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StatusOngoing
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Status date2025-06-27
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Activity Code3A.154
This project studies the feasibility of using satellite communications for the Next-Generation Emergency Call (NG-eCall) system. The following objectives are covered by the activity:
- Identification of an accident scenario of interest for the use of satellite communications for NG-eCall.
- Analyse and model satellite channel conditions between a User Terminal (UT) and LEO/GEO satellites. This includes examining impairments such as Doppler shift, multipath shadowing, fading, and noise, and assessing their impact on communication in the selected scenario.
- Definition of an End-to-End system architecture aligned with the chosen accident scenario, including NG-eCall related elements (In-Vehicle-System (IVS), Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)), as well as satellite communications network and terrestrial network.
- Creation of a testbed to emulate accident scenario conditions, translating the satellite channel impairments into network impairments, and using an Emulator for establishing a real-time NG112 eCall communication between an IVS and PSAP.
- The testbed includes alternative bearers for testing the NG-eCall system components.
- Private 5G networks – Enabling 5G testing capability for IVS manufacturers that want to include 5G modems in their devices and prototypes.
- Commercial satellite networks – Enabling real-world testing with existing satellite networks and UTs, validating the design and specifications derived from the emulation.
A key challenge in the current NG-eCall system is limited coverage in rural and remote areas due to reliance on terrestrial cellular networks. This project explores using satellite communications to enable NG112 eCall where cellular service is unavailable, enhancing coverage and resilience. A hybrid terrestrial-satellite approach ensures real-time emergency response and enriched data transmission. However, satellite integration poses challenges, including signal impairments, latency, antenna limitations, and compliance with NG-eCall standards. Additionally, the lack of testbeds for simulating emergency scenarios under varied network conditions hinders performance evaluation and support for European manufacturers.
Since June 2018, EU regulations require all new cars and light commercial vehicles to be equipped with eCall technology, which automatically contacts emergency services (112) after an accident. These calls are routed via cellular networks to public safety answering points (PSAPs). However, limited cellular coverage in remote areas can delay emergency response.
To address this, a hybrid approach combining terrestrial and satellite communications is being explored. Satellite-enabled NG-eCall systems aim to provide seamless emergency services across all regions, overcoming geographic limitations and enhancing safety, the enhanced resiliency thanks to terrestrial and satellite communications ensures the stability and reliability of this critical system, which can be life-saving. This work investigates the requirements for enabling NG-eCall over satellite, evaluating performance across low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite networks. A key objective is to develop a testbed that simulates accident scenarios and varying network conditions – such as high latency, low data rates, or packet loss – to assess system performance for in-vehicle systems (IVSs), PSAPs, and equipment manufacturers.
Given the rapid evolution in satellite technology, including LEO constellations and direct-to-satellite links, this work also supports revising the NG-eCall over Satellite Technical Specification to reflect current advancements and contribute to future standards.
This work analyses the satellite communication channel between user terminals (UTs) and LEO/GEO satellites, focusing on physical impairments such as Doppler shift, multipath shadowing, fading, and noise. These factors are evaluated for their impact on NG-eCall communications, particularly in accident scenarios like vehicle rollovers.
The Emulator translates these physical-layer effects into network-layer impairments – such as latency and packet loss during NG-eCall sessions. This enables realistic testing conditions, supporting the design and validation of NG-eCall devices and software.
A custom-developed in-vehicle system (IVS) replicates real-world functionality, allowing users to initiate emergency calls via an SOS button or simulate automatic NG-eCall activation triggered by a collision. The testbed integrates a commercially certified European PSAP software, ensuring realistic end-to-end communication.
To enhance realism, the testbed includes private 5G networks and commercial satellite communication links. The 5G environment allows IVS manufacturers to test integrated 5G modems under controlled conditions. Meanwhile, commercial satellite connectivity enables real-time testing of IVS performance over operational networks.
Together, these components create a comprehensive NG-eCall testbed, enabling evaluation of system performance across diverse scenarios and network conditions, and supporting the development of robust, satellite-compatible emergency communication solutions.
The system consists of several key components:
- In-Vehicle System (IVS): Installed in vehicles to support NG-eCall services, the testbed uses a prototype IVS (non-automotive grade) for flexibility. It allows users to manually trigger emergency calls via an SOS button and simulate automatic activation.
- Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP): A software system that receives NG-eCall, displays vehicle data (e.g., location), and enables communication with occupants, supporting emergency response coordination.
- Satellite Network Emulator: Simulates satellite communication conditions, including Doppler shift, multipath, and other impairments. It translates these into network-level effects like latency and packet loss, focusing on LEO satellite scenarios to evaluate NG-eCall performance under realistic conditions.
- 5G and Commercial Satellite Terminals: Provide alternative communication paths, enabling performance testing of NG-eCall across diverse networks and conditions.
- IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): Manages NG-eCalls and ensures delivery to the PSAP. A basic IMS setup supporting registration and call procedures is used, as full NG-eCall compliance (e.g., E-CSCF) is beyond this project’s scope.
Seteria project life cycle consists of 4 major milestones with its deliverables as follows:
- Milestone 1: Define use cases, scenarios, user needs, and benefits over current solutions. Establish detailed, traceable technical requirements to prove objectives are fully met.
- Milestone 2: Select the most promising technical baseline. Develop a detailed design and validate it through analysis, simulation, or testing to meet all technical requirements.
- Milestone 3: Create detailed implementation and test plans. Build deliverables, measure performance through testing, and verify compliance with all technical specifications and requirements.
- Milestone 4: Perform a critical assessment of the potential of the developed items for commercial exploitation. Establish a development plan to further raise their TRL and thereby bring them to market readiness.
The project has reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, having been validated through comprehensive end-to-end testing in a laboratory environment, incorporating both network integration and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) factors. The stability of the NG-eCall system was demonstrated through a seamless failover mechanism between 5G and satellite connectivity, including effective management of inter-satellite link handovers.
We are now entering the final phase, which involves preparing documentation outlining the future roadmap for NG-eCall, as well as exploring potential commercialisation pathways. This includes establishing a detailed development plan aimed at advancing the TRL further and progressing the solution towards market readiness.
