NTN Link Signal Testing Without a Full gNB Base Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing of non-terrestrial-network (NTN) communication components, such as satellite-based and airborne platforms, is challenging due to their complex nature and the need for specialized equipment and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A base station test system comprising a link signal acquisition interface and a link signal processor to acquire and analyze link signals from NTN devices, determining parameters like throughput, delay, and performance metrics without requiring a full gNB base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full gNB base station is used for testing NTN components, then comprehensive performance evaluation is possible, but device complexity and testing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential testing functions from a full gNB base station, implementing a simplified test system that includes only the minimum necessary components (test signal generator, channel simulator, and measurement device) to evaluate NTN component performance according to 3GPP standards, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a test signal generator for creating reference signals, a channel simulator for emulating NTN propagation conditions, and a measurement device for parameter extraction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and conditions are used for NTN testing, then measurement accuracy improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The test system is designed to be universally applicable to various NTN component types (satellite payloads, airborne platforms, ground stations) by implementing standardized measurement procedures that can evaluate different devices using the same equipment and methodology, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables easy adjustment of testing parameters such as Doppler shift, delay spread, and signal-to-noise ratio through the channel simulator, allowing operators to configure different NTN propagation scenarios without changing the physical test setup, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while improving operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a base station test system comprising a link signal acquisition interface configured to acquire a link signal from a device under test, wherein the device under test comprises at least part of a non-terrestrial-network access node, also called NTN access node, and a link signal processor coupled to the link signal acquisition interface, wherein the link signal processor is configured to determine at least one parameter for the device under test based on the acquired link signal. In addition, the present disclosure provides a respective method.