Solutions for NR to support Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
The objectives for this document are, based on the outcomes of the TR 38.811 [2], to study a set of necessary features/adaptations enabling the operation of the New Radio (NR) protocol in non-terrestrial networks for 3GPP Release 16 with a priority on satellite access. Access network based on Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) could be considered as a special case of non-terrestrial access with lower delay/Doppler value and variation rate.
The objectives for the study are the following
● Consolidation of potential impacts on the physical layer and definition of related solutions if needed
● Performance assessment of NR in selected deployment scenarios (LEO based satellite access, GEO based satellite access) through link level (Radio link) and system level (cell) simulations
● Study and define related solutions if needed on NR related Layer 2 and 3
● Study and define related solutions if needed on RAN architecture and related interface protocols
NOTE: As far as architecture issues are concerned, this TR supersedes TR 38.811 [2]