OpenAirInterface through geostationary links
5G-GOA adapted OpenAirInterface radio and protocol functions for direct communications through geostationary satellites. Its research connected user terminals, a 5G base station and core-network applications through an emulated or live satellite path. The completed project released OAI developments for subsequent NTN research.
Long propagation times affect more than the received waveform. Synchronisation, random access and protocol timers must remain consistent across the UE and base station. An end-to-end evaluation connects those radio and protocol adaptations to the useful traffic delivered through the satellite path.
University of Luxembourg participated in this earlier research. Its public OAI work forms part of the software foundations cited for 5G Nanosatellite. The contribution presented here is that completed research foundation and its relevance to later satellite-link evaluation.
| Condition | Observation | Engineering question |
|---|---|---|
| GEO propagation-delay case | UE/gNB synchronisation and access timing | Are both endpoints configured for the same satellite timing assumptions? |
| Radio impairments paired with protocol-timer settings | Random-access and timer events | Which radio/protocol adaptation governs a failed or recovered access attempt? |
| Bidirectional traffic through the configured path | Application delivery and endpoint records | Do protocol changes carry useful end-to-end traffic? |
ESA-contracted research, activity 7C.057 / Advanced Technology / Ground Segment.
Consortium participants