A virtualised satellite ground gateway
MiRAGE investigates a cloud-native ground gateway for direct-to-handheld 5G satellite services. Selected radio-access and core-network functions run in a virtualised computing architecture. The project examines how that gateway can manage satellite-channel conditions, network-side adaptations and changing service demand.
The gateway must distinguish channel-driven behavior from computing and network effects. Delay, frequency offset and changing link quality affect radio processing, while traffic demand changes the workload. A useful evaluation pairs defined channel scenarios with gateway timing, traffic and resource observations.
MiRAGE combines satellite-channel emulation with virtualised 5G radio-access and core-network functions. Defined channel scenarios help investigate gateway behaviour, service continuity and computing-resource demand. Amphinicy Technologies and the University of Luxembourg are identified on ESA's project page as project participants.
| Condition | Observation | Engineering question |
|---|---|---|
| Scenario-driven delay and frequency variation | Radio-processing and synchronisation timing | Can the gateway track the intended satellite-channel evolution? |
| Channel scenario paired with service demand | Gateway traffic and computing-resource records | Which response follows the channel, and which follows the workload? |
| Network-side adaptation/pre-compensation case | UE synchronisation and service events | How should the surrounding network support the intended handheld service? |
ESA ARTES 4.0 / Space for 5G research, activity 3F.014.
Project roles