Earlier this year, at MWC Barcelona, we unveiled an end-to-end Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN-NR) testbed, merging the top UE emulator VIAVI TM500 with the premier base station emulator Rohde & Schwarz CMX500. [Quelle: VIAVI]
Excitement for satellite services is soaring, as revealed by a recent Light Reading survey. A whopping 46% of operators are incredibly eager to roll out "direct-to-cell" services within the next three years. [Quelle: VIAVI]
5G non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have quickly moved from the drawing board into orbit, with a market size expected to increase from $4 billion to around $34 billion by 2030.
But as we reach for the stars, launching equipment into space remains risky and expensive, requiring meticulous evaluation for mission success.
Performance validation is a must when deploying new systems. Just as terrestrial systems follow standard practices, the satellite industry must also prioritize informed decision-making.
Testing non-terrestrial networks presents unique challenges. Constellations spanning different orbits (such as LEO, MEO, and GEO) and constantly moving cells make uninterrupted connectivity a complex task. Overcoming challenges such as delay, Doppler effect, budget disparities in the link, and shifting capacity on the ground is essential for seamless performance.
It's in the lab where these aspects should be addressed, by replicating real-world conditions to determine the optimal setup for success.
At VIAVI, we perform component, functional-level, and end-to-end testing following 3GPP specifications. Our lab testing solution covers diverse scenarios and mobility patterns, essential for evaluating functional splits. From AI-driven operations optimization to integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks with digital twins, we are pioneering test solutions for seamless cellular space connectivity.
