Space Network: As the world prepares for 5G, a new generation of mobile networks, a key question is what role satellites will play. The 5G Space Network (5GSN) is a proposed space-based 5G network that would complement terrestrial 5G networks, providing global coverage and enabling new applications such as high-speed mobile broadband, the Internet of Things (IoT), and enhanced mobile broadband. The 5GSN concept is being developed by a consortium of companies led by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES). The consortium also includes Intelsat S.A. (INTL), Airbus (EADSF), and One Web (OW). The 5GSN concept was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February 2018.
Background
The Unite States has been a world leader in space exploration and development for many years, and the country’s space infrastructure is a critical part of its national security. The Department of Defense (DOD) relies on space-base assets for communications, navigation, surveillance, and other vital functions.
The development of new space technologies and capabilities is essential to maintaining U.S. leadership in space. The National Security Space Strategy, release in 2011, articulates the importance of space to the Unite States and lays out a plan for maintaining space superiority. A key component of the strategy is the development of a next-generation space network, which will enable the Unite States to maintain its military advantages in space.
The next-generation space network, known as the 5G Space Network, will be a global, high-speed, high-capacity network that will connect space-base assets with ground-base assets and users. The 5G Space Network will enable the Unite States to share data and information in real time, regardless of location. The 5G Space Network will be built on a foundation of existing and new space assets, including satellites, ground stations, and high-speed links. The network will use advance technologies, such as software-define radios and optical links, to enable data rates that are orders of magnitude higher than current space networks.
User Terminals
Space users have long been able to take advantage of advances in terrestrial communication networks, and the next generation of space networks promises to bring even more capabilities. The 5G Space Network User Terminal (5GSNUT) is a key element of these next-generation networks, and it promises to bring a new level of performance and flexibility to space communications. The 5GSNUT is a highly integrate, software-define user terminal that supports a wide range of communication functions.
It is designed to be compatible with a variety of space networks, including those base on the new 5G Space Standard. The 5GSNUT provides a high-speed data connection to the ground, allowing users to take full advantage of the high data rates offered by 5G networks. The 5GSNUT is also highly configurable, allowing it to be easily adapted to the specific needs of each user. It can configure to support a wide range of communication services, including voice, video, and data.
The 5GSNUT can also be configure to support a variety of security features, making it an ideal choice for sensitive communications. The 5GSNUT is expected to be available in the second half of 2020. It will be offered in a variety of form factors, including handheld, vehicle-mounted, and fixed-site versions.
Ground Stations
In the past few years, the development of the 5G network has been a hot topic in the tech industry. The race to be the first country to have a fully functioning 5G network is underway. With many countries investing billions of dollars into research and development. The benefits of 5G are numerous, including increase speeds, reduced latency, and more capacity. However, one of the most promising applications of 5G is the ability to create a space-base network.
A space-base network would allow for global coverage, as well as the ability to connect to devices in remote or hard-to-reach locations. The development of such a network would require the placement of ground stations on every continent. These ground stations would be responsible for relaying signals from satellites to 5G-enable devices on the ground. The benefits of a 5G space-base network are many. Perhaps the most significant is the ability to provide global coverage. A space-base network would not be limite by the line-of-sight limitations that ground-base networks are currently subject to.
This would allow for 5G coverage in areas that are currently underserve or not serve at all, such as rural areas or remote locations. In addition, a space-base network would have reduce latency. Latency is the time it takes for a signal to travel from its point of origin to its destination. The shorter the latency, the better. A space-base network would have shorter latency than a ground-base network because the signals would not have to travel as far. This would be beneficial for applications that require low latency, such as virtual reality or gaming. Finally, a space-base network would have increase capacity.
Satellites
The fifth-generation network satellites are a next-generation technology design to provide high-speed wireless Internet and other communication services to users on the ground. In airplanes, and in vehicles. The system is currently being develop by a consortium of companies including Airbus, Nokia, and Samsung. The network will use a combination of ground-base towers and satellites in order to provide coverage to users in rural and remote areas. The system is design to provide speeds of up to 10 Gaps. Which is significantly faster than the current 4G LTE networks. The first phase of the project is expect to be complete by 2020. With commercial service expect to begin in 2021.
Technology
The 5G Space Network, or 5GSN, is a next-generation wireless network technology that promises to revolutionize space communications. 5GSN is base on the same standards as 5G, the next generation of mobile networks. 5GSN will provide significantly higher data rates, lower latency, and more reliable connections than current space communications systems. 5G is currently being develop by the 3GPP, the international body that sets standards for mobile networks.
The first phase of 5G standards, known as Release 15, is expect to be complete in late 2019. 5GSN will be an important part of Release 16. The next phase of 5G standards, which is expect to be complete in 2020. 5GSN will use a variety of technologies to achieve its high data rates, including millimeter wave (mm Wave) and beamforming. Mm Wave is a type of radio wave that can carry large amounts of data over short distances. Beamforming is a technology that helps direct radio waves to where they are need.
Applications
5G space network applications are numerous and continue to be develop as the technology improves. Some potential applications for a 5G space network include: A 5G network could be use to connect satellites together to create a “mesh network” in space. This would allow for real-time communication and coordination between satellites. A 5G network could be use to connect ground stations to satellites in real-time. This would allow for more efficient control of satellites and better coordination of their activities.
A 5G space network could be use to connect satellites to aircraft or other moving platforms. This would allow for real-time tracking and communication with these platforms. -A 5G space network could be use to connect satellites to each other and to ground stations in order to create a “virtual fence” around a particular area. This would allow for real-time monitoring of that area and could be use for security or other purposes. A 5G network could be use to create a “smart grid” in space.
This would allow for real-time monitoring and control of power usage by satellites. A 5G network could be use to create a “virtual private network” in space. This would allow for secure communication between satellites and ground stations. A 5G network could be use to connect satellites to each other in order to create a “space-base internet”. This would allow for high-spree data transfer between satellites and could be use for a variety of purposes.