Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DYNASAT (DYNAmic spectrum sharing and bandwidth-efficient techniques for high-throughput MIMO SATellite systems)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-12-01 al 2023-03-31
Satellite Communications (SatCom) support Europe’s ambition to deploy smart and sustainable networks and services for its digital economy. The inclusion of a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) in 5G ecosystem improved system flexibility, adaptability, and extended coverage. NTN enables wireless connectivity anywhere, anytime, on any device. Addressing challenges through research and innovation is crucial for a unified T/NTN infrastructure for Beyond 5G communications.
In this framework, the DYNASAT Project aimed at researching, developing, and demonstrating techniques for bandwidth- efficient transmission and efficient spectrum usage for a high-throughput 5G satellite access network infrastructure, based on advanced NGSO-mega-constellations and able to provide 5G services and applications directly to mass market and professional user equipment, e.g. smart-phones, in areas beyond cellular coverage.
To this aim, the DYNASAT Project targeted nine main objectives:
1. Evaluate the performance gain of the use of bandwidth efficient transmission techniques in a NGSO-based 5G satellite access system providing eMBB services to mass market 5G devices (e.g. smartphones).
2. Evaluate the performance gain of the use of cellular/satellite spectrum sharing techniques enabling the operation of a NGSO-based 5G satellite access system concurrently with a cellular system in the same frequency band.
3. Assessment of the implementation feasibility of bandwidth efficient transmission techniques and spectrum sharing techniques for efficient spectrum usage in a practical system.
4. Demonstrate the isolated operation of spectrum sharing techniques on a DSA software system and bandwidth efficient transmission techniques on a portable RAN lab software demonstration platform at EuCNC 20221.
5. Define and plan an in-orbit demonstration of the developed bandwidth efficient and spectrum sharing techniques.
6. Demonstrate the integrated operation of bandwidth efficient transmission techniques and spectrum sharing techniques for efficient spectrum usage with a portable RAN lab software demonstration platform at MWC 2023.
7. Promote future work on multi-satellite cooperative multiuser MIMO and spectrum sharing techniques in the 3GPP community and get a 3GPP NTN Release 18 work item approved at TSG-RAN plenary.
8. Successfully execute the 3GPP NTN Release 18 standardisation of multi-satellite cooperative multiuser MIMO and spectrum sharing techniques in the 3GPP TSG-RAN working groups supported by simulation results.
9. Contribute to the preparation of WRC 2023 in order to promote the evolution of the regulatory framework needed to support efficient spectrum sharing between Satellite and Mobile Services in the targeted bands allocated to satellite and/or mobile services.
In this framework, the DYNASAT Project aimed at researching, developing, and demonstrating techniques for bandwidth- efficient transmission and efficient spectrum usage for a high-throughput 5G satellite access network infrastructure, based on advanced NGSO-mega-constellations and able to provide 5G services and applications directly to mass market and professional user equipment, e.g. smart-phones, in areas beyond cellular coverage.
To this aim, the DYNASAT Project targeted nine main objectives:
1. Evaluate the performance gain of the use of bandwidth efficient transmission techniques in a NGSO-based 5G satellite access system providing eMBB services to mass market 5G devices (e.g. smartphones).
2. Evaluate the performance gain of the use of cellular/satellite spectrum sharing techniques enabling the operation of a NGSO-based 5G satellite access system concurrently with a cellular system in the same frequency band.
3. Assessment of the implementation feasibility of bandwidth efficient transmission techniques and spectrum sharing techniques for efficient spectrum usage in a practical system.
4. Demonstrate the isolated operation of spectrum sharing techniques on a DSA software system and bandwidth efficient transmission techniques on a portable RAN lab software demonstration platform at EuCNC 20221.
5. Define and plan an in-orbit demonstration of the developed bandwidth efficient and spectrum sharing techniques.
6. Demonstrate the integrated operation of bandwidth efficient transmission techniques and spectrum sharing techniques for efficient spectrum usage with a portable RAN lab software demonstration platform at MWC 2023.
7. Promote future work on multi-satellite cooperative multiuser MIMO and spectrum sharing techniques in the 3GPP community and get a 3GPP NTN Release 18 work item approved at TSG-RAN plenary.
8. Successfully execute the 3GPP NTN Release 18 standardisation of multi-satellite cooperative multiuser MIMO and spectrum sharing techniques in the 3GPP TSG-RAN working groups supported by simulation results.
9. Contribute to the preparation of WRC 2023 in order to promote the evolution of the regulatory framework needed to support efficient spectrum sharing between Satellite and Mobile Services in the targeted bands allocated to satellite and/or mobile services.
In the first phase of the Study, a detailed review of technologies and specifications for bandwidth-efficient communications was performed. Three major technologies were identified: Coordinated and Non-Coordinated Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), centralised and federated Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) via satellite, and Multi-Connectivity (MC). Evaluations highlighted their benefits for 5G services, including extended coverage, efficient spectrum sharing, capacity gain, and improved user throughput. These technologies were assessed in the DYNASAT NGSO constellation, designed by Thales Alenia Space for global 5G connectivity.
MC and Coordinated/Non-Coordinated DSA in NGSO systems have been demonstrated at EuCNC 2022 (with preliminary evaluations) and at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023. MC and C-DSA were implemented using a remote simulation environment developed by Magister solutions, while NC-DSA was demonstrated via a web-based spectrum sharing tool developed by Fairspectrum. The demonstrations gathered a great interest in both events, further substantiating the excellent results obtained in the DYNASAT Project.
A detailed description on the validation activities and plans in preparation of a potential In-Orbit Validation (IoV) of the DYNASAT system, as well as the demonstration of various use cases, has been developed based on the thorough performance assessment of the considered bandwidth-efficient techniques. Such report provides a selection among different IoV configuration options with respect to the resources in orbit, the definition of the test payload to be embarked, the test platform elements, and the identification of the necessary actions to access the spectrum during the experiment.
In the framework of 3GPP standardisation, since 3GPP RAN#94-e, several Rel. 18 Work Items (WIs) have been initiated related to NTN. Thales Alenia Space France is a leading force in the definition of the NTN specifications, including new Study or Work Items and technical contributions, also based on the analyses performed in the DYNASAT project. In particular, such contributions are mainly focusing on MC and spectrum sharing solutions; with respect to MIMO, which in 3GPP nomenclature is referred to as Coherent Joint Transmission, no specific WI/SI was identified in Rel. 18, while it might be addressed in Rel. 19 or 20. This is also motivated by the priority given to Non-Coherent solutions, which allow to relax the tight time and frequency synchronisation among the cooperating nodes.
Finally, from a regulatory perspective, the work performed in the DYNASAT Project allowed to bring forward the idea of satellite-terrestrial IMT systems by taking advantage of the development of a Satellite Radio Interface at ITU level. The DYNASAT analyses support the current development of the Vision and Requirements for the satellite component of IMT-2020 within ITU and allow to promote the international recognition of the 5G NR interface.
MC and Coordinated/Non-Coordinated DSA in NGSO systems have been demonstrated at EuCNC 2022 (with preliminary evaluations) and at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023. MC and C-DSA were implemented using a remote simulation environment developed by Magister solutions, while NC-DSA was demonstrated via a web-based spectrum sharing tool developed by Fairspectrum. The demonstrations gathered a great interest in both events, further substantiating the excellent results obtained in the DYNASAT Project.
A detailed description on the validation activities and plans in preparation of a potential In-Orbit Validation (IoV) of the DYNASAT system, as well as the demonstration of various use cases, has been developed based on the thorough performance assessment of the considered bandwidth-efficient techniques. Such report provides a selection among different IoV configuration options with respect to the resources in orbit, the definition of the test payload to be embarked, the test platform elements, and the identification of the necessary actions to access the spectrum during the experiment.
In the framework of 3GPP standardisation, since 3GPP RAN#94-e, several Rel. 18 Work Items (WIs) have been initiated related to NTN. Thales Alenia Space France is a leading force in the definition of the NTN specifications, including new Study or Work Items and technical contributions, also based on the analyses performed in the DYNASAT project. In particular, such contributions are mainly focusing on MC and spectrum sharing solutions; with respect to MIMO, which in 3GPP nomenclature is referred to as Coherent Joint Transmission, no specific WI/SI was identified in Rel. 18, while it might be addressed in Rel. 19 or 20. This is also motivated by the priority given to Non-Coherent solutions, which allow to relax the tight time and frequency synchronisation among the cooperating nodes.
Finally, from a regulatory perspective, the work performed in the DYNASAT Project allowed to bring forward the idea of satellite-terrestrial IMT systems by taking advantage of the development of a Satellite Radio Interface at ITU level. The DYNASAT analyses support the current development of the Vision and Requirements for the satellite component of IMT-2020 within ITU and allow to promote the international recognition of the 5G NR interface.
The DYNASAT Project focused on the following bandwidth-efficient technologies: i) Coordinated and Non-Coordinated DSA; ii) MU-MIMO via NTN; and iii) MC.
Regarding DSA, two approaches were designed: coordinated spectrum sharing and non-coordinated spectrum sharing. Coordinated sharing allows overlap but requires bandwidth removal from the terrestrial network. Non-coordinated sharing needs an exclusion zone. Both approaches extend 5G coverage using satellites.
For MU-MIMO, novel location-based algorithms reduce overhead and computational effort. Federated MU-MIMO improves capacity and reliability for non-Line-of-Sight handheld terminals.
For MC, an activation algorithm boosts throughput for users with low spectral efficiency. Evaluation showed gains of up to 20% on average data rate and 83.5% for user experience.
The new technologies and features developed in the DYNASAT Project allow to enhance the economy for direct-to-handset space connectivity systems and satellite mega-constellations (>100 satellites). A deep dive in the direct-to-handset mobile broadband by satellite market was provided in the Study, including global market trends, an overview of the satellite market in 5G, and its competition, the definition of the business model, of the key enablers and barriers to growth. This analysis demonstrated the existence, within the consumer segment only, of nearly 5 billion potential end users by 2025, representing an addressable annual market value of more than 14 B€ by 2025.
Regarding DSA, two approaches were designed: coordinated spectrum sharing and non-coordinated spectrum sharing. Coordinated sharing allows overlap but requires bandwidth removal from the terrestrial network. Non-coordinated sharing needs an exclusion zone. Both approaches extend 5G coverage using satellites.
For MU-MIMO, novel location-based algorithms reduce overhead and computational effort. Federated MU-MIMO improves capacity and reliability for non-Line-of-Sight handheld terminals.
For MC, an activation algorithm boosts throughput for users with low spectral efficiency. Evaluation showed gains of up to 20% on average data rate and 83.5% for user experience.
The new technologies and features developed in the DYNASAT Project allow to enhance the economy for direct-to-handset space connectivity systems and satellite mega-constellations (>100 satellites). A deep dive in the direct-to-handset mobile broadband by satellite market was provided in the Study, including global market trends, an overview of the satellite market in 5G, and its competition, the definition of the business model, of the key enablers and barriers to growth. This analysis demonstrated the existence, within the consumer segment only, of nearly 5 billion potential end users by 2025, representing an addressable annual market value of more than 14 B€ by 2025.