Our vision in action
5G-Hub: Driving goals for lasting impact!
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Driving goals for lasting impact!
Here, you will find a clear overview of the goals driving our initiative. These objectives serve as the foundation of our efforts, guiding every decision and action toward achieving meaningful results. By setting clear and measurable targets, we aim to address key challenges, foster innovation, and create a lasting positive impact. Explore below to discover how our vision translates into actionable steps
Objective 1: Definition of the integrated architecture and relevant use cases of G-HUB with 5G NTN
A GOVSATCOM User Equipment (UE) is served by either the Terrestrial Network (TN) or NTN; NTN is used when/where the TN connectivity is unavailable or does not guarantee bandwidth, capacity, and reliability requirements. The GOVSATCOM smart gateway can inform the user about TN and NTN connectivity. This objective concerns the capability of the G-HUB to satisfy a new subscriber by allocating resources based on a connectivity request made by the GOVSATCOM authorized users. This objective will be achieved for specific use cases to be identified in the first part of the project.
Objective 2: Satisfy GOVSATCOM UE service needs based on 5G NTN or TN connectivity
This objective is to design and develop the smart gateway (logically connected with User Plane Functions (UPF) and Policy Control Functions (PCF) of the 5G core network) suitable to provide key network functions to support the integration of TN and NTN networks. The smart gateway will be designed in a way that supports seamless traffic steering from NTN and TN and vice versa (Vertical HandOver procedure, VHO).
Objective 3: Development of the interoperability network functions for interfacing G-HUB and 5G CN
This objective deals with the design of the interface network functions around the G-HUB, a service broker mediating between the service provider and the available network resources and the 5G CN. The G-HUB has the task of monitoring the allocated resources in the NTN and taking care of resource allocations when a new UE needs and deallocations when the UE can be reconnected to the TN. The G-HUB through the interface function has to map a new service request to the NTN resources in terms of bit-rate, service priority, and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Moreover, during the time the GOVSATCOM UE is connected via NTN, the G-HUB monitors the radio link conditions to ensure stable and reliable connectivity via NTN.
Objective 4: Development of a unified NTN 3GPP Rel. 17 compliant UE terminal able to operate in X and Ku bands
NTN allows end-to-end seamless satellite connections around the world and was introduced by 3GPP (Release 17). This opens a new communication paradigm where both TN and NTN must be deployed together. Then, this objective includes designing and deploying a unified NTN GOVSATCOM UE complaint to 3GPP Release 17. The unified terminal will be able to monitor a handover reference signal, which allows it to re-adapt its configuration and network changes. The handover reference signal indicates which NTN or TN is available based on performance metrics such as link availability, latency, or data rate. Additionally, the terminal will be implemented using a software defined radio platform and operating in X and Ku bands
Objective 5: Demonstrate the End-to-End G-HUB operation in a 5G NTN network with final users
We aim to develop a Technology-Readiness Level (TRL) 7 prototype of our system to be used in field demonstrations where the G-HUB has to operate via different NTN and TN networks, guaranteeing the same level of performance in terms of service accessibility, resource allocation, QoS guarantee, and seamless VHO. 5G-HUB will make part of its results available to the scientific community and the general public.