5G+ evoluTion to mutioRbitAl multibaNd neTwORks

Project Information

TRANTOR

Grant agreement ID: 101081983

DOI

10.3030/101081983

EC signature date 7 December 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 July 2026

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 5 994 544,75

EU contribution

€ 5 994 544,75

Coordinated by

CENTRE TECNOLOGIC DE TELECOMUNICACIONS DE CATALUNYA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TRANTOR (5G+ evoluTion to mutioRbitAl multibaNd neTwORks)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The TRANTOR project aims to demonstrate a pioneering end-to-end 5G New Radio (NR) satellite communication system with advanced multi-band, multi-satellite, and multi-orbital capabilities, offering flexible and secure data-driven management across various satellite systems. The project's successful demonstration would not only meet key objectives but also significantly impact the global satellite communications (SatCom) industry by supporting 5G for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and paving the way for 6G. This innovation positions European participants and the satellite sector at the forefront of the global race for 5G, 5G-evolution, and 6G adoption. The early deployment of TRANTOR will likely encourage strategic partners and competitors to adopt these advanced solutions, facilitating integration with terrestrial networks and fostering new services and applications. This initiative could help capture up to 50% of the global Telecom satellite market by 2028. TRANTOR also proposes a multi-system management concept, encouraging alliances between satellite stakeholders to strengthen the sector and enhance SatCom competitiveness.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

At the project's midpoint, significant progress has been made across several work packages (WPs). WP2, WP3, and WP4 have achieved their objectives, while WP5, WP6, WP7, and WP8 are ongoing and progressing smoothly. WP2 successfully identified six use cases covering scenarios like disaster relief and public safety, with all objectives and deliverables met on schedule. WP3 has focused on advancing radio access network (RAN) components to support TRANTOR's scenarios, addressing areas such as end-to-end technologies, multi-connectivity, and security enclaves. WP4 has identified network enhancement challenges, analyzed network components, and explored AI-driven automation for resource management.

WP5 has begun developing the Mission Planner, while WP6 and WP7 are preparing for Demo 1 to increase Technology Readiness Level (TRL).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Key contributions beyond the state of the art include:

• Proposing a new synchronization raster for Ku and Ka bands and increasing HARQ processes for NTN delays.
• Introducing a novel PRACH signal design and detection scheme for LEO satellites at Ka-band, enabling reliable preamble detection despite positioning errors.
• Developing a Doppler frequency pre-compensation method at gNodeB, reducing UE complexity and enhancing synchronization even at low SNRs.
• Investigating CU/DU functional split options for NTN, identifying optimal splits to manage data rates and latency.
• Creating a multi-band system and channel model leveraging Ka and Ku bands, enhancing service quality through dynamic beamforming and supporting critical use cases.
• Proposing an adaptive inter-band CA algorithm to maximize data rates under reliability constraints, switching between connectivity modes based on SINRs and user demands.
• Developing a handover approach for LEO satellites using dual connectivity and conditional handover strategies.
• Enhancing service quality for cell-edge users through multi-transmission point techniques across terrestrial and multi-GEO satellite networks.
• Designing a dual-band, dual-orbit UE-A antenna with final specifications for various terminal components.
• Introducing beam management techniques for UE antenna pointing and uplink synchronization during initial cell acquisition without GNSS, aiding in handover preparation.

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