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Viavi Solutions Inc. has introduced base station and end-to-end testing capabilities to support Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and High Altitude Platforms (HAPs). The increasing use of wireless technologies in conjunction with traditional terrestrial communication networks has made satellite communications essential for achieving near-complete coverage. Viavi’s TM500 and TeraVM test platforms ensure the conformity, performance, and reliability of gNodeBs and entire networks in the unique service link conditions of NTN and HAPs networks.

3GPP Release 17 specifications have officially included support and guidelines for NTNs, with future releases expected to refine these standards further. These specifications will enhance the performance of NTNs, facilitate convergence with terrestrial telecoms networks, and enable support across existing 5G mobile handsets and chipsets. Viavi predicts that the growth in satellite communications will result in approximately 30,000 new satellites orbiting the Earth, greatly expanding the potential of NTNs to provide universal coverage.

However, the introduction of satellite communication in 5G brings additional complexity to testing. NTNs must be reliable enough to handle the distance, speed, and mobility of satellites, HAPs, and User Equipment (UE), while still delivering optimal performance. Test solutions need to emulate various UE mobility and fading profiles, as well as account for the significant doppler shifts caused by fast-moving satellites and airborne platforms.

Viavi’s TM500 can emulate a large number of devices, new mobility patterns, signal propagation delays, and other conditions specific to NTN. TeraVM, on the other hand, emulates the core network. These test scenarios are ideal for early functional testing, including 3GPP protocol testing, and can be applied to regenerative and transparent architectures. Additional test scenarios focus on testing and optimizing the entire network end-to-end, using a real core to validate its performance and reliability.

The rise of non-terrestrial networks presents promising opportunities for mobile and satellite operators to provide connectivity to underserved areas and support mission-critical applications. However, to ensure the success of these networks, it is crucial to conduct reliability, stability, and performance testing.

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