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5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks: From Early Results to the Road Ahead

Mattia Figaro, Francesco Rossato, Marco Giordani, Alessandro Traspadini, Takayuki Shimizu, Chinmay Mahabal, Sanjeewa Herath, Chunghan Lee, Dogan Kutay Pekcan, Michele Zorzi

TL;DR

This paper surveys 3GPP 5G NR-NTN standardization from Rel. 17 through Rel. 20 and presents a full-stack end-to-end evaluation of NTN scenarios using ns-3 simulations calibrated to 3GPP data. It compares regenerative payload NTN in LEO and GEO orbits across S and Ka bands, showing Ka-band yields higher throughput while GEO provides wider coverage at the cost of latency. LEO can reach up to about 300 Mbps end-to-end and GEO up to about 450 Mbps in Ka, with PDR and latency shaped by Doppler, propagation delay, and congestion; S-band remains more robust but offers lower throughput due to narrower bandwidth. The study demonstrates the viability of NTN for remote and emergency connectivity, discusses trade-offs between orbit, frequency band, and payload type, and makes the ns-3-NTN tool openly available for reproducibility while outlining future avenues for GNSS resilience, Phase 4 voice, and early 6G considerations.

Abstract

This paper overviews the 3GPP 5G NR-NTN standard, detailing the evolution from Rel. 18 to 19 and innovations for Rel. 20. Using realistic ns-3 simulations validated against 3GPP calibration data, we evaluate various satellite network configurations. The results highlight the potential of NTNs to extend wireless connectivity to remote areas, serve requests during emergency, and alleviate terrestrial network congestion.

5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks: From Early Results to the Road Ahead

TL;DR

This paper surveys 3GPP 5G NR-NTN standardization from Rel. 17 through Rel. 20 and presents a full-stack end-to-end evaluation of NTN scenarios using ns-3 simulations calibrated to 3GPP data. It compares regenerative payload NTN in LEO and GEO orbits across S and Ka bands, showing Ka-band yields higher throughput while GEO provides wider coverage at the cost of latency. LEO can reach up to about 300 Mbps end-to-end and GEO up to about 450 Mbps in Ka, with PDR and latency shaped by Doppler, propagation delay, and congestion; S-band remains more robust but offers lower throughput due to narrower bandwidth. The study demonstrates the viability of NTN for remote and emergency connectivity, discusses trade-offs between orbit, frequency band, and payload type, and makes the ns-3-NTN tool openly available for reproducibility while outlining future avenues for GNSS resilience, Phase 4 voice, and early 6G considerations.

Abstract

This paper overviews the 3GPP 5G NR-NTN standard, detailing the evolution from Rel. 18 to 19 and innovations for Rel. 20. Using realistic ns-3 simulations validated against 3GPP calibration data, we evaluate various satellite network configurations. The results highlight the potential of NTNs to extend wireless connectivity to remote areas, serve requests during emergency, and alleviate terrestrial network congestion.
Paper Structure (4 sections, 3 equations, 2 figures, 2 tables)

This paper contains 4 sections, 3 equations, 2 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Elements
  2. Payload types
  3. Channel and antenna
  4. Frequency bands

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: 3GPP NTN architectures: transparent (top) and regenerative (bottom). Dashed lines are NR interfaces stretching over multiple links.
  • Figure 2: End-to-end throughput, packet delivery ratio, and latency at the application layer vs. the source rate $R$. We focus on a regenerative payload architecture, and consider a LEO satellite at $h=600$ km vs. a GEO satellite at $h=35\,786$ km, in both S and Ka bands.