Thread by @disruptivedean

In the satellite / HAPS session at #FYUZ22

Panellist from @InmarsatGlobal @omnispace @midokura @AalyriaTech

Omnispace working via roaming using 3GPP standards

Sony unit midokura does sensing units (using any connectivity, wireless or fixed)

Interesting from Inmarsat talking about fit of O-RAN or possibly @SmallCell_Forum nFAPI with LEO satellites

Could put bits of RU/DU in space

RIC could have an NTN-specific xApp - very different problems for RF & spectrum management in space domain, eg moving satellites

Open RAN framework eg O-RAN could make it easier for multiple satellite providers to avoid reinventing the wheel for cellular connectivity

Lots of RIC app potential, eg managing satellite & beam handovers, pre-emptively dealing with changing orbits (eg to avoid debris), coordination between different satellite operators etc

Two levels of coordination

rApp can mask the satellite/beam handovers from 3GPP core

Big impact of SDR (software defined radio) here

Same platform can be reprogrammed for 3GPP 5G NR, NBIoT, LoRaWAN (!) or even proprietary loads

First time I've heard the phrase "cloud satellite". Which is both physically impossible & deeply cool at the same time

Some confusing stuff I don't really understand about how OFDMA interacts badly with "tube amplifiers" (?) on existing satellites

Direct-to-device changes lots of dynamics for the satellite industry

Larger market, but makes switching costs much lower for end-users vs. custom devices

Forces satellite operators to drive down costs via commodity / standard / shared elements

... hence Amazon & MS ground station as a service, Open RAN for some of the radio elements, leaning on 3GPP for read-made control plane etc.

Putting elements of a DU on the satellite means that the traffic between earth & space is almost entirely user-plane data rather than internal control & signalling. More efficient use of the (very expensive) resource

May be ability to reuse 3GPP work on mMIMO for managing satellite beams

Satellites will be "multi-service" - able to coordinate 3GPP-integrated traffic with non-3GPP (eg existing fixed wireless, mobile connections to aircraft & vehicles, military etc)

Various likely models for beam / spectrum sharing. Could be dynamic in time & space, eg if 3GPP satellite only permissible over certain countries, or with specific bands and other regulatory rules (or business priorities)