SKY Excellent JSAT Company, NTT DOCOMO, INC., the Nationwide Institute of Data and Communications Expertise (NICT) ,and Panasonic Holdings Company (Panasonic HD) collectively introduced at the moment 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 type on this planet.
On this groundbreaking trial to display the sensible utility of 5G feeder hyperlink*3 and backhaul line*4 for HAPS, a Cessna plane was geared up 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 perform 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) commonplace*5 with 38GHz band radio waves, which is a novel method for terrestrial 5G networks. The achievement of a number of backhaul line consisting of aerial relays utilizing the 5G NR commonplace with 38GHz band radio waves was a world first in telecommunication expertise*6.
With 5G evolution underway and 6G implementation on the horizon, numerous efforts are being made to develop protection areas. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)*7 utilizing HAPS is a promising expertise for such expansions, so the outcomes from this demonstration will assist speed up the sensible utility of HAPS networks.
The 4 organizations concerned on this challenge 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 challenge targeted on wi-fi communication programs utilizing HAPS led by Japan’s Ministry of Inner Affairs and Communications*8.
- 38.0-39.5GHz frequency band was designated for HAPS mounted 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 geared up with repeaters, and many others. 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 cell community. The Core cell community acts as a command middle, managing authentication, authorization, and communication periods (Management Airplane). It additionally transfers information between the applying server exterior the core community and the terminal (Consumer Airplane).
- New 5G wi-fi entry expertise, developed by 3GPP challenge wherein numerous nationwide standardization our bodies are working to coordinate mobile-communication specs.
- As of April 3, 2024, in line with analysis performed by Panasonic HD.
- A system that makes use of quite a lot of communication platforms, comparable to satellites, HAPS, drones, and many others., to determine a multi-layered connection throughout completely different spatial dimensions, together with sea, air, and area, 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 Excellent JSAT
SKY Excellent 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 providers. SKY Excellent JSAT delivers a broad vary of leisure via the “SKY PerfecTV!” platform, essentially the most in depth in Japan with over 2 million subscribers. SKY Excellent JSAT’s satellite tv for pc communications providers, which cowl Asia, Indian Ocean, Center East, Pacific Ocean and North America, play a significant position in supporting communications infrastructures for cell backhaul, authorities, aviation, maritime, oil & gasoline and catastrophe restoration.
For extra data, go to our company web site (https://www.skyperfectjsat.area/en) and Area Enterprise web site (https://www.skyperfectjsat.area/jsat/en/).
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s main cell operator with over 89 million subscriptions, is likely one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G cell community applied sciences. Past core communications providers, DOCOMO is difficult new frontiers in collaboration with a rising variety of entities (“+d” companions), creating thrilling and handy value-added providers that change the way in which folks stay and work. Beneath a medium-term plan towards 2020 and past, DOCOMO is pioneering a modern 5G community to facilitate progressive providers that can amaze and encourage clients past their expectations.
https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
About NICT
The Nationwide Institute of Data and Communications Expertise (NICT) is Japan’s sole Nationwide Analysis and Improvement Company specializing within the area of data and communications expertise and is charged with selling the ICT sector in addition to analysis and improvement in ICT, which drives financial development and creates an prosperous, secure and safe society.
For extra data, go to https://www.nict.go.jp/en/
In regards to the Panasonic Group
Based in 1918, and at the moment a worldwide chief in growing progressive applied sciences and options for wide-ranging purposes within the shopper 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 corporations positioned beneath its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated web gross sales of 8,496.4 billion yen for the yr ended March 31, 2024. To be taught extra concerning the Panasonic Group, please go to: https://holdings.panasonic/international/
Appendix 1
1. Check particulars
- The trial was performed utilizing the next setup:
- A 38GHz band 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) base station and core community system, developed for set up in HAPS had been mounted in a Cessna plane.
- Lens-type antenna with an automated monitoring perform, designed to transmit and obtain 38GHz band radio waves with excessive achieve and a pointy beam, was used as the bottom station.
- Set up a number of information hyperlinks utilizing the 5G New Radio (NR) commonplace between the plane and three floor stations.
By concurrently connecting and relaying any two floor stations that fashioned the backhaul line by way of the Cessna onboard station, it was potential to determine an information 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 expertise 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 consumer 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 commonplace 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 had 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 beneath illustrates the time variation of downlink throughput. In part 1, the aerial relay backhaul line was established, permitting information transmission from the end-to-end communication core community to the terminal. In part 2, information 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 information communication. These outcomes met the preliminary verification goal. Additionally it is 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 situations of HAPS within the stratosphere, some 20km above floor.
Monitoring expertise of antennas and communication gear for HAPS
When utilizing a fixed-wing mannequin for HAPS, it’s crucial for the HAPS-mounted antenna to have exact management of the beam route and to attenuate 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 expertise 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 a few floor stations. This expertise is adaptable to varied flight situations, adjusting to the plane’s angle, pace, route, place, and altitude because it turns.
Monitoring expertise of floor station antenna and communication gear
Because of the results of stratospheric winds and ranging climate situations, HAPS should regularly change its trajectory. The event of high-precision monitoring expertise is important for floor station antennas and communication gear to precisely and constantly monitor 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 technique that persistently tracked the Cessna plane inside this angular vary.
Line switching and management expertise for HAPS community
To combine HAPS into 5G and 6G cell networks, versatile line switching, and management shall be needed between the present 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 commonplace within the 38GHz band. The trial achieved seamless handover with no interruption in information transmission when the consumer gear moved throughout the protection areas of each base stations. This success demonstrated the feasibility of versatile hyperlink management expertise 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 may be considerably weakened by rain, requiring sensible countermeasures comparable to web site variety*3. The trial efficiently examined an algorithm that mechanically compensates for rain-induced attenuation, comparable to web site variety, in sync with the 5G community, making changes in line with modifications in hyperlink high quality attributable to rain.
It was confirmed that each one preliminary improvement aims had been met. As well as, with a view to the longer term deployment of HAPS, the trial supplied measurement information that can assist the sensible utility and standardization of HAPS and determine areas for additional technical improvement and efficiency enhancement. Sooner or later, the 4 companions plan to make use of these outcomes to appreciate 5G communication providers from the stratosphere by way of HAPS, thus contributing to the belief of NTN.
- All the path connecting two speaking events, or each ends of that path. Often known as E2E.
- Expertise that switches base stations whereas sustaining communication when a terminal strikes to a different cell.
- Expertise that switches between a number of floor stations by receiving a wi-fi sign via 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 strains to fulfill the demand for backhaul strains to base stations in numerous purposes anticipated within the period of 5G Evolution & 6G, and likewise 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 goal is to enhance the frequency utilization effectivity*1 of HAPS communication utilizing the millimeter-wave band and to determine elemental applied sciences for the sensible utility of HAPS programs.
Contents
To realize the above, the event targets embrace a millimeter-wave communication system to be mounted on a HAPS and a corresponding floor station. Even when the HAPS place and flight angle change, wi-fi communication should be ensured by controlling the route of radio wave transmission whereas decreasing interference from radio waves from different terrestrial programs. As well as, applied sciences comparable to switching between a number of floor stations (web site variety) shall be used to make sure connectivity equal to that of cell phone backhaul strains utilizing the traditional stationary satellite tv for pc system in Japan, even within the millimeter-wave band the place the impact of rain attenuation may 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 Inner Affairs and Communications’ ‘Analysis and Improvement for the Growth of Radio Wave Assets (JPJ000254).
- Greater pace and better capability communication ends in the transmission of extra bits inside a unit of frequency or time.
