Targeting the gap between proprietary satellite networks and global cellular standards, Keysight Technologies, Inc. and Samsung Electronics have successfully demonstrated live New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) connectivity.
The collaboration achieved industry-leading performance in the n252 S-Band, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of standardized satellite-to-device communications.
The demonstration specifically showcased the technical feasibility of 3GPP Release 19 standards, which include advanced protocols for satellite-to-satellite mobility. This capability is essential for maintaining seamless data links as devices transition between different orbital nodes in a constellation.
Standardizing Orbital Networking
The move toward 3GPP-compliant architectures represents a strategic shift away from proprietary systems. By adopting standardized NR-NTN protocols, chipset and handset vendors can ensure interoperability across different satellite constellations and terrestrial 5G networks.
The use of the n252 S-Band is particularly relevant for:
- Direct-to-Device (D2D): Enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without specialized hardware.
- Technical Convergence: Integrating satellite connectivity into the broader 5G and 6G ecosystem.
- Global Mobility: Supporting high-speed handovers between satellites to prevent service interruptions for mobile users.
Collaborative Engineering and Testing
Keysight provided the end-to-end emulation environment required to simulate complex orbital dynamics, including high Doppler shifts and long propagation delays inherent in satellite links. Samsung utilized its latest NTN-capable modem technology to validate the physical and protocol layers of the Release 19 specification.
This milestone confirms that major industry players are prioritizing open standards to drive the next wave of broadband connectivity. The results suggest that standardized satellite-to-device services are approaching a level of maturity that could challenge existing market leaders by offering a more flexible, vendor-neutral alternative.
Timeline for Commercial Integration
Following this successful live demonstration, both companies expect to move into deeper interoperability testing throughout 2026. The goal is to provide a reference design for manufacturers looking to integrate satellite connectivity into the next generation of consumer and industrial IoT devices. Further technical results and performance data are expected to be presented at upcoming industry forums later this year.
