Viavi Solutions Inc. and Rohde & Schwarz to collaborate with SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation to establish Japan’s first 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) demonstration facility, dubbed the “Universal NTN Innovation Lab.” Located at the Yokohama Satellite Control Center, the NTN Lab aims to advance SKY Perfect JSAT’s vision of “Universal NTN,” which leverages cutting-edge technology to provide seamless and reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. This innovative approach integrates geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (non-GEO) satellites, alongside High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), to automatically route communication to the optimal path.
Joint NTN Testbed: Pioneering 5G NTN Technology
VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz have equipped the NTN Lab with a robust testbed supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and GEO satellites. The testbed’s capabilities include validating connectivity, measuring performance across diverse environments, and simulating real-world application scenarios under challenging conditions such as high mobility and distance.
Key components of the testbed include:
- VIAVI TM500-AS2: A streamlined testing tool for base stations, supporting advanced 3GPP protocols.
- R&S CMX500 Network Tester: A versatile solution combining channel emulation and fading capabilities for rigorous network analysis.
- VIAVI TeraVM RDA Engine: Realistic traffic scenario simulation for comprehensive performance assessment.
The lab’s initial testing focuses on Ku-band GEO satellites to enable high-capacity, wide-bandwidth communications, a critical step toward commercializing NTN technology.
Voices from the Collaboration
Hiroyuki Yagihashi, Deputy Group President at SKY Perfect JSAT, expressed his enthusiasm: “We deeply value the contributions of VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz. Their advanced technologies are helping us achieve our vision for 5G NTN and accelerate the commercialization of NTN solutions.”
Jonus Chen, Regional Vice President of North Asia at VIAVI, emphasized their commitment to innovation: “We’re honored to support SKY Perfect JSAT, the largest satellite operator in Asia, in their transformative journey toward 5G NTN solutions.”
Alexander Pabst, Vice President of Wireless Communications at Rohde & Schwarz, remarked: “This collaboration signifies our dedication to enabling seamless, high-quality satellite communications while exploring new horizons in 5G NTN technology.”
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