Successful over-the-air test accelerates 5G deployment across all geographies and multiple use cases
Herndon, VA, June 19, 2018 – VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that VT iDirect, SES, Broadpeak, i2CAT and the University of Surrey, all members of the SaT5G consortium, have partnered to demonstrate a major milestone in the research, development and validation of key principles for satellite integration with 5G architecture. The live, first-of-its-kind test marked a significant step forward in the massive transformation of the global communications industry, which will deliver enhanced security, ubiquitous connectivity and mobility, and expanded broadcast capabilities.
Taking place at the EuCNC2018 conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the live test demonstrated the integration of satellite into a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network architecture, comprising a Software-defined Networking (SDN) / Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) / Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)-enabled pre-5G construction testbed, with a geostationary satellite. It also showcased satellite backhauling features and efficient edge delivery of multimedia content in pre-5G networks, which act as Proof-of-Concepts for integration of those features into a full 5G network.
The SaT5G project is funded by the European Commission and its consortium brings together industry leaders across the ecosystem to promote the cost-effective “plug and play” integration of satellite technology into 5G networks. The successful demonstration shows the first of the project milestones conceived to reach full seamless integration with 5G over the next few years.
Forming the partnership, VT iDirect provided a pre-5G enabled satellite hub platform and satellite terminal that incorporates SDN, NFV and MEC capabilities, and enables the satellite integration to a 3GPP network architecture. SES provided end-to-end connectivity between the remote node and the core network via its geostationary ASTRA 2F satellite and its teleport in Betzdorf. The University of Surrey provided its 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) testbed element, located at Surrey in the United Kingdom. Broadpeak supplied an MEC-enabled platform for Content Delivery Network (CDN) caching and Multicast Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) to optimize Satellite bandwidth usage, in order to demonstrate content delivery to demo attendees, via tablets and smart phones. The Management and Orchestrator (MANO) system from i2CAT orchestrated the virtualized resources.
“Integrating satellite communications into 5G network architectures is critical to enabling telecommunication providers to support rapidly accelerating demand for bandwidth around the world, and for consumer and enterprise applications,” said Aneesh Dalvi, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, VT iDirect. “VT iDirect and its SaT5G team members are fundamentally changing how satellite is deployed in order to match 5G infrastructure. It is extremely validating to see the tremendous work our team has done to hit this first milestone.”
Additional resources
EuCNC2018 Program
Sat5G Project
Planning a Satellite 5G Future
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VT iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is a global leader in IP-based satellite communications providing technology and solutions that enable our partners worldwide to optimize their networks, differentiate their services and profitably expand their businesses. For more than 20 years, the VT iDirect organization has focused on meeting the economic and technology challenges across the satellite industry. Today, the product portfolio, branded under the name iDirect, sets new standards in performance and efficiency, making it possible to deliver voice, video and data connectivity anywhere in the world. VT iDirect is the world’s largest TDMA enterprise VSAT manufacturer and is the leader in key industries including mobility, military/government and cellular backhaul. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information please visit www.iDirect.net.
VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems’ innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering. Please visit www.vt-systems.com.
Media contacts:
Julie Bettinger
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
VT iDirect
Phone: (1) 703 648 8155
Email: jbettinger@idirect.net
Kimberly Miles
Manager, Corporate Communications
VT Systems
Phone: (1) 703 739 2610
Email: kmiles@vt-systems.com