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Objectives
SATBETT-5G shall investigate the satellite backhauling as a solution for 5G mobile networks, using a 5G gNodeB equipment together with LASTING’s Software satellite development hub in Timisoara, Romania.
Through this activity LASTING Software aims to support MNOs in their endeavor to offer connectivity to remote areas by extending their network coverage via reliable satellite backhauling.
Challenges
The integration and interoperability of satellite and mobile networks have historically been challenging due to technical incompatibilities and differing standards. Achieving high throughput on standalone networks, 5G via Fiber Optics backhauling, and Satellite Network on the other part, does not guarantee that the highest throughput available is achieved when both are interconnected. The main challenge for LASTING Software is to adapt and fine-tune the parameters involved: enable acceleration at different levels (GTP, IP, TCP), enable header compression, prioritise traffic based on source and destination ports and/or IP at class level so BestEffort traffic like ping for example to be less important than TCP if this we would consider it RealTimeTraffic as well as to perform multiple tests before being able to present conclusive results, considering all types of traffic and corresponding protocols (udp, tcp, ping, http), classes of traffic (besteffort vs realtimetraffic), accelerated vs no-accelerated.
System Architecture
The main products or elements are described below.
Satellite Network and Mobile Network
Full environment provides the capabilities of emulating transmission over a satellite link with all the necessary features and functionalities like traffic acceleration, header compression, traffic encryption, different types of traffic optimization.
Satellite Channel Emulator
Satellite channel profiles are defined and a UI used to setup the parameters related to channels characteristics.
Application Server
A server running a stable Linux release capable of supporting diverse types of client-server applications like web server, FTP server, storage capabilities, video client-server for streaming and any other application required for traffic-based tests.
Traffic generator and Reporting Application
Cross-platform mobile app, capable of generating diverse types of traffic via the application server and measure various network performance metrics (e.g. throughput, latency).
Plan
There are two major milestones, at T0+4 (MS1) and T0+8 (FR).
At MS1, the satellite network platform and the channel emulator shall be upgraded and a preliminary integration between the 5G and satellite networks should be performed. Also, a first draft version of the traffic generator solution should be available.
At FR, the integration of the mobile and satellite networks should be complete, and a final version of the traffic generator solution should be used to validate the solution and the E2E test plan.
Current Status
The SATBETT5G activity is completed in December 2021.
The main achievements are:
- 5G network and satcom network integration
- Traffic generator application – measures network performance afferent to various protocol types
- Chanel Emulator new wrapper interface – load custom LEO and MEO profiles (default is GEO)
- Theoretical model for LEO and MEO profiles
- Performance on E2E accelerated 5G traffic over satellite system (TCP, UDP, FTP, HTTP, ICMP)
The SATBET5G is followed-up by further development of the associated enhanced technologies in ARTES INSTANT5G activity.
