SOFTWARE-DEFINED SATELLITE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE INTERNET OF THINGS

Abstract

The Internet of Things has become one of the main drivers of the development of telecommunication systems. The introduction of Internet of Things systems is accompanied by a constant increase in the demand for free bandwidth of telecommunication networks. For this reason, in the Releases for the 4G and 5G standards, the 3GPP Group, starting from Release 14, allocates the systems and services of the Internet of Things in a separate direction, which is formalized in the form of the 5G Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). To expand the area of the 4G and 5G services, including NB-IoT services, the 3GPP Group, starting from Release 14, includes the Satellite Component in the Mobile Network Infrastructure. The indisputable advantages of Satellite Communication and Data Transmission Systems include the global service area and the ability to provide connectivity regardless of the state of the Terrestrial Telecommunications Networks. The Satellite Component is considered primarily as an operational means to ensure the connection of the Remote Areas to the Root Network in the 3GPP Group Releases. The 3GPP Group introduced the term "Non-Terrestrial Networks" (NTN) for this type of service. In response to the proposals of the 3GPP Group, developers and operators of the Satellite Telecommunications Systems have paid particular attention to ensuring compatibility with the Terrestrial 5G Broadband Access Systems. The 3G and 4G Standards considered the Satellite Component only as a means of connecting remote cellular areas to the Root Network. The Satellite Component is given a more important place in the 5G Ecosystem [1] in Release 17, which is considered the Satellite Component as a critical component of the Global 5G Ecosystem. Release 17 defines the specifications for direct-to-device 5G connection over satellite. Release 17 provides for the use of Geostationary and low-Earth-orbit components, noting their advantages and disadvantages. The satellite component is considered a means of connecting remote areas in the technology called New Radio - Non-Terrestrial Networks (NR-NTN). NR-NTN can be considered as part of the Enhanced Mobile Broadband Network (eMBB) [10]. It is believed that in the 5G Ecosystem, IoT Services will develop in the long term at based on Internet of Things - Non-Terrestrial Network (IoT-NTN), LTE-M, or 5G NR-Light.