES ...................................... 15

TABLE 2-3: RESEARCH PILLARS OUTCOMES ................................................................................. 16

TABLE 3-1: SELECTED SUCCESS CRITERIA FOR SATELLITE INTEGRATION INTO 5G ............ 34

TABLE 4-1: SDOS ................................................................................................................................ 35

TABLE 4-2: INSIGHT IN TO COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS AND THEIR MOTIVATIONS .......... 36

TABLE 4-3: GROUPS PROVIDING COORDINATION BETWEEN ORGANISATIONS ...................... 38

TABLE 5-1: DEFINITION OF TRLS ...................................................................................................... 40

TABLE 5-2: TRL OF KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN 5G SDN AND NFV ACROSS SATELLITE

NETWORKS .................................................................................................................................. 41

TABLE 5-3: TRL OF KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN INTEGRATED NETWORK MANAGEMENT &

ORCHESTRATION ........................................................................................................................ 42

TABLE 5-4: TRL OF KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN MULTI-LINK AND HETEROGENEOUS TRANSPORT

....................................................................................................................................................... 43

TABLE 5-5: TRL OF KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN HARMONIZATION OF SATCOM WITH 5G

CONTROL AND USER PLANE ..................................................................................................... 44

TABLE 5-6: TRL OF KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN EXTENDING 5G SECURITY TO SATCOM ............. 46

TABLE 5-7: TRL OF KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN CACHING AND MULTICAST FOR CONTENT AND

VNF DISTRIBUTION ..................................................................................................................... 47

TABLE A-1 : TRL FOR OTHER TECHNOLOGIES (BEYOND SAT5G SCOPE) ................................. 55

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List of Acronyms

Acronym Explanation

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

5G PPP 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership

API Application Programming Interface

BSS Business Support System

CDN Content Delivery Network

CN Core Network

DM Domain Manager

EM Element Management

EMS Element Management System

ETSI European Telecommunication Standardization Institute

FCC Federal Communications Commission

GEO Geo stationary Orbit

HAPS High Altitude Platforms/High Altitude Pseudo Satellite

HTS High Throughput Satellite

ICT Information and Communications Technology

IoT Internet of Things

ITU International Telecommunication Union

LCM Life Cycle Management

LEO Low Earth Orbit

LSO Lifecycle Service Orchestration

LTE Long-Term Evolution

MANO Management and Orchestration

MC Mission Critical

MEC Mobile Edge Compute / Multi technology

MEO Medium Earth Orbit

MTC Machine-Type of Communication

NBI Northbound Interface

NE Network Element

NFV Network Function Virtualization

NFVI Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure

NFVO Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator

NS Network Service

NSD Network Service Descriptor

NSI Network Slice Instance

NSST Network Slice Subnet Template

ONAP Open Network Automation Platform

OSM Open Source MANO

OSS Operations Support System

OTA Over The Air

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Acronym Explanation

QKD Quantum Key Distribution

QoS Quality of Service

RAN Radio Access Network

RP Research Pillar

SatCom Satellite Communications

SaT5G Satellite and Terrestrial Network for 5G

SDN Software Defined Networking

TALENT Terrestrial Satellite Resource Coordinator

TN Transport Network

TRL Technology Readiness Level

V2X Vehicle-to-everything

VIM Virtualized Infrastructure Manager

VM Virtual Machine

VNF Virtual Network Function

VNFD Virtual Network Function Descriptor

VNFM Virtual Network Function Manager

XHTS Extreme High Throughput Satellites

ZII Zodiac Inflight Innovations

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Executive Summary

The present document D6.1 “Roadmap to Satellite into 5G” provides a roadmap of the

activities performed in the SaT5G project, as well as future suggested roadmaps, expanding

beyond the project coverage and duration.

The objective of the roadmap is to ensure successful integration of the SaT5G architecture

into the 5G landscape, by providing feasible short, mid and long-term goals.

It is based on the project’s key findings, developments and validated outputs as well as specific

scenarios that were identified in the SaT5G project that contribute to social objectives, backed

by business rational for integration of satellite communication and 5G.

The roadmap defines the development roadmap for the promising technologies evaluated

within the project and categorizes by the identified technology pillars.

On top of the technologies defined in the technology pillars, the document suggests several

other relevant technologies that should be researched and developed in order to best meet

and exploit the satellite communication benefits for the future satellite connections, specifically

related to 5G and beyond.

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1 Introduction

1.1 Scope

This document describes the roadmap plans of the SaT5G project as well as beyond the

SaT5G project scope to ensure that satellite network infrastructure and advanced satellite

network services will take an active part in the 5G network infrastructure deployments. It is

foreseen that satellite communication can contribute to the societal challenges and improve

the 5G deployments and performance.

5G networks are being deployed worldwide based on demand and specific use cases Parallel

to this deployment, satellite network infrastructure and advance network services are evolving

quickly. While the satellites important key capabilities make it a natural extension to existing

terrestrial infrastructures today, its role is expected to grow significantly in the near and far

future.

The following satellite abilities are being leveraged:

Ubiquity: Satellite provides high speed capacity across the globe using the following enablers:

Capacity in-fill inside geographic gaps

Overspill to satellite when terrestrial links are in a state of over capacity

General global coverage, backup / resilience for network fall-back and especially

communication during temporary events and emergency situations.

Mobility: Satellite is an excellent and well proven technology, capable of providing

connectivity anywhere on the ground, in sea or air for moving platforms, such as airplanes,

ships and trains.

Broadcast (Simultaneity): Satellite can efficiently deliver rich multimedia and other content

across multiple sites simultaneously using broadcast and multicast streams with information

centric networking and content caching for local distribution.

Security & Resilience: Satellite networks can provide efficient solutions for secure, highly

reliable, rapid and resilient deployment in challenging communication scenarios, such as

emergency response, natural disasters, thus providing the world with a better and more

resilient communication network.Thanks to recent, ongoing and foreseen evolutions in satellite

communication technologies, it is expected that satellite communication is destined to provide

significantly higher levels of service, compared to the services that are currently offered, at a

fraction of the associated cost.

Satellite communication capacity is bound to grow significantly. It is foreseen that satellite

communication will take part in the deployment of the 5G around the world and that the

abundance of capacity will unlock new markets. Satellite communication is being used as

backhauling for LTE in rural areas as well as in developed countries, in different scenarios

where it is more feasible and economical to utilise it. This project has identified several

scenarios where satellite communication can play a significant role. In order to take advantage

of the satellite communication and to have a positive synergy between the technologies, there

is a need to identify the required research and developments that will ensure an effective

integration between satellite and terrestrial technologies.

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The SaT5G project identified key technology pillars researched and developed within the

project. These pillars are:

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) & Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV),

Interconnecting with existing Network Management systems and Orchestrators,

Coexisting and efficiently optimizing multilink network options in heterogeneous

environments,

Maintain and enforce end to end network services to support control and user Plane

traffic,

Maintain and enforce existing 5G security rules over satellite,

Inherently support caching and multicast services for optimised content and VNF

distribution.

The roadmap document follows the SaT5G technology pillars and suggests a separate

roadmap for each pillar, while defining the priorities and time frame for each of the technology

pillars. The document deals with three-time frames: short, medium and long.

The short term technologies are technologies that are in high Technology Readiness Level

(TRL) and can be implemented within the next 24 months.

For the medium-term period, this roadmap outlines mainly technologies that can be exploited

in the 5 years following the SaT5G project conclusion.

For the long-term period, this roadmap outlines potential or actual assimilation activities into

5G deployments that will exist in the future (within the next 10 years) and that will incorporate

satellite networks and advanced satellite network services together with existing terrestrial

infrastructure. The long-term roadmap includes the foreseen evolution and revolution that the

satellite communication is expecting including software defined satellites, virtual functions,

cloud-based functionalities, OBP, ISL, virtualization, NGSO constellations, xHTS including

new capabilities, new frequency bands, New Radio, new modulations and optical

communication.

1.2 Document structure

The key technologies within the six research pillars that have been researched and validated

in SaT5G are summarised in chapter 2. The next chapter considers the future trends in

satellite communications.. Then in chapter 4 the various stakeholders are identified and

chapter 5 provides a roadmap for each of the six research pillars, along with the associated

TRLs for the identified technologies. Chapter 6 concludes the report.

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2 Key Technologies

2.1 Scope

This section describes the technologies that have been developed and demonstrated in

SaT5G, taking as a starting point the research pillars within the project. There are six such

research pillars, as follows:

1. Implementation of 5G SDN and NFV across satellite networks,

2. Integrated Network Management & Orchestration

3. Multi-link and Heterogeneous Transport

4. Harmonisation of SatCom with 5G Control and User Plane

5. Extending 5G Security to Satellite

6. Caching and Multicast for content and VNF distribution

This section summarises the details and information regarding each SaT5G research pillar,

including:

The rationale / objective for each research pillar,

The technology developments within the SaT5G timeframe,

The technology developments beyond the SaT5G timeframe.

More details are reported in SaT5G Deliverables D4.1 to D4.6 respectively [SaT5G D4.1] -

[SaT5G D4.6]). The technologies relate to one another and find their context in the SaT5G

architecture and in the use-cases. Two diagrams are used to set the context on architecture,

which are the SaT5G reference architecture for satellite in the backhaul as shown in Figure

2-1 and in Figure 2-2 the role of an orchestrator in interfacing to the integrated satellite /

terrestrial system.

Figure 2-1: Reference SaT5G Backhaul Architecture

The term “backhaul” describes a connection from a centralised site to a remote site, and is

potentially several km long. The strict meaning of backhaul in 3GPP is between a base-station

(xNB) and the CN, but this meaning becomes blurred when a part of the CN (such as

UPF/MEC) is deployed at the edge and as a result, the term “xhaul” is sometimes used.

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The SaT5G project also describes an architecture where the user UE has direct access to the

satellite. In this project we have focussed on non-terrestrial network (NTN) UEs for direct

access rather than portable UEs because the link budgets call for high transmission power

and high gain antennas that are currently not compatible with battery powered handheld

equipment. The indirect access architecture detailed in Figure 2-2 is analysed as being the

most interesting variant from the technical and business perspectives [ETSI TR 103 611].

Figure 2-2: Indirect Mixed 3GPP NTN Access with transparent satellite (Source: [ETSI TR

103 611])

Figure 2-2 shows how an orchestrator is used in combination with the network management

systems of the CNs, satellite network, terrestrial network and the RAN. The figure shows the

case where a satellite link is in the backhaul of a mobile network, and the mobile network

operator (MNO) and satellite network operator (SNO) have separate core networks (CN). The

orchestrator has the role of stitching together the end to end slices that pass through the

different network segments.

Table 2-1: Reasearch Pillars Location in the Architecture

Research Pillar

Architecture Location

RP I Satellite modem functions and traffic steering functions as VNFs in terminals or in CN)

RP II Satellite modem, terminal and on board network management systems integrated with orchestrator, and / or satellite orchestrator integrated with federated orchestrator

RP III Hybrid multiplay, traffic steering and satellite resource management

RP IV Use of 5G radio and hybrid 5G / DVB on satellite air interface, adaptation of 3GPP procedures

RP V Adapting existing 5G security architecture to satellite, end to end

RP VI Broadcasting and multicasting content including caching at network edge

Separated or merged Core Networks

UE gNB

NTN LT gNB

DNNTN

NT UEMixed 3GPP NTN Access

Network

Orchestrator / NMS

NTN Relay UE

RAN

5G CN5G CN

5G CNClasses of UE

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Figure 2-3: SaT5G Research Pillars

To set the context on use-cases, they have been mapped to the research pillars in SaT5G

Deliverable D2.1 and are repeated hereinafter for convenience [Liolis et al, IJSCN 2019].

Table 2-2: Mapping of research pillars to SaT5G use-cases

Research Pillar

SaT5G Use Case 1: Edge delivery &

offload for multimedia content

and MEC VNF software

SaT5G Use Case 2: 5G

Fixed backhaul

SaT5G Use Case 3: 5G to premises

SaT5G Use Case 4: 5G Moving

platform backhaul

RP I Virtualisation of satellite functional components and integration of the satellite transport link in the SDN/NFV architecture and support of network slicing feature

RP II

End-to-end service life cycle management and orchestration which includes virtual and physical IT and network resources1

Converged 5G-SatCom virtual and physical resource1 orchestration and service management

Flexible joint 5G-SatCom resource1 orchestration and service life cycle management

Mobility aware end-to-end service life cycle management and resource1 orchestration

1 In the SDN/NFV enabled SaT5G ecosystem, network slices are composed by a wide range of resources,

such as IT assets, bandwidth, etc.

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Research Pillar

SaT5G Use Case 1: Edge delivery &

offload for multimedia content

and MEC VNF software

SaT5G Use Case 2: 5G

Fixed backhaul

SaT5G Use Case 3: 5G to premises

SaT5G Use Case 4: 5G Moving

platform backhaul

RP III Traffic splitting between multicast and unicast flows

NG2 / NG3 protocol performance enhancement adapted to long latency link

Traffic splitting between network links with different characteristics for link aggregation

NG2 / NG3 protocol performance enhancement adapted to long latency link

RP IV Support of multicast traffic

Support of NG2/NG3 protocols

Support traffic splitting / link aggregation solutions

Support of NG2/NG3 dynamic relocation

RP V

Extension of the security architecture to broadcast component

Efficient key management and authentication over fixed satellite transport

Efficient key management and authentication over mobile satellite transport

RP VI

Efficient multimedia content/MEC NFV delivery over a dedicated satellite broadcast system

Efficient multimedia content/ MEC NFV delivery over multicast resources of a broadband satellite transport link

In line with the SaT5G DoW, the research pillar outcomes have notonly resulted in publications

and reports but had also led into technology prototypes that have been successfully integrated

into the demonstrations.

Table 2-3 below illustrates the level to which these were foreseen to be taken and the resulting

TRL progress during the project.

Table 2-3: Research pillars outcomes

Research Pillar Analysis Simulations Lab tests

Validation & Demo

TRL Progress

RP I: Implementing 5G SDN and NFV in satellite networks

2 to 6

RP II: Integrated network management and orchestration

- - 3 to 6

RP III: Multi-link and heterogeneous transport

3 to 6

RP IV: Harmonisation of satcom with 5G control and user planes

2 to 4

RP V: Extending 5G security to satellites

- - 1 to 3

RP VI: Caching & multicast for optimised content & NFV distribution

2 to 5

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2.2 Implementation of 5G SDN and NFV across satellite networks

Objective

SDN and NFV are fundamental technologies that allow network programmability, dynamic

allocation of resources, VF using COTS and cloud-based functionalities, thanks to separation

of the control plane and the data plane. When the operator wishes to add functionalities and/or

capabilities, this can be achieved in a plug and play fashion, similar to adding an App on a

mobile that also configures the entire network to serve it efficiently in seconds/minutes. This

can include adding functions/services/customers and/or service providers through a simple

human interface that will be achieved in minutes rather than in days or weeks as in current

networks. The SDN/NFV approach allows the operators or service providers to change the

nature of the network during its life cycle. Adding these capabilities to the satellite network will

allow smooth integration with the terrestrial infrastructure that will have similar capabilities.

Implementing the functionalities utilizing COTS equipment is a technology trend that

significantly decreases the CAPEX costs and increases the network functionality and

flexibility. This trend is already announced and partially implemented/demonstrated in the

satellite ground segment of the network. In addition, there are announcements by Eutelsat,

SES and others regarding plans to add software defined capabilities to the space segment as

well.

Having SDN/NFV capabilities in the entire Network (Terrestrial, Satellite (Ground and Space

segments)) allows network programmability across the whole network and easy interfacing

with other 5G network equipment.

SDN enables traffic steering and service chaining that allow the traffic to get the appropriate

treatment as required for each service/packets/customer/traffic etc.

SDN/NFV and its facilitation of network slicing reduces the time of adding services from days

to seconds/minutes. It also reduces the CAPEX, specifically for new deployable ground

segment, thus saving a significant percentage of the CAPEX cost.

VF may reside at different HW locations, in the Data Centres, in the MEC etc. and the specific

instant of the VF will be placed in the most appropriate location to serve as many

customers/traffic as required in the least price/cost per the HW required and/or the traffic cost

to steer the specific traffic to go through the required VF.

Technology Development within SaT5G Timeframe

We have demonstrated SDN capabilities in the Satellite network that can be orchestrated by

the common network Orchestrator within SaT5G. This means that the orchestrator holds the

ability to program the satellite network capabilities and behave according to the operator's

requirements and the network status. The testbeds have demonstrated the ability to control

and program the end to end network, Satellite and terrestrial, according to the operators’

needs and network or user status. One common orchestrator managed and controlled the

entire network, where the satellite link had pre-defined bandwidth and coverage.. In the future

it should be possible to involve the satellite resources such as bandwidth and coverage into

this as well. VF’s are functions that can operate on COTS equipment and/or reside and

operate on a private and/or public cloud. Several VF’s were demonstrated, controlled and

operated through the satellite MANO. Special VF’s were demonstrated running on the MEC

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that is located in the remote terminal. This architecture allows the operation of different VF’s

that can be uploaded during the life cycle of the network and operate dynamically as required.

SDN also allows traffic steering that ensures that the traffic will be steered through the right

path and thus will acquire the desired services.

Further details on the technology developments for this Research Pillar within the SaT5G

timeframe can be found in SaT5G Deliverable D4.1 [SaT5G D4.1].

Technology Development beyond SaT5G Timeframe

The SDN/NFV in satellite networks are quite new. The satellite networks follow the emerging

network technologies. The basic principles were suggested in previous programs and were

advanced, implemented and demonstrated via the SaT5G project.

In order to ease and get the most out of the Terrestrial and satellite communication integration

there are advantages to utilizing similar common architecture and even common VF’s. This

was already suggested and advanced via the project.

Future directions are:

Use VF Containers, elementary VF

More real time functions on the cloud (Private and/or Public)

Common VF serving the integrated network (Terrestrial and satellite)

The Orchestrator controls also the satellite resources

VF in the space segment. Facilitated by more software defined satellites.

Integration with the LSO architecture providing BSS functionalities throughout the life

cycle.

The suggested roadmap including the TRL levels and the expected time frame is summarised

in Section 5.

2.3 Integrated Network Management & Orchestration

Objective

The network operators expect agile service provisioning for new services, such as adding new

customers and/or managing and modifying the network performance, to be as easy as adding

a new app to the mobile network. This requires the ability to control and program the network

and all its elements (Core, Radio, Edge, Cloud etc.) by using an intuitive and easy to operate

tool/GUI. The tool will manage all the network elements, control its resources and program its

behaviour. The orchestrator will have the ability to “translate the network needs” that arrive

from the BSS/OSS into specific requirements from the different parts of the integrated network.

Each of the networks will have its own MANO, i.e. Sat MANO, that will program the satellite

network including all of its segments, Gateways, Data Centers (G/W, DC) etc., and in the

future the satellite space components.

By orchestrating the network capabilities from one centralized or ‘federated’ orchestrator, the

network programmability will be easier, flexible, manageable and most importantly optimal.

During the network lifecycle the service providers may modify and upgrade the network

functionalities/capabilities both easily and economically. This is a fundamental requirement for

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future networks. It also allows (assuming the network includes SDN/NFV capabilities as

described above), adding new services in seconds/minutes rather than weeks.

By introducing a common abstraction layer for the “North Bound” satellite MANO Interface,

the Orchestrator will have the capability to program the satellite network for each of the satellite

ground infrastructure networks that can support this common API. This will simplify the service

providers acting with different vendors.

By providing a tool that will allow the service providers to easily and automatically manage the

network including all of its elements (physical and virtual), the operators will save manpower,

time and cost and will gain flexibility and interoperability.


NFV MANO

NFV management and organization (MANO) is a WG of the ETSI ISG NFV in charge of

defining an ETSI framework for the management and orchestration of all resources in the

cloud. This includes computing, networking, storage, and virtual machine (VM) resources. It

is divided into three functional blocks:

NFV Orchestrator (NFVO),

VNF Manager (VNFM),

Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM).

Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM)

VIM manages NFVI resources in “one domain”. NFVI includes physical resources (server,

storage etc.), virtual resources (Virtual Machines) and software resources (hypervisor) in an

NFV environment. “One domain” implies that there may be multiple VIMs in an NFV

architecture, each managing its respective infrastructure domain / NFVI.

In summary, the VIM has the following responsibilities

Manages the life cycle of virtual resources in an NFVI domain. That is, it creates,

maintains and tears down virtual machines (VMs) from physical resources in an

NFVI domain,

Keeps inventory of virtual machines (VMs) associated with physical resources,

Performance and fault management of hardware, software and virtual resources,

Keeps north bound open application program interfaces (APIs) and thus exposes

physical and virtual resources to other management systems.

NFV Orchestrator (NFVO)

The orchestrator contains descriptor files for each of the VFs, and will invoke them onto the

VMs together with information to the SDN for connecting them together and to external

network connections, to create a specific service slice.

As there may be multiple VIMs managing respective NFVI domains, there is a potential

challenge regarding who manages/coordinates the resources from different VIMs, when there

are multiple VIMs in same or different Point of Presence (PoP).

Element Management System (EMS)

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The EMS is responsible for physical and virtual element management such as setting of

parameters and alarm thresholds and reporting. It is the lowest layer of an FCAPS (Fault,

Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security) operational support system (OSS).

The VNFM exposes its interface to the EMS in case an operator wishes to use single GUI for

all kind of FCAPS (virtual + functional).

OSS/BSS

The OSS/BSS includes a collection of systems/applications that a service provider uses to

operate its business. NFV is designed to work in coordination with OSS/BSS. In principle, it

would be possible to extend the functionalities of existing OSS/BSS to manage VNFs and

NFVI directly, but that may be a proprietary implementation of a vendor. As NFV is an open

platform, so managing NFV entities through open interfaces (as that in MANO) makes more

sense.




The following is list of roadmap suggestions for Integrated Network Management &

Orchestration:

Agree on an abstraction layer that will best describe the satellite communication

capabilities, performance and service options. This abstraction layer will allow the

upper tools like the orchestrator and life-cycle orchestration (LSO) to manage and

operate the satellite communication network elements without the need to “deeply”

understand the medium capabilities. The different elements will be managed and

orchestrated by the Satellite MANO,

Adapt and orchestrate the network utilizing the MEF LSO approach. This will allow

better orchestration and coordination with other technologies;

Consider the usage of the very advanced Orchestrators developed mainly for the

terrestrial networks,

Add the capability to manage and orchestrate the satellite segment as well as the

terrestrial. It is foreseen that the space segment will have SDN and NFV capabilities

and thus it is natural that the space segment will be orchestrated and managed by

similar tools. It is essential that the overall network will be managed and orchestrated

end to end,

Add AI capabilities to the MANO. This will improve the resource usage by prediction of

usage requirements,,

Add the NGSO constellations including MEO and LEO (and in the future vLEO) to the

network,

Adding the “multi-layer” approach. One network will include the terrestrial components,

GEO, MEO, LEO (vLEO) and HAPS layers and interconnection between them,

Manage and orchestrate common core machines that might reside on the best physical

location. This means that the satellite and/or terrestrial components will be located in

the optimized physical location.


in Section 5.

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2.4 Multi-link and Heterogeneous Transport

Objective

Multi-link means that at least one satellite path is in parallel with one or more other paths that

may be satellite or terrestrial, and heterogeneous means that the parallel paths are diverse in

character, for example having different QoS or latency characteristics.

The term ‘diverse’ can be applied both to content and to paths that the content takes. The

benefits of diversity are increased reliability and availability, which can also lead to reduced

cost or increased capacity, depending upon use-case.

The rationale of this key technology is to provide a boost in user experience of broadband

connections where multiple independent paths are available (for example satellite and

terrestrial), and the relevant use-case is use-case 3, 5G to premises, scenarios 3a and 3b

(multi-linking) as defined in table 2-2. The multi-link technologies that are advanced in the

project are:

MP-QUIC (Multipath Quick UDP Internet Connections) has been demonstrated using

policy based routing,

Layered video that is a novel development in this project. It builds upon H264 video

compression and coding to take advantage of multiple independent paths. A

description of QUIC is included for completeness.

MP-TCP where a proxy has been developed to enable operation using GTP, The proxy

intercepts the TCP traffic in a GTP tunnel and routes it over multiple paths using

various path selection algorithms (equal loading, preference to lowest latency, standby

etc.).

It is likely that the algorithms which manage the traffic loading on multi-link systems will make

choices based increasingly on cost rather than technical performance. The prospect of two-

way influence is interesting, where the multi-link protocols can influence network slice

selection and specification, as well as reacting to path or slice conditions.


QUIC

QUIC is a protocol that utilises multiple UDP sessions and works hand in hand with HTTP/2’s

multiple connections, so that different objects on a web-page can be sent on parallel PDU

sessions over different paths, such as terrestrial and satellite. QUIC operates at the application

layer, and builds a mechanism over UDP to guarantee the delivery of packets. The QUIC

protocol can open and negotiate all TLS parameters (HTTPs) in 1 or 2 packets, which

significantly speeds up the opening of the connection and initiation of data transmission.

QUIC has several advantages over using TCP. One is the avoidance of head-blocking due to

a single TCP session. The current version of HTTP (1.1) uses pipelining, where two or more

requests can be sent from the browser to the server without waiting for a response in between.

Although this can speed up the connection, the principle remains First In First Out, so that a

delay that occurs for any reason in one request-response cycle will block the following ones

in the pipeline. Other benefits are that the error control mechanism uses FEC rather than

kernel re-transmissions, and fast recovery from mobility switching that can include change of

IP address. If re-transmissions are needed, they are handled in the application space. The

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IETF is currently working through standardising QUIC, and it is already available on Google

Chrome browser. On the flipside, there are potential issues with QUIC, such as it using UDP

connectionless protocol. The issue here is that firewalls have problems allowing some UDP

sessions through but not others, and hence most perimeter protection firewalls play it safe and

block all UDP, which will then affect QUIC. One solution is to encapsulate the UDP in a tunnel

at both ends, but the efficacy of this for QUIC needs further study.

Relating QUIC to satellite links, the use of UDP is more straightforward than TCP in that any

latency on the satellite link will cause simple delay and avoid complications of using TCP PEPs

to prevent throughput reduction due to TCPs windowing and acknowledgement processes

(especially since PEPs have difficulty operating with IPSec). For this reason, QUIC is well

suited to satellite.

MP-TCP

Multi-path TCP is where a MP-TCP shim or proxy takes a single session and splits it into

multiple parallel paths, each of which must have its own PDU session and an IP path. A proxy

at the other end converts it to single session, and the proxies at either end take care of packet

ordering and any required decryption and encryption. Each TCP path has independent

windowing and acknowledgement protocols. Balancing across the multiple paths can be

customised, for example one path can be prioritised over another, all paths can be best effort,

or the load can be shared equally or unequally by setting parameters, for example 90% of the

traffic on one of two paths and 10% on the other. Dynamic sharing can also be employed, for

example on a packet by packet basis where each packet is sent down the path that has the

lowest congestion at that instant. In the SaT5G project we have developed an MP-TCP proxy

using VMs that is able to intercept TCP traffic inside a GPT tunnel, and split them across

multiple available links using MP-TCP and various path selection algorithms. The proxy

consists of two parts, one at the user side (Internet User Gateway) and the other at the network

side (Internet Network Gateway).




For MP-QUIC, the future suggested roadmap is maturing of MP-QUIC (current TRL is around

2 – 3) to overcome current difficulties with congestion control and encryption, and enhance

operation over multi-linking where more than two paths are available with at least one path

over satellite. The system architecture should be flexible enough to accommodate future

developments of application based multipath algorithms. Additionally, satellites are moving

towards software defined on-board processing that can improve the reliability and resilience

of the satellite paths, with cost optimisation.

For MP-TCP, this is already a mature technology (TRL = 5), and the roadmap is to operate

over multiple satellite paths perhaps using satellites in different orbits for increase in resilience

and throughput, with cost optimisation. With multiple satellites in layered orbits, and

processing ability within payloads, it will be technically feasible to operate MP-TCP proxies

on-board to achieve an optimal path pattern.


in Section 5.

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2.5 Harmonisation of SatCom with 5G Control and User Plane

Objective

The deepest integration is to apply 5G New Radio (NR) over satellite systems. However, 5G

NR was designed for terrestrial systems and therefore all satellite constraints have not been

taken into account. At the PHY and MAC layers, the large Doppler frequency shift and large

propagation delays observed in satellite systems form the basis of misalignment. The objective

of this research pillar is to investigate mainly a long term scenario of full re-use of 5G NR radio

protocols in future satcom systems. To this end, the following activities have been conducted

as part of investigations for this research pillar:

Identification of main satellite communication specific constraints, over the air (such as

propagation delay, propagation channel), both at receiver and transmitter sides, and

in the satellite payload, when integrating a space segment in a 5G system,

Research on issues, impacts and possible solutions on 5G NR PHY and MAC layer

features over future satcom systems (such as Random Access Process Analysis of

5G NR over Satellite Links, Synchronization Block Processing for 5G NR over Satellite

Links, 5G NR scheduling process and possible adaptations needed in satellite

communications, Adaptation of Physical layer procedures for 5G NR over Satellite,

Adaptation of MAC/RLC procedures for 5G NR over Satellite, Adaptation of RACH

procedures for 5G NR over Satellite, Adaptation of Radio Resource Management

procedures for 5G NR over Satellite, Adaptation of Mobility Management procedures

for 5G NR over Satellite, etc.).


Most broadband SatCom are using or migrating towards the ETSI defined radio interfaces

specifying DVB-S2(x) and DVB-RCS2 low layers and access protocols. Some existing

commercial broadband SatCom networks implement the higher layer protocols (e.g.

network/transport). These radio interface specifications limited freedom of implementation

does not ensure interoperability between terminals and gateways from different vendors.

These standards are specific to satellite network systems and do not consider the smooth

interoperability with cellular networks from QoS, service, mobility, radio resource or network

management points of view. The total market size of broadband access via satellite being

relatively limited to several million units per year prevents major benefits from cost reduction

through economy of scale. In summary, the current SatCom market is characterized by quasi

proprietary solutions.

In this context, SaT5G addressed the research pillar of SatCom harmonisation with 5G Control

and User Plane. In particular, SaT5G considered the re-use of all or part of the 3GPP Next

Gen control/user planes protocol stacks in future Broadband Satellite networks, leveraging

and contributing to 3GPP efforts to mitigate satellite specific characteristics such as the

latency. In the context of SatCom, adaptations to 3GPP protocols include synchronization,

random access channel procedures, fast loop controlling power and/or MODCOD, HARQ,

beam tracking, beam/satellite hand-over.

The implementation of 3GPP protocols in SatCom will ease the integration of Broadband

Satellite networks in 5G especially in multi-link configuration (also at backhaul) as well as

minimizing the development and maintenance cost of future satellite network systems which

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will naturally benefit from the functional upgrades in 3GPP. The approach followed by SaT5G

for the introduction of 3GPP protocols in Broadband Satellite networks corresponds to the

long-term approach, which is to use all of the 3GPP standardized 5G protocol layers, thus

completely replacing DVB-S2(x)/RCS2 radio protocols.

Overall this approach paves the way towards increased interoperability between Broadband

Satellite networks and cellular systems but also between equipment from different vendors.

Harmonizing protocol stacks (and possibly the UE chipset) with 5G mobile systems is

expected to provide significant reduction of development, maintenance as well as

procurement cost of future Broadband Satellite networks.

In the context of ETSI [ETSI TR 103 611], SaT5G contributed to the definition of several

scenarios for satellite network integration in the 5G system each one leading to a specific

CAPEX/OPEX impact compared to existing SatCom solutions. The higher technology

commonalities with 5G technology may also impact the acceptance by the 3GPP ecosystem.

Beyond state of the art “backhaul”, satellite networks can provide equivalent service but using

instead the “indirect access to UE” feature based on Relay capable UE. For some use cases,

SatCom networks can also provide direct access to UEs. These are referred to as

“implementation options”.

SaT5G project work has established the fundamental design for next generation access

techniques that will be exploitable to enable this broader set of scenarios. To this end, SaT5G

project work has investigated:

Main satellite communication specific constraints, over the air (such as propagation

delay, propagation channel), both at receiver and transmitter sides, and in the satellite

payload, when integrating a space segment in a 5G system

Issues and impacts on 5G physical layer features (such as NR numerology,

synchronization, demodulation of NR pilots, RACH, Timing advance, retransmission,

ACM loop, Power Control, Duplexing mode)

Other issues and impacts on 5G system control and user planes (data link protocol

layer and above layers)

Solutions to overcome these issues through design and in-lab performance

assessment.

Over-the-air demonstrations for assessing the Scenario A3 - Indirect mixed 3GPP NTN

access.

In addition, in the context of 3GPP, based on the analysis carried out partially within SaT5G,

there have been several contributions to 3GPP RAN related standardization activities for next

generation 3GPP/non-3GPP satellite access. Since 3GPP RAN#76, there have been two

activities on 5G NR to support NTN which are successively carried out in 3GPP RAN:

3GPP Release 15 RAN Study Item “FS_NR_nonterr_nw” - Study on NR to support

NTN

3GPP Release 16 RAN3/2/1 Study Item “FS_NR_NTN_solutions” - Solutions for NR

to support NTN

The 3GPP Release 15 RAN Study Item “FS_NR_nonterr_nw” results are reflected in 3GPP

TR 38.811 [3GPP TR 38.811].

Based on the outcomes of the 3GPP TR 38.811 [3GPP TR 38.811], the 3GPP Release 16

Study Item “FS_NR_NTN_solutions” addresses the following objectives:

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Consolidation of potential impacts on the physical layer and definition of related

solutions

Performance assessment of NR in selected deployment scenarios through link level

and system level simulations

Study and define related solutions on NR related Layer 2 and 3, and

Study and define related solutions on RAN architecture and related interface protocols.




Research on the 5G NR air interface over satellite is an area that we are covering within

SaT5G but is much wider than the resources available will cover. As 3GPP has study items in

Release 15 and Release 16 on this topic, with potentially new ones to be opened in Release

17, we see that this is an area of extension of the work in SaT5G.

In this context, building upon the SaT5G project work and based upon the outcomes of the

3GPP TR 38.811 and 3GPP TR 38.821, 3GPP Release 17 will aim to define a set of necessary

features/adaptations enabling the operation of NR protocol in NTN with a priority on satellite

access. Some of them can be the following:

Random access,

Synchronization,

HARQ,

Physical layer procedures: adaptation of power control, ACM, Channel State

Information (CSI),

Extended system information, common signaling,

User plane enhancements at MAC, RLC, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP),

Radio resource Control (RRC) level,

Idle mode and inactive mode mobility management (including tracking area

management, radio notification area management paging),

Connected mode mobility enhancements of Release 16 mobility methods like make-

before-break handover, conditional handover, RACH-less handover, radio link

monitoring to support NTN and Inter cellular/satellite access,

Handling of network identities,

Radio resource management core requirements (e.g. cell phase synchronization,

beam management/switching, radio link monitoring & timing requirements, …).

Apart from 3GPP Standardization for 5G NR adaptations over Satellite, future work beyond

SaT5G timeframe can include the following relevant activities:

Design and assess performance of specific solutions for key impact areas of 5G NR

over Transparent/Regenerative Satellite,

Validate specific solutions for 5G NR over Transparent/Regenerative Satellite in

laboratory and over-the-air conditions,

Productize and commercialize specific Ground Segment solutions for 5G NR over

Satellite,

Productize and commercialize specific Space Segment solutions for 5G NR over

Satellite.

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Most of the SaT5G work has focused on transparent (bent-pipe) satellites. However, lifting

gNBs onto satellites that have On-Board Processing (OBP) capability could mean that the

next generation 5G Core (5GC) network needs some modifications or new features that have

to be identified and developed.

Looking further ahead, it is noted that in SaT5G the satellite element itself is considered as a

pipe and not as an integral part of a virtualised E2E system. A topic for future research will be

to consider what software virtualised elements can be accommodated on board future

satellites and be subject to the overall orchestration process. An example would be gNB

elements on board the satellite which could be interesting in the context of LEO constellations.


in Section 5.

2.6 Extending 5G Security to Satellite

Objective

For the integration of satellite into 5G networks, security is considered important.

On the one hand, integrated networks need to be as secure as their constituent networks.

Integration may also need new security mechanisms (e.g. when integrating management

systems) and in case of sharing of networks there is a need to isolate the users of the shared

networks. On the other hand, security mechanisms must not prevent the normal operation of

networks and, for instance, should not interfere with optimizations used in satellite and 5G

networks.

This task investigated the security aspects of integrated satellite and 5G networks, focussing

on the one hand on the way existing security mechanisms may complicate the usage of

satellite networks and their optimizations, and on the other hand on new security mechanism

that may be needed for the integration and sharing of networks.

The following steps have been undertaken in this research and prototyping:

1. State of the art of security in 5G networks and in satellite networks have been

investigated,

2. Based on the architecture scenarios identified and investigated in this project, security

aspects (e.g. security threats and solutions) of these architectures have been

investigated,

3. Complications arising from the use of 5G security solutions on integrated 5G/ satellite

networks have been studied, including a prototype simulation of the potential negative

impact of satellite delay on security protocols,

4. In addition to the above a number of new security aspects have been investigated,

such as those related to slicing, related to integrated management, related to edge

computing, and related to multicast.


The intention at the start of the project was to develop functions and mechanisms to overcome

the impact of satellite latency on the successful operation of these. After analysis of existing

security architectures and protocols and after testing in TNO’s lab facility, this development

was found to be unnecessary.

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Analysis, however, identified that the use of IPsec between the core and the radio network

such as that imposed by the common practices in mobile networks causes issues for the

following:

Implementation of performance enhancing protocols/proxies (PEP) over the

satellite backhaul,

Fully effective deployment of satellite optimized class of service and flow control,

Deployment of UPF at the gNB such as MEC content caches are not reachable by

the UE.

Members of the SaT5G consortium attempted to create a study item at 3GPP SA3, but this

was rejected as the backhaul was seen as out of scope of 3GPP.




Towards the end of the study period (summer 2019) the 3GPP TS 23.501 was updated in

3GPP SA2 to include the concept of a trusted Non-3GPP Gateway function (TNGF) in Figure

4.2.8.2.1-2 “Non-roaming architecture for 5G Core Network with trusted non-3GPP access”.

The implications of the use and implementation of a TNGF for satcom backhauls merits further

study.

An alternative approach is the use of TLS rather than IPsec with the CoS flags preserved. This

allows many elements of PEP, CoS and flow control to be implemented; however, this does

not address the implementation of edge caching at the gNB.

The extension of security and trust into MANO and business plans should be investigated

further to understand how these can be best implemented. Another area that that could be

investigated is possible interactions between 5G security mechanisms, DRM and satellite

enabled multicast content distribution.


in Section 5.

2.7 Caching and Multicast for content and VNF distribution

Objective

This task starts by researching the satellite overlay to cellular multicast plus caching

architecture developed in Task 3.4. It then addresses the advantages of the hierarchical

approach and analyze through simulation. The results of the research are then used to

develop a proof of concept of caching/multicast approaches within this architecture. The proof

of concept shows Satcom based interconnection with 5G test networks researching:

Application-layer content distribution through Satcom (Context-aware optimization

algorithms, Quality of Experience driven content adaptation, Decision-making

intelligence on mode-switching of content transmissions over satellite backhaul),

Migration of virtual network functions (VNF) and network state information,

o Supporting scheduled or on-demand migration of network functions and network state

information,

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o Study latency requirements for enabling seamless system response/control when

performing online VNF and state information migration.


Currently, video content assets are served to user devices using either live streaming from

centralised CDNs or from caching content servers at the edge of the network. In this project,

two work streams have been followed to develop and demonstrate video delivery over satellite,

one is using multicast and the other using application-based video live streaming using

Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH).

In the case of multicast, this is to address use-case 1 (multicast to network edge) and also

use-case 4 (connectivity to moving platforms). Multicast is here used either in caching mode

or in live delivery mode. In the case of DASH, this is used to address use-case 3 (enhancing

broadband to fixed premises) through multiple parallel links. This topic was addressed under

this research pillar rather than the multi-linking pillar because the higher focus is on video

delivery. So in the end in this pillar we have one method of demonstrating caching (multicast)

and two methods of demonstrating live streaming (multicast and multi-linking).

Multicast

In the case of using multicast, both live and video-on-demand (VoD) are served to mobile

devices on-the-go from centralised CDNs, usually located on Points of Presence (POPs)

owned and controlled by the network operator. A number of POPs are elected to stream all

the content to mobile users. The concept of distributed CDN, where most popular video

contents are cached in the edge and streamed from a location closer to end-users, has so far

not been used for video content delivery to mobile devices. As the video-over-cellular traffic

increases every year, very soon further boosted by 5G, composed of bandwidth-intensive and

latency-sensitive immersive video applications, the central CDNs will not be sufficient

anymore.

Leveraging new hosting locations such as base stations or transmission aggregation points

would lead to a finer granularity of POPs and the possibility of streaming content from a

location closer to end-users. These POPs need to be provisioned with the stream content,

with a certain level of elasticity to cache in each location only the most popular ones.

Two main topics have been investigated for an efficient service delivery over the satellite:

Edge local caching and live channel delivery over satellite multicast. For each of these topics,

developments have been made at two levels: virtualisation of network functions, and provision

of new algorithms.

A new caching Application Function (AF) is developed. It sits within the 5G core network, and

communicates with the network exposure function (NEF) and the policy control function (PCF).

The policy for caching is transferred from the AF to the MEC as part of the control plane, and

the policy is that content is pre-fetched if it is predicted to be popular from the analytics

calculation (not in scope of project) or if the user application requests certain segments to be

pre-fetched.

The use-cases that have benefitted from these multicast developments are backhauling to

cellular sites (use-case 2) and backhauling to moving platforms (use-case 4). These have

been demonstrated on testbeds as fixed backhaul on the 5GIC testbed, and connectivity to

an aircraft on the Zodiac testbed.

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DASH over multi-link

This process takes advantage of the H264 video coding feature that is base coding and

enhancement layer coding of the same frames. The base coded and enhancement coded

versions of the frames are assumed to be available on a server that is attached to the 5G core

network, and they can be sent over different paths. In the implementation on the SaT5G

project, when a UE requests a video that is not cached, the MEC server fetches the segments

entirely on the path with least latency (at the present time this is typically a terrestrial path) in

order that the start-up delay is low. A buffer of content is built up at the MEC, and when the

buffer reaches a threshold the segments are sent over higher latency paths (currently satellite

paths) instead. Various schemes can be used to determine the paths used depending on

conditions apart from latency. For example if the terrestrial bandwidth is low then the base

coded frames can be sent over terrestrial links and the enhanced coded frames sent over

satellite. The protocol developed can serve several UEs at the same location with different

videos, while keeping the joint QoE and fairness as high as possible.

Scalable Video Coding (SVC) encodes each segment at base layer and multiple enhancement

layers to achieve bit-rate adaptation. Independent video streams with different quality may be

generated by conglomerating the base layer with several allowable enhancement layers. In

order to deliver bit-rate adaptability, the encoded layers of each video segment are stored at

the content server that is attached to the 5G core. This enables enhanced QoE to be delivered

along with a degree of fairness to the multiple clients (where, each client may be requesting

distinct video stream) by optimally utilizing the available backhaul links (satellite and

terrestrial).

In the implementation of SaT5G project, the MEC server is responsible for handling all video

segment requests from multiple User Equipment (UE). The MEC server selects a backhaul

link (satellite or terrestrial) for each enhancement layer based on the instantaneous playout

buffer size. The MEC server downloads the enhancement layers through satellite link for the

UEs having relatively high playout buffer size. However, the enhancement layer corresponding

to clients having critical playout buffer size is prioritized to download form terrestrial link to

avoid re-buffering and start up delay. The MEC server categorises all UEs into three distinct

states namely, Startup state, Critical state and Stable State, based on the client’s buffer status.

To realise this, each active client periodically feedbacks its playout buffer status to the MEC

server.

The use-case that this development has been applied to is broadband to fixed premises that

is use-case 3. It has been demonstrated on the 5GIC testbed.




Multicasting

Multicasting is a mature network technology on fixed networks (TRL = 7), but there is a

roadmap for satellite and virtualization. With the trend leaning towards increasing MEO and

LEO satellite capacity at reducing cost, multicasting will need to accommodate satellite

handovers. It will also require better support in the VNF environments. For example the

networking on OpenStack does not currently support multicast on its virtual switches, and this

needed a time-consuming work-around on the Zodiac project testbed. Multicasting is evolving

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towards synchronized and low latency delivery of content to multiple users especially for

events.

DASH

The proof of concept developed in the project has shown that satellite links assist in video

delivery and effectively offload the terrestrial path. At the start of a video, the low latency

terrestrial path is used to fill the client buffer to a threshold amount, and then the buffer

becomes increasingly served by the satellite link. Some preliminary development has been

done in the project, and the TRL for this technology is around 2 – 3; it is still at the research

and proof of concept stage, and the roadmap is as follows:

Development of the system to be scalable and reliable for carrier-grade trials

Addition of more parallel paths, with multiple terrestrial links and multiple satellite links

Adaptation to different satellite orbits in the context of increasing numbers of MEO and

LEO satellites going forward

As satellite technology develops towards lower orbits, higher capacity, lower latency and more

flexible payloads, video streaming over satellite would increase if the economics are viable,

and base and higher quality layers would increasingly use satellite especially in areas where

terrestrial broadband to premises is of lower capacity. The video layering algorithms could

operate over multiple satellite paths perhaps using satellites in different orbits for increase in

resilience and throughput.


in Section 5.

2.8 Other Technologies

Beyond SaT5G scope of work, there are other technologies that are summarised together with

their associated roadmap in Appendix A of this document, in order to provide some context in

complementary work to the SaT5G scope.

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3 Future SatCom trends and integration

3.1 Scope

This section describes how satellite systems are evolving to provide new services or to provide

existing services into new markets or provide increased value in service provision. It also

provides information about the state of the art in satellite integration, the contribution of this

project to this integration, and likely future integration scenarios and requirements.

3.2 Satellite system evolution and need for integration

Satellite is arguably the only technology that can reach 100% of the population economically.

Within the satellite space segment there is a trend for ever-increasing flexibility, capacity, and

service availability to stay in business. This is complemented on the ground by increasingly

lighter, more compact, more affordable, more energy efficient and ergonomic ground segment

and terminals.

As the world's economies grow increasingly global and as all global parts, the atmosphere,

and the oceans are exploited by mankind, the need for efficient wireless interlinks through

satellite and terrestrial wireless communication will expand. Furthermore, the increased usage

of space systems (planetary, manned, and unmanned bodies) will give rise to the need for

enhanced space communication systems.

It is important that we work towards integration of satellite and terrestrial networks in this

project and we have done so by introducing terrestrial cellular concepts into the existing

satellite domain, such as network orchestration and slicing. It is the view of stakeholders that

the future of the satellite communication space depends upon how successful the present

satellite networks are. Seamless inter working with terrestrial core networks and terrestrial

wireless access networks is of utmost significance for the satellite networks’ success

[Eletimes].

Other trends in satellite technology are expected to include:

Interaction between satellites in different orbits will become increasingly beneficial to

save costs on ground segment, such as LEO satellites monitoring, and control systems

being controlled using connectivity extended by GEO satellites,

More use of Ka and higher frequency bands, development of antennas and electronics,

for greater throughput,

More use of vHTS with increased frequency reuse.

As well as technical trends, there are also trends in the satellite communications marketplace:

Changing the satellite service provider model from selling channel bandwidth ($/MHz)

to selling capacity ($/Mbit/s) with the possible use of brokers,

High speed communications on the move,

Broadband service to space planes and aircraft. High speed access to internet is

offered by several airlines today. Similarly, Unattended Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and

high-altitude platforms are also promising contenders for communication system

applications,

IoT and Connected Car. Every operator is adding the connected car portfolio as an

emerging market segment.

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Growth in satellite traffic is predicted to rise mainly from broadband, and to a lesser extent

from video, according to Belmer from Eutelsat [Satellite Today]. Satellite Broadband is seen

as a growth area for both mobile and fixed. Non-linear services such as Over-the-Top (OTT)

and on-demand consumption are growing, satellite technology will be absolutely crucial for

bringing massive quantities of video content to users beyond fibre networks, including on-

demand. Figure 3-1 shows a plot of the communications satellite services market from a

Morgan Stanley report [Morgan Stanley].

Figure 3-1. Predicted communications satellite services market over next 20 years (Source:

[Morgan Stanley])

Currently there are around 3000 satellites in orbit around the earth, just over 400 of which are

Geostationary. The growth in the number of GEO satellites has been declining for several

years; from 2006 to 2010 there was an average of 25 orders per year, dropping to 20 per year

from 2010 – 2015, and 12 per year from 2016 – 2017. The number of GEO satellites ordered

in 2018 was just 5 [Space news]. Assuming that the lifetime of a GEO satellite is around 15

years, we would expect the replacement rate to be around 400 / 15 = 26, so it could be that

the number of GEO satellites will reduce over time. Of course, this simple argument does not

translate into reduction of GEO capacity due to satellites increasing in size and developments,

such as vHTS.

Other contributory factors to the flat lining in GEO growth are LEO BB expectations, continuing

incremental fibre, 5G cellular expansion, saturation of satellite TV market and longer life of

GEOs.

In contrast to the stagnation in the growth of GEO satellites, the growth of satellite deployment

in other orbits is increasing. An example of a MEO system is O3b being deployed by SES;

these satellites are in equatorial orbit at about 8000-kilometer altitude and are delivering low

latency fibre-like connectivity to any area approximately 45 degrees north and south of the

equator. O3b began operations in 2014 with 4 satellites and has been increasing the capacity

gradually, right now it has 16 satellites, 13 of which are operational. These satellites are bent

pipe satellites (no on-board signal regeneration). An additional 7 are designated for launch in

2021. This project has demonstrated connectivity to moving platforms using the O3b system.

The growth in LEO systems is even more ambitious. Examples are the Starlink system from

SpaceX that has 180 satellites launched at the time of writing and will be operational with 800

satellites in two years, and the full constellation of over 4000 satellites in 2024. Iridium Next is

fully launched (as of 2019) with 66 satellites. OneWeb has launched six of its planned 648

satellites (2019) and they claim will be operational and profitable in 2022.

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The European Space Agency has remarked on this shift from geostationary satellites to

medium and low earth orbit satellite constellations. They say it will drive large changes in the

technologies that are used as well as the numbers of satellites. There will be new business

models and changes to the economics of the satellite business [ESA]. Right now, 75% of

satellite capacity is taken up with TV broadcast, and around 2% is taken by broadband, and

this will shift significantly over the next five years due to the requirements for high bandwidth

data communication.

Looking at the filings to ITU via the FCC, we can get an idea of the plans of satellite operators

even further into the future, although with increasing uncertainty because some of these filings

will be placeholders in order to secure spectrum and orbital slots, and the proposals will not

all be deployed ultimately. We see that filed with the FCC are LEO and VLEO satellites from

SpaceX, OneWeb, Telesat, O3b and Theia, all with plans to launch V-band satellites. SpaceX

proposes 7,518 v-band VLEO satellites in addition to the 4,425 mentioned above, that would

function at Ku and Ka band. Telesat proposed 117 V-band satellites as second-generation

overlay. OneWeb wants to operate 720 V-band satellites in LEO at 1200km, and another MEO

constellation of 1,280 in MEO, assigning traffic between the two constellations dynamically.

Viasat applied for 24 MEO satellites to augment ViaSat 3, three GEO terabit satellites. O3b

wants market access for up to 24 additional satellites in MEO in circular equatorial orbit (like

the current O3b) calling it O3bN. During SaT5G, 5G over MEO satellites was demonstrated,

utilising the SES O3b satellites. UoS also demonstrated a 5G connection over the Telesat

LEO demo satellite

We can therefore expect, in the medium term of 5 years, satellites in LEO and MEO

constellations to increase and in the longer term of 10 years, expect further growth in these

orbits, with increased use of higher frequencies (v-band) and the use of regenerative and soft

defined payloads. Computing resource will be increasingly feasible on LEO systems as

satellites become cheaper to manufacture and deploy with shorter lifetimes. An increase in

computing resource will lead to on-board storage of data and increased self-management,

which will reduce the demand on ground segment to have links to satellites always present.

Base-stations and parts of the core network can be flown on board, which will increase the

efficiency and availability of cellular-like services. On-board data storage and processing will

also lead to greater flexibility with multicast and multi-link architectures.

There will likely be a consolidation among classical operators, emergence of new players and

a shift of strategy to a combined broadcasting / broadband system. There is a strong push for

cost reduction in the space segment (factor of 10), shorter development and manufacturing

time, including for GEO (from 3 years to 1 year).

The trend of high re-configurability and modularity of payload in terms of coverage, orbital

location, resource allocations, power and bandwidth. There will be new concepts of reliability

and redundancy (reduced lifetime, COTS exploitation) and production for lower cost, and

higher throughput for improved service.

The increase in lower orbiting satellite capacity requires some technical solutions, related to

the satellites being smaller, the need for automated production lines and lower launch costs.

The larger number of satellites leads to more complex ground infrastructure deployment and

management, tracking antennas, and more difficult spectrum sharing.

The needed technical solutions are active antennas, deployable direct radiating arrays, array-

fed reflectors, digital processors to support flexible beam forming (the preferred seems to be

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hybrid BFN, channelization and routing). Feeder links may re-use Ka band active antennas

avoiding dedicated antennas / input section and offering full re-configurability in support of

smart gateway diversity and progressive gateway deployment. All this leads to generic, fully

reconfigurable and modular payload allowing reduction in cost and satellite lead-time.

3.3 Future Integration

It is acknowledged that the integration of 5G and satellite is a process that will take some time

to complete with multiple iterations between all stakeholders over time.

It seems only fair that success criteria for such an ongoing activity will be defined over time

following predefined milestones, current project roadmap is expected to span across 3 main

time periods ending 2 years (2021) after the SaT5G project will terminates and release 16 will

be finalized (2019). The medium term is about 5 years after the SaT5G project ends. In this

period, we expect to have contributions of the satellite communication community to Rel 17

and Rel 18. And the long term is about 10 years after the project end (Circa 2029). The

expectations are that most of the integration will be achieved in the medium term (up to 2024).

However, we are already experienced delays in some of the LEO mega constellations due to

the enormous efforts and new technologies involved.

Table 3-1: Selected Success Criteria for Satellite Integration into 5G

# Success Criteria Expected Time

Period

1.

A single orchestrator is managing a 5GC and a satellite MANO.

The 5GC controls the 5G NF and satellite MANO controls the satellite segment.

Acceleration and optimization technologies are providing end to end 5G services over NTN which is non-3GPP compliant and non-trusted (N3IWF is used)

Short

2. Successfully introduce proposed standardization inputs into 3GPP Release 16 and 17.

Short

3.

A single orchestrator is managing a 5GC and a satellite MANO.

The 5GC controls the 5G NF and satellite MANO controls the satellite segment.

Acceleration and optimization technologies are providing end to end 5G services over NTN which is 3GPP compliant and trusted.

Medium

4.

Single 5GC will manage and control terrestrial and satellite infrastructures, synchronising resource allocation between different network segments (i.e. Hub, remotes, UE, gNB, NF) between terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial infrastructures.

This includes end to end service delivery as well as security and authentication between different network segments.

Long

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4 Stakeholders and Associated Bodies for Roadmap

Execution

4.1 Overview

This section details at the various stakeholders that will be involved to varying degrees in the

execution of roadmaps. There are many ways that these can be categorised, for these

deliverables, as follows:

Standardisation fora: more commonly referred to as standards developing

organisations (SDOs),

Commercial organisations: The companies that provide the services, systems and

components,

Research organisations: The universities and research organisations looking at new

developments at a low TRL,

Coordination groups: Other formal and informal groups that provide methods for the

various organisations to coordinate their activities.

4.2 Standardisation fora

The following table (Table 4-1) lists leading SDOs relevant to the SaT5G roadmap and their

possible roles in the coordination of new requirements and definitions needed to offer the

complete end-to-end service. Most of these organisations combine a mix of reports that

analyse the issues and standards that define the requirements.

Table 4-1: SDOs

SDO Short description

ITU

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is linked to the United Nations through a special agreement and is specialized agency for information and communication technologies. It covers many areas including the initial descriptions of IMT (international mobile telecoms) and standards that cover radio communications and telecommunications.

3GPP

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaborative project aimed at developing globally acceptable specifications for third generation (3G) and subsequent (4G, 5G,…) mobile systems. One of the main SDOs for driving standards including those needed for the integration of SatCom into 5G networks, it has three specification groups:

Radio access networks (RAN),

Service and system aspects (SA),

Core network and terminals (CT).

ETSI

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is an independent, not-for-profit, standardization organization in the telecommunications industry (equipment makers and network operators) in Europe (and nowadays beyond). It has several different committees including the following of direct relevance to the development of standards related to the roadmap execution:

TC-SES,

MANO,

NFV,

MEC.

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SDO Short description

IETF

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), describes itself as the main standards organization for the Internet. The IETF is a large open international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and its operation defining many standards.

IEEE The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering (and associated disciplines), its standards include Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

BB Forum

The Broadband Forum develops new technologies and standards in the home, intelligent small business and multi-user infrastructure of the broadband network. They provide technical reports covering services including the management of customer premise equipment.

TM Forum

A global industry association that drives collaboration and collective problem-solving to maximize the business success of communication and digital service providers and their ecosystem of suppliers. They include definitions of business processes and operational support systems (OSS).

There are many other standards organizations such as the national SDOs (such as IEE, DIN,

ETRI, FCC and very many more), and sector specific organizations such as ARINC that focus

on aeronautical. The mobility sector in particular has many different standards, regulations

and laws to conform to, and these vary from sector to sector.

4.3 Commercial organisations

A review of the value matrix in SaT5G Deliverables D2.2 (see [SaT5G D2.2]; Section 3.5

where it considers the possible role for a broker) alludes to the complex web of commercial

organisations that make up the delivery of eMBB services to end users relying on the

integration of SatCom in to 5G networks.

As there are very many organisations the following table (Table 4-2) details some of the

categories and a very general insight in to their many unique motivations.

Table 4-2: Insight in to commercial organisations and their motivations

Category Examples in SaT5G

Other examples Commercial

drivers Standards interests

and 5G drivers

Mobile network operators

BT/EE

Vodafone, Orange, MTN,

Turkcell, T-Mobile, etc.

Enhanced service to current end users

New verticals

Extra spectrum

Varied but includes service as well as technical level standards

May have coverage obligations or availability commitments

New verticals

Handsets manufacturers

None Apple, Samsung,

etc New devices

Geared towards sale of new devices in maximum volumes in current and new verticals

Terrestrial vendors and

system integrators

QUO

Nokia, Ericcson, Huaweii, Cisco, Juniper, CGI,

Qualcomm, etc., etc.

New devices

Geared towards sale of new devices and installations in maximum volumes so satellite reach has some interest

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Category Examples in SaT5G

Other examples Commercial

drivers Standards interests

and 5G drivers

Sector vendors and integrators

ZII, BPK

Different sectors have different vendors and integrators

Enhanced service to current end users

Sector specific standards

Standards as they relate to integration of satcom & 5G

Satellite manufacturers

ADS, TAS

OHB, Clydespace and others including

newspace companies

Sale of satellites Broad but with a focus on future spacecraft sales

Satellite operators

AVA, SES

Intelsat, Inmarsat,

Eutelsat, Telesat, Echostar, plus

newspace entrants such as

OneWeb and Starlink

Capacity sales Primarily those needed to protect and sell capacity

Satellite network

operators AVA, SES

Intelsat, Inmarsat,

Eutelsat, Telesat, Echostar, etc.

Network services

Capacity for service (e.g. broadcast)

Standards as they relate to integration of satcom & 5G at all levels including service

Satellite network vendors

GLT, iDR

Hughes, Viasat, Newtec,

Comtech, ND Satcom etc

Sale of equipment and new features for existing

Standards as they relate to integration of satcom & 5G; also some sector specific

Satellite service resellers

None

Different sectors have different e.g. maritime, aeronautical, trains, African market and so

forth

Network services in many sector specific guises

Standards as they relate to sector specific integration of satcom & 5G

Management and

Orchestrator companies

i2CAT Amdocs, etc

Sale of solutions for heterogeneous network management and orchestration

Standards as a motivation for increasing exploitation

Dynamic Resource Allocation

None Google Loon, Kythera, etc

Sale of solutions for resource allocation across the network

Standards as a key for increasing exploitation

Cloud providers None Microsoft,

Amazon, Google, etc

Usage of the cloud as part of the network

Standards as key for increasing exploitation

There are of course many other companies and more complex categorisations that can be

considered.

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4.4 Research organisations

These can be largely split in to two groups:

Universities of Oulu and Surrey in the SaT5G project;

Research organisations both government and private, such as TNO, IMEC.

Examples of some leading research organisations in Europe looking at 5G related activities

include CNES in France, DLR and the Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany, VVT in Finland, plus

NPL, RAL and the Satellite Applications Catapult in the UK. The EC published a List of the

recognised research entities [EC].

Most of these organisations combine national government funds with a mix of matched funding

and industrial support. They will look at everything from applied research of new concepts all

the way through to creating and supporting large demonstrations at TRL7 (such the 5G

Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey, 5G Berlin where Fraunhofer has played a

significant role and the 5G TN by VTT with the University of Oulu).

4.5 Coordination groups

There are many groupings that provide some form of coordination between different

organisations that can help further the integration of SatCom into 5G. Some of these are

shown in Table 4-3.

Table 4-3: Groups providing coordination between organisations

Group Description Roles in driving satcom integration in to

5G

H2020 and future

EU Research and Innovation programmes that include support for new ICT developments such as but not limited to 5G.

5Genesis and 5G Vinni projects

New calls looking at different aspects

5GPPP

The 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (5G PPP)is a joint initiative between the EC and European ICT industry. It allows the various projects to communicate with each other.

Joint demonstrations and trials

Improved understanding between different organisations and sectors

ESA

The European Space Agency (ESAis Europe's gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits. ESA is an international organisation with 22 Member States.

ESA provides funding for a variety of projects. One major initiative is Space for 5G [ESA-5G]

One project is Alix that manages coordination of standardisation activities through the Standards Special Interest Group (SSIG)

ESOA

The EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) is a CEO-driven satellite association that leads a coordinated and impactful response to the global challenges and opportunities the commercial satellite communications sector faces.

ESOA is the satcom market representation partner to 3GPP which provides an opportunity to set direction.

It is cooperating with NGMN [NGMN] “to foster a closer co-operation in the field of integration of satellite solutions in the 5G ecosystem”.

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Group Description Roles in driving satcom integration in to

5G

Finally, it has a standards working group that coordinates standards activities between its members.

NetWorld 2020

“The” European Technology Platform for communications networks and services.

Has a satellite working group [NETWORLD] that amongst other things seeks to “define Vision and priorities for SatCom related research topics”.

Horizons 5G

A UK grouping [HORIZONS] that seeks to see “Space as an embedded and integrated part of the 5G network”

Projects and research

ATIS NTN Working Group

The WG will drive the creation of normative standards for satellite NTNs in 5G, by bringing together satellite ecosystem players and terrestrial ecosystem players to develop and coordinate technical positions and create aligned contributions to advance support of NTNs in 3GPP.

The ATIS NTN WG will focus on: – Release 17 and Release 18 (while supporting Release 16 WIs) – Addressing the end-to-end satellite ecosystem & high potential growth verticals • Services, satellites, terminal, waveform, network, etc. – Assessing the appropriate frequency bands for NTN services by satellite operators – Priorities and use cases driven by satellite operators’ needs while working with terrestrial providers to ensure that mobile network operators and others can seamlessly and cost-effectively integrate with satellite systems

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5 Suggested Roadmap

5.1 Introduction

This chapter suggests, for each research pillar within the project, a roadmap for the

technologies that goes into the future, considering the known plans for satellite deployments

technology and standards. For each of the technology pillars that was developed through

SaT5G the chapter suggests a roadmap for the short, medium and long terms that are

assumed to be approximately 2 years, 5 years and 10 years respectively from the end of the

project can vary between the pillars. The Technology Readiness Level TRL of the technology

pillars is estimated at the finalization of the project. The partners suggested roadmap for each

of the relevant technologies. It is based on the knowledge and the known trends including

standardization activities and satellite technology etc. The actual roadmap will be influenced

by market’s needs, TRL’s of each technology, budget etc. SaT5G follows the definitions of

TRLs laid down in [TRL] and summarised below in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1: Definition of TRLs

TRL # Definition

TRL 1 Basic principles observed

TRL 2 Technology concept formulated

TRL 3 Experimental proof of concept

TRL 4 Technology validated in lab

TRL 5 Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)

TRL 6 Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)

TRL 7 System prototype demonstration in operational environment

TRL 8 System complete and qualified

TRL 9 Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space)

5.2 Implementation of 5G SDN and NFV across Satellite

Networks

Suggested Roadmap

The SDN and NFV concepts have been extended to the satellite networks in this Sat5G and

other projects. In SaT5G we have demonstrated several examples of VF that are installed and

orchestrated via a common network management. The SaT5G demonstrated these

capabilities in the ground infrastructure. The SDN capabilities demonstrated modifications in

the network capabilities and behaviour according to the dynamic requirements. This allows

the network operator to modify the network capabilities during the network life cycle.

The future direction would be to add more software defined capabilities, more VF and to

dynamically upload VF. In the short term those capabilities will be concentrated in the ground

infrastructure, where it is already quite advanced. These trends influence the space segment

as well. In parallel to the SaT5G project, we witnessed progress in these directions in the

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space segment, supported by ESA, research institutes and commercial companies. Eutelsat,

SES and other satellite operators announced that they are progressing in those directions as

it is improving the usage of the space segment.

The table below summarises the foreseen progress in those technologies in the years to come.

Table 5-2: TRL of Key Technologies in 5G SDN and NFV across Satellite Networks

Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End

Short-Term Mid-Term Long-Term

VNF as part of the network

4

Gateway VF that will reside on the data centers.

Using VF residing on the cloud (Private and public)

Using containers and better granularity of the VF.

VF dynamic upload to the MEC

More real-time functions will run on the cloud.

Share VF between GEO and NGSO ground infrastructure.

Share VF between the 5G core and the satellite network infrastructure.

Build a NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) terminal which will host part of 5G NF facilitating connection to 5G Core.

Uploading VF to the space segment. Due to the power limited nature of the space segment. Usage of VF as part of the satellite payload is expected to get mature in the longer term.

Network slicing

4

Extend network slicing to the ground segment of the satellite networks to differentiate between several logical backhaul applications and service providers

Virtual ground network to differed services providers the same ground infrastructure.

End to End QoS between 5GC and satellite networks using multiple virtual NF

End to End network slicing that include the ground and space segment offering Virtual Satellite Network to different service providers sharing the common infrastructure.

Extend virtual network slicing to satellite networks including Sat-Core and Sat-Ran to differentiate between different service providers

Software defined

capabilities across the network

4

Traffic steering according to the network needs in the ground segment. VF distribution and dynamic located according to the network programmability.

Automatic distribution and installation of virtual NF at the edge (remote) over satellite

Dynamic allocation of VF across the whole network (ground and space segments)

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Main Stakeholders

Satellite network providers (iDirect, Gilat, HNS…), Satellite payload providers (ADS, TAS),

Satellite operators (SES, Eutelsat, Avanti), Cloud providers (Microsoft, Amazon, Google),

Standardization bodies (ETSI, MEF…), 5G core providers, SW companies for providing the

VFs, research institutes mainly for algorithms for VF locations across the network.

5.3 Integrated Network Management & Orchestration

Suggested Roadmap

The objective is that the networks will be a network of networks, consists of different

technologies, service providers etc. In order to get the best performance and utilisation, the

whole network will be managed and orchestrated ensuring end-to-end optimized performance.

Table 5-3: TRL of Key Technologies in Integrated Network Management & Orchestration

Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End


Network management

and orchestration

4

Implement an open source solution that will comply with both 3GPP SA5 (Telecom Management) and ETSI Open Source MANO (OSM) framework specifications.

Abstraction layer of the ground segment. Continue the developments of the TALENT tool adding more capabilities.

Abstraction layer of the whole network Integrated satellite and 5G core network using a defined abstraction layer

Enable definition and deployment of end to end network slicing functionality.

Usage of commercial Cloud management tools as part of the overall orchestration and management. (e.g., Microsoft Azure [SES-Microsoft])

End to end Network management and orchestration of the different technologies, service providers including the space segment and the ground segment.

LSO 3

Adapt and orchestrate the network utilizing the MEF LSO approach. This will allow better Life Cycle Orchestration (LSO) and coordination with other technologies.

Adapting LSO tools for the entire network that will orchestrate the different technologies.

Apply AI/DL algorithms for automation of the LSO including “game theory” based algorithms for automatic negotiations between the network parts.

Add the NGSO constellations including MEO and LEO (and in the future vLEO) to the network.

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Main Stakeholders

Orchestrator providers (Amdocs), cloud management providers (Microsoft Azure), Satellite

operators (SES, Eutelsat, Avanti), satellite providers (TAS, ADS), Ground network providers (iDirect,

Gilat), standardization bodies. Terrestrial network providers.

5.4 Multi-link and Heterogeneous Transport

Suggested Roadmap

Table 5-4: TRL of Key Technologies in Multi-Link and Heterogeneous Transport

Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End


Connectivity. In the context of this project, connectivity for multi-linking and heterogeneous transport is the parallel configuration of at least one satellite link and one other link that

is either satellite or terrestrial. Service slices would be established

over these links that are co-ordinated by network management

functions.

3

Satellite and terrestrial slices managed by common orchestrator

Multiple satellite paths in different orbits

VNFs on-board satellites

MPTCP has been demonstrated over multi-links including GEO

satellite in this and other projects 5

MPTCP is mature and can be applied to satellite where necessary. Proxies can be deployed in

soft satellite payloads to optimised cost, throughput and resilience.

Application layer multi-linking is developed and demonstrated in the

lab in this project, with MPQUIC. This has throughput benefits over

MPTCP but has increased complexity

3

Work-arounds / solutions for congestion management, UDP and firewalls, and encryption.

MPQUIC over satellite capable of trials

MPQUIC over satellite capable of commercial use

Main Stakeholders

Main stakeholders are content distribution network providers, internet service providers

terrestrial and satellite network operators.

5.5 Harmonisation of SatCom with 5G Control and User Plane

Suggested Roadmap

Based on the analysis provided in Section 2.5 above, the table below presents the TRL of the

key enabling technologies for the harmonization of the SatCom with 5G control and user plane.

The information in the table is based on SaT5G results and other related scientific publications

as well as to 3GPP specification group RAN1 latest meeting documents about NTN.

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Table 5-5: TRL of Key Technologies in Harmonization of SatCom with 5G Control and User

Plane

Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End


Develop Integration Scenarios of Satellite into 5G [ETSI TR 103 611]

4 Scenario A4, A5

Scenario A3 Scenario A1, A2

Adaptation of Synchronization features for 5G NR over Satellite

4

alternative solutions, verification in satellite test bench

OTA validation

TBD

Adaptation of Random access features for 5G NR over Satellite

3 laboratory validation

OTA validation

TBD

Adaptation of Physical layer procedures for 5G NR over

Satellite (e.g., adaptation of power control, ACM, Channel State

Information (CSI))

3 further research

laboratory validation

OTA validation

Adaptation of MAC/RLC Procedures features for 5G NR over Satellite (e.g., User plane enhancements at MAC, RLC,

Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio resource Control

(RRC) level)

3 further research


OTA validation

Adaptation of HARQ features for 5G NR over Satellite

3 further research


OTA validation

Adaptation of Mobility management features for 5G NR over Satellite

(incl. Handover) 3

further research


OTA validation

Adaptation of Radio Resource Management core requirements for

5G NR over Satellite (e.g. cell phase synchronization, beam

management/switching, radio link monitoring & timing requirements,

…)

3 further research


OTA validation

Adaptations of 5G NR scheduling process for applicability over

Satellite

vendor based

solutions

further research


OTA validation

Adaptations of TA adjustment (incl.) TA in Random access

response message) for 5G NR over Satellite

3 laboratory validation

OTA validation

TBD

Adaptations of extended system information and common signalling

for 5G NR over Satellite 3

further research


OTA validation

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Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End


Validate specific solutions for 5G NR over Satellite in laboratory and

over-the-air conditions 4

In-lab emulation of 5G NR over Satellite

OTA validation pre-commercial trials of 5G NR over Satellite

Productize and commercialize specific Ground Segment solutions


COTS available satellite ground segment with 5G NR air-interface built-in

Productize and commercialize specific Space Segment solutions


5G gNB on-board satellite providing direct 3GPP access

Main Stakeholders

With reference to Section 4, the main stakeholders for the future roadmap of this research

pillar are the following:

3GPP Standardization Body,

Research organizations,

Satellite manufacturers,

Satellite network vendors,

Terrestrial (Mobile) network vendors,

Handset and chipset manufacturers.

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5.6 Extending 5G Security to Satellite

Suggested Roadmap

Table 5-6: TRL of Key Technologies in Extending 5G Security to SatCom

Technology TRL

@SaT5G End Short-Term Mid-Term Long-Term

Modifying security timers to allow for satellite latency

9

SaT5G confirmed that no action was needed, as latency only became an issue when there was

significantly higher packet errors requiring retransmissions than seen in operational satellite

links.

The use and implementation of a TNGF to enable trusted

relationships between 5GC and non-3GPP satellite

network

*

Research and development of TNGF integrated into satcom

systems in lab and over suitable test capacity leading to product

availability

The use of TLS rather than IPSec possibly by the

integration between satellite and 5G core network limited to

parts made visible using mcTLS (mcTLS stands for

multi-context TLS). We assess it a candidate solution for a

replacement of IPSec thanks to its support of (PEP) middle

boxes in trusted environments. mcTLS would be implemented at the Security GW (behind the

Satellite GW) and at the remote gNB.

*

Research and tests needed to understand the implications of this approach

If feasible then develop and testing leading to product and implementation

The extension of security and trust in to MANO and business

plane

*

MANO: Ongoing developments should be able to address this.

*

Business plane: Likely to be more ad hoc and

relationship driven at least early on. The broker (SaT5G Deliverable D2.3 [SaT5G D2.3]) may

have a role here

The interactions between 5G security mechanisms, DRM

and satellite enabled multicast content distribution

*

Investigate the technical, operational and commercial issues and drivers

Identify technical solutions, research, develop and test likely

Standardise and productise if appropriate

(*) Note that the * in the TRL column means the technology opportunity identified but not developed

within the SaT5G project.

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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Main Stakeholders

Likely to be a combination of research organisation, MNO and satellite communication

equipment vendor. The inclusion of an SNO may also be relevant.

5.7 Caching and Multicast for content and VNF distribution

Suggested Roadmap

Table 5-7: TRL of Key Technologies in Caching and Multicast for Content and VNF

Distribution

Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End


Support access to Live content and usage of online

progressive prefetching of

DASH (Dynamic Adaptive

Streaming over HTTP) and HLS

(HTTP Live Streaming) video segments through

cache nodes located at the

intelligent mobile edge and fed via Satellite links, for

achieving high user QoE.

2

Develop to increase scalability and reliability towards carrier grade.

Caching VNF placement, inter-cache mobility management.

Semi-autonomous deployment of caches and related CN nodes (VNFs) at the network edge. Satellite links co-ordinated with common MANO.

Adapt towards multiple links, both satellite and terrestrial. Server-controlled ABR streaming with feedback loop from mobile network (load and radio conditions).

Autonomous deployment of VNFs at network edge with satellite / terrestrial links fully integrated

AI and ML applied at cache node to congestion prediction for Server-controlled ABR streaming.

AI and ML will determine the special and temporal location of VNF caches and CN components within networks, including on software defined satellite payloads on MEO / LEO.

Provide a design to offline

preloading content objects (e.g. Video

on Demand contents) that are

predicted to be popular through

satellite links to be multicast to the

mobile edge and cache them for future localised content access.

3

Semi-autonomous deployment of caches and related CN nodes (VNFs) at the network edge. Satellite links co-ordinated with common MANO.

Autonomous deployment of VNFs at network edge with satellite / terrestrial links fully integrated

AI and ML will determine the special and temporal location of VNF caches and CN components within networks, including on software defined satellite payloads on MEO / LEO.

Multicast to network edge to

support distribution of VNF software

images

2

Modelling and simulations to assess required capacity and security processes

Processes designed and trialled for ground based VNFs

Deployment and upgrades of VNFs to include on-board satellite.

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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Technology

TRL

@SaT5G End


Use of multicast to populate and

refresh video and information caches

on moving platforms (e.g.

aircraft).

3

Commercial trials of information / content refresh on trains / planes using satellites in any orbit. Connections and slice management with co-operative MANO.

Automation of connections and service management across orbit types with integrated MANO.

AI and ML to set balance between live streaming and cached information to optimised performance / cost using present and predicted technical and commercial environment.

Main Stakeholders

Main stakeholders are terrestrial and satellite vendors, network operators and service

providers.

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6 Conclusions

The SaT5G project contributed to the integration of satellite communication into the 5G

ecosystem. By demonstrating the benefits of integrating satellite communication with

terrestrial networks, the project lays the foundations for better integration between terrestrial

and non-terrestrial components. The project advanced the technologies best serving the use

cases that were defined in the first stages of the project. The document describes the

suggestions for further research and developments that is required in order to improve the

integration of the satcom to be an integral part of the future network based on 5G. It estimates

the readiness level of each technology during the coming years.

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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7 References

[SaT5G] SaT5G Project Website: https://www.sat5g-project.eu/

[SaT5G D2.2] SaT5G Deliverable D2.2 “Business, Operational and Technical

Requirements for Satellite eMBB”, Available online at:

https://www.sat5g-project.eu/public-deliverables/

[SaT5G D2.3] SaT5G Deliverable D2.3 “Business Modelling and Techno-economic

Analysis of Satellite eMBB”, Available online at: https://www.sat5g-

project.eu/public-deliverables/

[SaT5G D4.1] SaT5G Deliverable D4.1 “Virtualization of Satcom Components –

Analysis, Design and Proof of Concepts”, Available online at:


[SaT5G D4.2] SaT5G Deliverable D4.2 “Integrated Network Management – Analysis,

Design and Proof of Concepts”, Available online at: https://www.sat5g-


[SaT5G D4.3] SaT5G Deliverable D4.3 “Multi-link and Heterogeneous Transport –

Analysis, Design and Proof of Concepts”, Available online at:


[SaT5G D4.4] SaT5G Deliverable D4.4 “Satcom & 5G Control/User Plane

Harmonisation – Mid- and Long-Term Approach”, Available online at:


[SaT5G D4.5] SaT5G Deliverable D4.5 “5G Security Mechanisms Extended to

Satellite Links”, Available online at: https://www.sat5g-


[SaT5G D4.5] SaT5G Deliverable D4.6 “Caching and Multicast – Analysis, Design

and Proof of Concepts”, Available online at: https://www.sat5g-


[ETSI TR 103 611] ETSI TR 103 611 “ Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES);

Seamless integration of satellite and/or HAPS (High Altitude Platform

Station) systems into 5G system”,

https://portal.etsi.org/webapp/WorkProgram/Report_WorkItem.asp?W

KI_ID=48242

[3GPP TR 38.811] 3GPP TR 38.811 “Study on New Radio (NR) to support non-terrestrial

networks”,https://portal.3gpp.org/desktopmodules/Specifications/Speci

ficationDetails.aspx?specificationId=3234

[3GPP TR 38.821] 3GPP TR 38.821 “Solutions for NR to support non-terrestrial

networks”,https://portal.3gpp.org/desktopmodules/Specifications/Speci

ficationDetails.aspx?specificationId=3525

[Eletimes] www.eletimes.com/immediate-future-satellite-communications

[Satellite today] http://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-february-

2018/eutelsats-belmer-video-still-holds-key-to-successful-future/

https://www.sat5g-project.eu/













https://portal.etsi.org/webapp/WorkProgram/Report_WorkItem.asp?WKI_ID=48242

https://portal.etsi.org/webapp/WorkProgram/Report_WorkItem.asp?WKI_ID=48242

https://portal.3gpp.org/desktopmodules/Specifications/SpecificationDetails.aspx?specificationId=3234




http://www.eletimes.com/immediate-future-satellite-communications

http://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-february-2018/eutelsats-belmer-video-still-holds-key-to-successful-future/

http://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/january-february-2018/eutelsats-belmer-video-still-holds-key-to-successful-future/

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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[Morgan Stanley] Space: Investment Implications of the Final Frontier,” URL https://fa.morganstanley.com/griffithwheelwrightgroup/mediahandler/media/106686/Space_%20Investment%20Implications%20of%20the%20Final%20Frontier.pdf

[Space News] https://spacenews.com/geo-satellite-orders-continued-to-underwhelm-

in-2018/

[ESA] https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2019/03/future-communication-

satellite.html, Based on: http://ctw2018.ieee-

ctw.org/files/2018/05/Challenges-in-future-satellite-communications-

v1.0.pdf

[ESA-5G] https://artes.esa.int/satellite-5g

[EC] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/203647/771732/Recognised-

research-entities.pdf

[TRL] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_level

[NGMN] https://www.ngmn.org/ngmn-news/press-release/ngmn-and-esoa-

sign-co-operation-agreement.html

[NETWORLD] https://www.networld2020.eu/satcom-wg/

[HORIZONS] https://horizons5g.com/

[SES-Microsoft] https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-extends-global-reach-

microsoft-azure-expressroute-multi-orbit-satellite-systems

[Liolis et al, IJSCN 2019] K. Liolis, A. Geurtz, R. Sperber, D. Schulz, S. Watts, G.

Poziopoulou, B. Evans, N. Wang, O. Vidal, B. Tiomela Jou, M. Fitch,

S. Sendra Diaz, P. Sayyad Khodashenas, N. Chuberre, “Use Cases

and Scenarios of 5G Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Networks for

Enhanced Mobile Broadband: The SaT5G Approach”, Wiley’s

International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking –

Special Issue, 2018;1–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/sat.1245

https://fa.morganstanley.com/griffithwheelwrightgroup/mediahandler/media/106686/Space_%20Investment%20Implications%20of%20the%20Final%20Frontier.pdf



https://spacenews.com/geo-satellite-orders-continued-to-underwhelm-in-2018/

https://spacenews.com/geo-satellite-orders-continued-to-underwhelm-in-2018/

https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2019/03/future-communication-satellite.html

https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2019/03/future-communication-satellite.html

http://ctw2018.ieee-ctw.org/files/2018/05/Challenges-in-future-satellite-communications-v1.0.pdf



https://artes.esa.int/satellite-5g

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/203647/771732/Recognised-research-entities.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/203647/771732/Recognised-research-entities.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_level

https://www.ngmn.org/ngmn-news/press-release/ngmn-and-esoa-sign-co-operation-agreement.html

https://www.ngmn.org/ngmn-news/press-release/ngmn-and-esoa-sign-co-operation-agreement.html

https://www.networld2020.eu/satcom-wg/

https://horizons5g.com/

https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-extends-global-reach-microsoft-azure-expressroute-multi-orbit-satellite-systems

https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-extends-global-reach-microsoft-azure-expressroute-multi-orbit-satellite-systems

https://doi.org/10.1002/sat.1245

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

Appendix A: Roadmap for Other Technologies

A.1 Overview

In order to support the identified use cases and not be a blocking point for the satellite – 5G

integration, future satellite system should evolve to be 5G ready in particular by implementing

the following features/technologies:

Flexibility: further flexibility will be required at the space segment level in order to be

aligned with the flexibility developed on the ground to support some key 5G

requirements such as dynamic resources allocation. Such flexibility at a space

segment level can be achieved thanks to the development of future satellite techniques

such as digital channelization and DBFN payloads combined with advanced active

antennas, beam hopping, dynamic analogue beamforming networks, etc.)

Multi-topology: another form of flexibility is to enable different topologies to be better

adapted to the different use cases. This implies being able to provide star topologies

but also mesh and DTH type of missions to better exploit the satellite offered capacity.

This again implies the development of processor capabilities at payload side to allow

such versatility.

High capacity: the various identified uses cases and the wide range of target

applications to cover, imply the increase of required satellite capacity without giving up

on flexibility. New technologies and space architectures allowing consequent increase

of satellite capacity are investigated and provided by satellite manufactures. Typically,

the combination of higher amplification efficiency, high capability platforms (i.e.

Payload available power, mass,), high throughput optical feeder links and advanced

payload photonics.

Resiliency: The satellite system can be a great complement to terrestrial connectivity

and can provide resiliency to terrestrial network thanks to its high coverage capability.

However, to assume such a role, the satellite system itself needs to improve its

reliability by proving multi-layer connectivity (mix GEO and non-GEO orbits, HAPS),

inter-satellite links, gateway diversity to improve availability, etc.

Embed gNB: some integration scenarios access embedded gNB. The satellite space

segment should implement appropriated technologies and features to validate this

assessment. This will require in particular to building regenerative payload with very

high capability processors. Other technologies that are relevant for satellite

communication integrated with 5G and may be even beyond 5G that are not part of

the SaT5G project scope.

The following sections overview such other technologies to achieve the above objectives:

A1.1 Dynamic Resource Allocation

This technology allocates the required resources in the whole network to best serve the current

and near future network requirements that depends on the services and applications required

and the network status.

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A1.2 Beam Hopping

This technology allocates the required power to the appropriate amplifier on board the satellite

and thus dynamically shift power between the different beams. It allows allocation of additional

power to the more occupied beams.

A1.3 Direct Radiating Arrays (DRA)

This technology allows dynamic definition of the antenna beams. Beam forming is a very

useful way to allocate/direct power to the directions required. The dynamic nature of the

technology allows the link optimization according to user needs.

A1.4 Deep Learning

By learning the network behaviour, the technology allows the network to better predict the

needs for the near future and thus to “prepare and allocate” the network resources to best

serve the network users.

A1.5 Optical Communications

Optical communications between the Gateway and the satellites and/or between the satellites

allow the transferring of much higher bandwidth through the link, especially compared to the

radio frequencies that are being used for the users’ beams.

A1.6 MEC

Mobile Edge Computing or Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) enables performing virtual

functions closer to the Edge, thus reducing the latency for the relevant operation. In SaT5G

the concept was developed and demonstrated by multicast content and VF to the MEC. More

power and functions towards the MEC will allow efficient and timely response and also, in

some cases, reduce the traffic through the network.

A1.7 On-Board Processing (OBP)

The traditional telecommunication satellites are usually transparent, they amplify the received

signal, change its frequency, amplify it further and transmit it back to earth. Different levels of

OBP are being considered. Channelizers allocate every frequency to the appropriate

channel/direction. Full OBP is technology that demodulates the received signal and route the

signal to the appropriate port according to its destination. This allows improvement of the link

budget and allows routing the appropriate traffic according to its destination. Future satellites

might use optical processing. This will be beneficial for processing of signals that are received

through an optical feeder link and routed to the appropriate link, may it be ISL (inter satellite

link), or other. When considering OBP, the challenge is to have a powerful processing

mechanism while meeting the Size, Weight, and Power constrains of the satellite.

A1.8 Inter Satellite Links (ISLs)

The inter satellite links allows traffic routing between the satellites. In mega constellations, this

capability allows transferring data from point to point sometimes faster than using fibre optic

links. This is mainly due to the velocity of light different between free space and through fibre.

ISL can be considered in different frequency bands, radio and/or optic.

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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In a multi-layer architecture ISL may also connect between the layers (LEO, MEO, HAPS and

GEO).

A1.9 Software Defined Satellites

A small number of satellite operators and satellite manufactures drive the trend of S/W defined

satellites. This technology will allow for much easier and cheaper satellite manufacturing. The

S/W will define many of the satellite functions including the radio and networking. Higher layers

may be implemented within the satellite itself. This technology will allow also the modifications

and improvements of the satellite performance while in orbit. Thus the beams may be

redefined and formed, new functionalities might be downloaded (or uploaded) to the satellites

and change and improve its functions and performance etc.

A1.10 Electronically Steerable Antennas

Electronically steerable antennas are desirable for a number of reasons. They are more

reliable then the mechanical solutions, they are usually flat and thus fits much better for

different scenarios. Tracking antennas are required for “On the move” solutions/terminals such

as airplanes and for tracking the satellites that are Non Geo (MEO and/or LEO). There are

few technologies that aim to fit to the requirements including those that are based on Meta

Materials or phased arrays etc. There are some solutions that use hybrid solutions based on

a combination of mechanical and electrical steering. There are some solutions that are

available for commercial and defence usage. However, there is a need for further research

and developments in order to meet the cost targets and the performance required. The NGSO

constellations depend on the electronically steerable antenna solutions as they are using fast

rotating satellites. One suggestion is to have an affordable beam forming antenna for the

terminals that will support few beams simultaneously.

A1.11 HAPS

High altitude platforms are a direction that is being discussed for years now. There have been

few attempts to operate balloons and/or UAVs. These days, HAPS in some context stands for

High Altitude Pseudo Satellites. The main advantage is the very low delay. Some directions

are considering allocating a number of the core networks functions on board the HAPS. Some

are considering direct communication between the UE and the HAPS. There are still many

barriers that require technological solutions in order to allow large scale exploitation of HAPS.

Few directions call for an architecture where satellites in various orbits cooperate with HAPS

and GEO in a multi-layer approach.

A1.12 NGSO Constellations

Most of the communication satellites are orbiting the earth in the geo stationary belt. Recent

trends call for new constellations of satellites that orbit the earth in LEO and MEO. These

solutions are much more complicated as they require dynamic solutions of tracking, routing,

etc. However, the main advantage is the low latency. SES already owns a MEO satellite

constellation known as o3B. SES announced that they are in the process of empowering the

capabilities by more powerful satellites that will have much more capacity and capabilities.

The new satellites are known as mPower. LEO constellations are being considered by different

companies like Amazon, SpaceX, Telesat, OneWeb and others. The new constellations

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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promise is significant and the technology that includes ISL will allow extreme broadband with

a global coverage and very low latency.

A1.13 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Quantum Key Distribution is a promising way to distribute encryption keys in a quantum

communication. Quantum, communication has limited range/distance. By using satellite

communication, keys might be distributed to long distances depends on the satellite coverage.

QKD will be crucial when quantum, computing will be used. Quantum communication has the

phenomena that eavesdropping can be detected.

A1.14 Beyond 5G (B5G)

The mobile standards are planned to be further evolved. New mobile technologies are already

being researched in order to improve the mobility capabilities. Satellite communication should

be part of the eco system and the relevant standards in order to allow the network of networks

to benefit from the satellite communication capabilities.

A2 Roadmap

The other technologies overviewed above were not part of the SaT5G project scope. However,

they are relevant to the roadmap that will improve the satellite and terrestrial integration in the

future. Their suggested roadmap including the TRL levels and the expected time frame is

summarised in the following table.

Table A-1 : TRL for Other Technologies (Beyond SaT5G Scope)

Technology Estimated

TRL @SaT5G End


Dynamic Resource allocation

3

Allocate resources according to the needs. Apply for fixed infrastructure supporting “on the move” terminals. Allocate the resources t

Algorithms for end to end resource allocation including the terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial parts.

Include allocation of the resources in the satellites including NGSO constellations.

Beam Hopping 4

Apply the BH in the satellite and the ground infrastructure.

Direct Radiating Arrays (DRA)

4 Apply beam steering in the satellites by DRA.

Add Digital Beam Forming capabilities.

Deep Learning for improved forecast

3 Algorithms for traffic forecast

Algorithms for better improvement of the communication usage.

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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Technology Estimated

TRL @SaT5G End


Optical communication

3 Optical links for the feeder links.

Optic ISL in NGSO constellations.

User links. Terminals with Optic links. ISL between constellation layers.

MEC 4

Enhance terminals by MEC capabilities (examples demonstrated by SaT5G).

Enhanced, powerful and dynamic MECs

MEC on board the HAPS.

OBP 3 Channelizer. Regenerative including routing. Capabilities

Software defined. Optic processing.

ISL 2

Between NGSO in the same orbit and neighbouring orbits.

Between crossing orbits.

Between different layers.

Software Defined Satellites

3 Basic software defined

SDR, SDN, NFV on board

“Cloud like” satellites.

Electronically Steerable Antennas

4 On the move applications

Multi beam and beam forming for Operation with

HAPS 2 HAPS as backhauling to cellular

Direct access to HAPSs (access point on board the HAPS

NGSO constellations 2 LEO Constellations and new MEO without ISL

LEO constellations with ISL

Software defined satellites

QKD 2 QKD through satellites

B5G 1

Full integration between terrestrial and satellite for Beyond 5G

6G and beyond utilising direct communication between the EU and the satellites

SaT5G (761413) D6.1 January 2020

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[END OF DOCUMENT]

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