Voice over satellite breakthroughs with NB-IoT
The networks that link the Internet of Things (IoT) are not only taking to the skies with satellite connectivity, but enabling voice links to remote areas.
The latest development for Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) wireless communication are enabling voice calls over satellite alongside the data from millions of sensors around the world.
The rollout of the Altair ALT1250 chip from Sony Semiconductor is enabling a breakthrough that is deployable via a software upgrade to existing geostationary satellites using available S-band spectrum.
- Running IoT through the skies
- 5G automotive grade module adds NB-NTN support
- Satellite NTN connectivity for wearable and low power IoT devices
This has been developed by Mavenir and Canadian satellite operator Terrestar Solutions with the industry’s first call using Voice over NB-IoT (VoNB) in NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) mode. This comes alongside the launch of a testbed for the technology developed by Murata and Rohde & Schwarz, demonstrating the maturing of the supply chain.
The Mavenir call was conducted over a 3GPP-standardized NTN S-band spectrum, avoiding interference common in terrestrial networks. This is designed to work with GEO satellite delays as well, the network ensures consistent coverage despite the higher latency of travelling to geostationary orbit rather than using the low earth orbit satellite constellations which are much closer.
This approach enables satellite operators to provide NTN services immediately and uses a standard codec, the Altair module and Mavenir’s Open vRAN and Open Beam radio.
This is the first real-time voice service based on a fully compliant 3GPP non-terrestrial network, says Jacques Leduc, President of Terrestar Solutions. “With our dedicated S-band spectrum and an open network architecture, we leverage the strength of the 3GPP ecosystem to drive this breakthrough.”
The NB-NTN testbed to be shown at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, next week allow equipment to be proven for voice services to remote and bandwidth-constrained areas where terrestrial network access is lacking or when terrestrial networks fail.
This uses the CMW500 wideband radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz as a GEO/GSO satellite eNB emulator, along with Murata’s Type1SC Cat.M1/NB-IoT/NB-NTN module with Sony Altair’s ALT1250 chip. It uses a voice over IP client developed by Rohde & Schwarz with ultra-low bitrate codecs, opening up push-to-talk NB-NTN applications for , making it particularly suitable for emergencies, disaster response, remote areas, and maritime operations.
The demonstration shows the potential of Narrowband NTN services with push-to-talk voice in addition to emergency SOS and SMS services in areas without terrestrial network access.
www.mavenir.com; www.terrestar.net; www.altair.sony-semicon.com; www.murata.com; www.rohde-schwarz.com
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