VIAVI M500 and TeraVM test platforms for NTNs and HAPs

VIAVI has announced the availability of base station and end-to-end testing supporting non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and high-altitude platforms (HAPs). As wireless technologies are increasingly augmenting traditional terrestrial communication networks, with satellite communications helping to provide near-complete coverage, the VIAVI TM500 and TeraVM test platforms can validate the conformance and performance of gNodeBs and entire networks under the service link conditions of NTNs and HAPs.

NTNs offer potential opportunities and partnerships for mobile and satellite operators; however, it is important that reliability, stability and performance testing are done to ensure success. NTNs need to be able to cope with the distance, speed and mobility of satellites, HAPs and user equipment (UE), while still delivering on performance. Test solutions are required not only to emulate different UE mobility and fading profiles, but to take the large Doppler shifts from fast-moving satellites and airborne platforms into consideration.

To validate the base station prior to non-terrestrial deployment, the TM500 can emulate a high volume of devices, new mobility patterns, signal propagation delays and other conditions unique to NTNs while TeraVM emulates the core network. This test scenario is suitable for early functional tests such as 3GPP protocol testing and can be applied to both regenerative and transparent architectures. Further test scenarios are focused on testing and optimising the network end to end, using a real core to validate the performance and reliability of the entire network.