SKY Good JSAT Company, NTT DOCOMO, INC., the Nationwide Institute of Data and Communications Know-how (NICT) ,and Panasonic Holdings Company (Panasonic HD) collectively introduced at this time that they’ve efficiently performed a 5G communication verification take a look at within the 38GHz band*1 from an altitude of roughly 4km utilizing a small Cessna plane operated by Kyoritsu Air Survey Co., Ltd. simulating the eventual use of Excessive-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS)*2. The demonstration was the primary of its form on the earth.
On this groundbreaking trial to display the sensible software of 5G feeder hyperlink*3 and backhaul line*4 for HAPS, a Cessna plane was outfitted with newly developed communication gear (“Cessna onboard station”) that’s anticipated to be deployed finally in HAPS. Moreover, a lens-type antenna with an auto-tracking operate was used because the HAPS floor station (“floor station”).
The trial established an aerial relay backhaul line between the Cessna plane, flying at altitude of roughly 4km, and three floor stations, utilizing the 5G New Radio (NR) customary*5 with 38GHz band radio waves, which is a novel strategy for terrestrial 5G networks. The achievement of a number of backhaul line consisting of aerial relays utilizing the 5G NR customary with 38GHz band radio waves was a world first in telecommunication know-how*6.
With 5G evolution underway and 6G implementation on the horizon, varied efforts are being made to increase protection areas. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)*7 utilizing HAPS is a promising know-how for such expansions, so the outcomes from this demonstration will assist speed up the sensible software of HAPS networks.
The 4 organizations concerned on this undertaking are dedicated to persevering with their joint efforts, aiming on the early supply of 5G from the stratosphere by way of an NTN utilizing HAPS.
The demonstration is a part of a undertaking targeted on wi-fi communication programs utilizing HAPS led by Japan’s Ministry of Inside Affairs and Communications*8.
- 38.0-39.5GHz frequency band was designated for HAPS fastened communication at 2019 World Radiocommunication Convention.
- Radio station onboard unmanned plane able to flying within the stratosphere as much as a number of months and outfitted with repeaters, and so on. to cowl a 100-200km diameter for the skies, seas and unpopulated/mountainous areas the place protection has been economically unfeasible.
- Relay communications between HAPS and floor station.
- Fastened line that helps high-speed, high-capacity transmission between wi-fi base stations and core cellular community. The Core cellular community acts as a command middle, managing authentication, authorization, and communication periods (Management Airplane). It additionally transfers knowledge between the appliance server exterior the core community and the terminal (Person Airplane).
- New 5G wi-fi entry know-how, developed by 3GPP undertaking wherein varied nationwide standardization our bodies are working to coordinate mobile-communication specs.
- As of April 3, 2024, in accordance with analysis performed by Panasonic HD.
- A system that makes use of quite a lot of communication platforms, akin to satellites, HAPS, drones, and so on., to ascertain a multi-layered connection throughout completely different spatial dimensions, together with sea, air, and house, extending past terrestrial boundaries.
- Core plan of this R&D: https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/pressrelease/2020/6/15_1.html
About SKY Good JSAT
SKY Good JSAT is Asia’s largest satellite tv for pc operator with a fleet of 17 satellites, and Japan’s solely supplier of each Multi-channel Pay TV broadcasting and satellite tv for pc communications companies. SKY Good JSAT delivers a broad vary of leisure by the “SKY PerfecTV!” platform, probably the most in depth in Japan with over 2 million subscribers. SKY Good JSAT’s satellite tv for pc communications companies, which cowl Asia, Indian Ocean, Center East, Pacific Ocean and North America, play an important position in supporting communications infrastructures for cellular backhaul, authorities, aviation, maritime, oil & gasoline and catastrophe restoration.
For extra info, go to our company web site (https://www.skyperfectjsat.house/en) and House Enterprise web site (https://www.skyperfectjsat.house/jsat/en/).
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s main cellular operator with over 89 million subscriptions, is without doubt one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G cellular community applied sciences. Past core communications companies, DOCOMO is difficult new frontiers in collaboration with a rising variety of entities (“+d” companions), creating thrilling and handy value-added companies that change the best way folks stay and work. Below a medium-term plan towards 2020 and past, DOCOMO is pioneering a modern 5G community to facilitate modern companies that can amaze and encourage clients past their expectations.
https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
About NICT
The Nationwide Institute of Data and Communications Know-how (NICT) is Japan’s sole Nationwide Analysis and Improvement Company specializing within the discipline of knowledge and communications know-how and is charged with selling the ICT sector in addition to analysis and improvement in ICT, which drives financial progress and creates an prosperous, secure and safe society.
For extra info, go to https://www.nict.go.jp/en/
Concerning the Panasonic Group
Based in 1918, and at this time a worldwide chief in creating modern applied sciences and options for wide-ranging purposes within the client electronics, housing, automotive, business, communications, and power sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an working firm system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Company serving as a holding firm and eight firms positioned underneath its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated internet gross sales of 8,496.4 billion yen for the yr ended March 31, 2024. To study extra concerning the Panasonic Group, please go to: https://holdings.panasonic/world/
Appendix 1
1. Take a look at particulars
- The trial was performed utilizing the next setup:
- A 38GHz band 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) base station and core community machine, developed for set up in HAPS have been mounted in a Cessna plane.
- Lens-type antenna with an computerized monitoring operate, designed to transmit and obtain 38GHz band radio waves with excessive acquire and a pointy beam, was used as the bottom station.
- Set up a number of knowledge hyperlinks utilizing the 5G New Radio (NR) customary between the plane and three floor stations.
By concurrently connecting and relaying any two floor stations that shaped the backhaul line by way of the Cessna onboard station, it was doable to ascertain a knowledge hyperlink between the 2 floor stations: one linked to the 5G terrestrial community (floor stations 1 & 2) and the opposite linked to the terrestrial base station speaking with the terminal (floor station 3). This setup demonstrated the backhaul line of the 5G terrestrial community by way of an aerial relay (dotted line in determine).
By making use of this know-how to the backhaul line between the bottom station speaking with the terminal and the end-to-end communication core community*1, end-to-end communication to the person terminal was achieved. As well as, handover*2 between the aerial relay backhaul base station (base station 1) and the terrestrial backhaul base station (base station 2) was demonstrated.
2. Key achievements
- Established an aerial relay backhaul hyperlink utilizing the 5G NR customary within the 38GHz band.
- Carried out a handover between the terrestrial backhaul base station and the aerial relay backhaul base station.
To confirm these two factors, the end-to-end throughput between core communication community and the communication terminal was measured. Measurements have been taken in each instructions: from the end-to-end communication core community to the communication terminal (downlink) and from the terminal to the end-to-end communication core community (uplink).
The graph under illustrates the time variation of downlink throughput. In part 1, the aerial relay backhaul line was established, permitting knowledge transmission from the end-to-end communication core community to the terminal. In part 2, knowledge was transmitted over the terrestrial backhaul line. When transitioning from part 1 to part 2, the handover was carried out with out interruption of knowledge communication. Moreover, when transitioning to part 3, which was reconnected to the aerial relay backhaul, the handover was carried out with none interruption in knowledge communication. These outcomes met the preliminary verification goal. It is usually value noting that the above verification was additionally profitable within the uplink.
3. Technical developments
The trial targeted on particular technical developments by replicating the flight circumstances of HAPS within the stratosphere, some 20km above floor.
Monitoring know-how of antennas and communication gear for HAPS
When utilizing a fixed-wing mannequin for HAPS, it’s essential for the HAPS-mounted antenna to have exact management of the beam course and to reduce frequency fluctuations as a result of Doppler impact, particularly when speaking at excessive frequencies within the millimeter-wave band.
Inside this R&D framework, a know-how for 5G NR communication was efficiently demonstrated utilizing the HAPS-mounted antenna and communication gear in a flight surroundings, precisely directing the 38GHz band beam to 3 floor stations. This know-how is adaptable to varied flight circumstances, adjusting to the plane’s perspective, pace, course, place, and altitude because it turns.
Monitoring know-how of floor station antenna and communication gear
As a result of results of stratospheric winds and ranging climate circumstances, HAPS should frequently change its trajectory. The event of high-precision monitoring know-how is important for floor station antennas and communication gear to precisely and repeatedly observe the HAPS with the extraordinarily slender and sharp 38GHz band antenna beam. The bottom station antenna used within the trial had a minimal beamwidth of 0.8 diploma, enabling a monitoring methodology that persistently tracked the Cessna plane inside this angular vary.
Line switching and management know-how for HAPS community
To combine HAPS into 5G and 6G cellular networks, versatile line switching, and management shall be needed between the prevailing terrestrial community and the HAPS-based stratospheric community. The trial verified the handover between the terrestrial backhaul base station and the aerial relay backhaul base station utilizing the 5G NR customary within the 38GHz band. The trial achieved seamless handover with no interruption in knowledge transmission when the person gear moved throughout the protection areas of each base stations. This success demonstrated the feasibility of versatile hyperlink management know-how that coordinates between the terrestrial community and the HAPS community.
Rain attenuation compensation algorithm in radio wave propagation path
Radio waves within the 38GHz band will be considerably weakened by rain, requiring sensible countermeasures akin to website variety*3. The trial efficiently examined an algorithm that robotically compensates for rain-induced attenuation, akin to website variety, in sync with the 5G community, making changes in accordance with adjustments in hyperlink high quality attributable to rain.
It was confirmed that every one preliminary improvement aims have been met. As well as, with a view to the long run deployment of HAPS, the trial supplied measurement knowledge that can assist the sensible software and standardization of HAPS and establish areas for additional technical improvement and efficiency enhancement. Sooner or later, the 4 companions plan to make use of these outcomes to comprehend 5G communication companies from the stratosphere by way of HAPS, thus contributing to the conclusion of NTN.
- The whole path connecting two speaking events, or each ends of that path. Often known as E2E.
- Know-how that switches base stations whereas sustaining communication when a terminal strikes to a different cell.
- Know-how that switches between a number of floor stations by receiving a wi-fi sign by two or extra antennas.
Appendix 2
Overview of R&D
Goal
The aim of this R&D is to develop a HAPS system that may present well timed, high-speed, and high-capacity communication traces to satisfy the demand for backhaul traces to base stations in varied purposes anticipated within the period of 5G Evolution & 6G, and in addition for catastrophe response and restoration, utilizing the broadband frequency of the millimeter wave band (Q/V band; 36.0–42.5GHz band centered on 38.0–39.5GHz) and HAPS. One other objective is to enhance the frequency utilization effectivity*1 of HAPS communication utilizing the millimeter-wave band and to ascertain elemental applied sciences for the sensible software of HAPS programs.
Contents
To realize the above, the event targets embrace a millimeter-wave communication machine to be mounted on a HAPS and a corresponding floor station. Even when the HAPS place and flight perspective change, wi-fi communication should be ensured by controlling the course of radio wave transmission whereas lowering interference from radio waves from different terrestrial programs. As well as, applied sciences akin to switching between a number of floor stations (website variety) shall be used to make sure connectivity equal to that of cell phone backhaul traces utilizing the traditional stationary satellite tv for pc system in Japan, even within the millimeter-wave band the place the impact of rain attenuation will be vital.
The goal for frequency utilization effectivity is to enhance the throughput from round 3 bits/image to 4 bits/image, or greater than 1.1 instances the throughput of geostationary satellite tv for pc programs.
This R&D is being performed as a part of the Ministry of Inside Affairs and Communications’ ‘Analysis and Improvement for the Enlargement of Radio Wave Sources (JPJ000254).
- Increased pace and better capability communication leads to the transmission of extra bits inside a unit of frequency or time.