5G NTN Gateway Manufacturers & Vendors Guide

In the context of 3GPP Release 17 and beyond, a “Non-Terrestrial Network” (NTN) refers to deployment of 5G (or 5G advanced) over non-terrestrial platforms – e.g., satellites (GEO, MEO, LEO), high altitude platforms (HAPS), etc.

5G NTN Gateway basics

A “gateway” is typically the ground station that connects the satellite (or NTN payload) to the terrestrial 5G network (typically the 5G core or the terrestrial RAN). It can also be called an NTN gateway, feeder link gateway, etc.

The satellite (or other non-terrestrial platform) has a feeder link (satellite <-> ground) and a service link (UE <-> satellite) (in some architectures). The gateway terminates or interfaces to that feeder link.

In the transparent payload architecture, the satellite basically relays the RF signal and the ground station/gNB is all on the ground. The gateway is key for the feeder link termination and connects to gNB/CU/DU. This architecture is shown in the figure-1.

In the regenerative payload case, some of the gNB/RAN processing may be onboard the satellite; the gateway still functions as a ground interface between payload and core. This architecture is shown in the figure-2.

NTN gateway enables a seamless extension of 5G coverage into remote or underserved areas (sea, air, rural, disaster zones) by connecting the non-terrestrial access segments to the terrestrial 5G system.

5G NTN Gateway Manufacturers

Following table mentions manufacturers of 5G NTN and terrestrial gateway.