5G NTN NR gNodeB

Deploy and operate 5G New Radio over satellite, starting at the physical layer.

Gatehouse Satcom will deliver a standards-aligned 5G NTN NR gNodeB physical layer for satellite operators, integrators, and technology partners building non-terrestrial 5G networks.

The solution focuses on the hardest part of NTN New Radio – the PHY – enabling realistic demonstrations, early deployment scenarios, and informed architectural decisions in real satellite environments.

Snow-covered weather station on mountain summit with clouds.

From terrestrial assumptions to non-terrestrial reality

5G New Radio was designed for terrestrial networks. When applied to satellite systems, a different set of constraints defines what is feasible in practice.

Non-terrestrial deployments place the highest technical burden on the physical layer. Satellite dynamics, long delays, Doppler effects, spectrum conditions, and payload constraints all surface at PHY level first. Addressing these early is essential for realistic demonstrations and deployment planning.

This is why Gatehouse Satcom focuses its 5G NR NTN offering at the physical layer, enabling customers to progress from analysis to integration with reduced uncertainty.

5G NR NTN

Key deployment considerations

Non-terrestrial 5G deployments introduce practical constraints that must be accounted for early. Gatehouse Satcom supports customers in addressing these topics through a PHY-first approach and deployment-oriented system work.

  • Scientists inspect satellite in a laboratory setting.

    Payload constraints

    Size, weight, power, and processing budgets influence where and how PHY functions can be deployed.

  • Blue concentric rings of light

    Spectrum context

    NTN spectrum usage differs from terrestrial deployments and impacts system configuration and demonstration setups.

  • Earth with lasers and starry sky backdrop

    Beam management

    Satellite beam behaviour, mobility, and coexistence with existing systems require NTN-specific handling.

  • Futuristic digital circuit board background with glowing lines.

    Architecture choices

    Open RAN and functional split options affect integration effort and long-term flexibility.

5G NTN Stack Architecture

Based on 3GPP 5G NR and NTN functional split definitions

The Gatehouse Satcom NR gNodeB PHY is designed as a modular component within a broader non-terrestrial 5G architecture. It implements the NR physical layer adapted for satellite conditions and interfaces seamlessly with Layer 2 and Layer 3 components as part of an integrated NTN stack.

Gatehouse Satcom delivers the NR gNodeB PHY as a core technology component while integrating higher-layer functions through established ecosystem partnerships, enabling a complete and deployment-ready solution without constraining architectural flexibility.

The architecture supports realistic deployment scenarios, where the PHY connects to real or emulated satellite links, terminals, and core network components. This makes it suited for demonstrations, feasibility studies, and early operational environments.

By separating PHY responsibilities from higher-layer functions, teams can evaluate NR behaviour over satellite, assess system trade-offs, and evolve toward full-stack implementations as standards and programme maturity progress.

Discuss your integration requirements

We help teams identify the right split point and integration path for their programme.

Talk to our engineers
Integrated partner stack
Gatehouse Satcom - NR gNodeB PHY
5GC

Core Network

AMF, SMF, UPF and associated control-plane functions. Handles authentication, session management and mobility via the NG interface towards the RAN. Deployed on-ground in both transparent and regenerative NTN architectures.

L3

Layer 3 - RRC / PDCP

Radio Resource Control and Packet Data Convergence Protocol. Handles radio bearer setup, control-plane signalling and PDCP functions such as header compression and ciphering. Supports NTN-specific configuration including timing-advance pre-compensation for long propagation delays.

L2

Layer 2 - MAC

Manages scheduling, multiplexing and HARQ. For NTN, MAC includes HARQ adaptations for long round‑trip delays such as extended timing, adjusted feedback windows and HARQ‑less modes to ensure reliable operation under LEO, MEO and GEO conditions.

Split 6 - PHY / MAC boundary
Hi-PHY

High-PHY

Handles channel coding, modulation, MIMO processing, and HARQ buffering, including NTN‑specific adaptations for Doppler and long‑RTT operation. It provides a clear PHY–MAC interface, supporting both standard FAPI‑based integration and our optimised internal option for flexible L2 stack integration.

Split 7.2 - High-PHY / Low-PHY boundary
Lo-PHY

Low-PHY

FFT/IFFT, resource element mapping, OFDM symbol generation, cyclic-prefix insertion, and digital front-end processing. Split 7.2 is the most common Open RAN fronthaul split, but can be challenging in NTN deployments due to fronthaul timing constraints, particularly over long satellite links.

Split 8 - Full PHY / RF boundary
R.U.

Radio Unit

Analogue RF front-end — DAC/ADC conversion, up/down-conversion, power amplification, and antenna array control. The RU interfaces digitally with the DU via eCPRI or DIFI (VITA 49) over the fronthaul link, converting between the digital domain and the analogue RF signal chain. Split 8 is the traditional full-PHY/RF boundary: the entire Layer 1 is centralized (on ground or onboard a regenerative payload) with no disaggregation inside the PHY. Simplest architecture for early NTN deployments.

FAQ

Frequently asked question on the subject of 5G NTN New Radio gNodeB.

The solution includes structured technical documentation such as architecture overviews, interface definitions, deployment guidance, and validation materials.

Engineering support is available during integration and validation phases to ensure alignment with your system architecture and acceptance criteria. The objective is to provide a predictable path from integration to operational readiness.

The gNodeB is production-grade software designed for long-term operational use.

While it can be used in controlled validation environments, its architecture, performance model, and lifecycle support are built for commercial NTN deployment. This allows you to transition from proof-of-concept to live service without replacing core RAN software.

The gNodeB integrates with standards-compliant 5G Core implementations using defined 3GPP interfaces.

This enables reuse of existing 5GC infrastructure and validation tooling. It is designed for multi-vendor environments and interoperable system architectures, helping you maintain architectural freedom while minimizing integration friction.

The software is architected to operate in NTN environments that include both transparent and regenerative payload scenarios.

It supports flexible RAN deployment models and interface configurations, allowing you to align the gNodeB architecture with your satellite design, orbit strategy, and system roadmap.

This flexibility ensures that the RAN implementation does not constrain your broader network architecture decisions.

Yes. The gNodeB is designed in alignment with 3GPP Release 17 NTN specifications and structured to evolve with future releases.

We provide documented standards mapping so you can clearly trace implemented features against relevant 3GPP clauses. This supports architecture reviews, validation processes, and regulatory or partner discussions with confidence.

View all FAQs

Let's get in touch

Raphaela Teixeira
Sales Executive

I look forward to discuss your current roadmap for 5G NTN New Radio and show how we can help you strengthen it.

Please reach out to me or fill out this form to start a conversation.

Request at meeting at 5G NTN New Radio gNodeB

 

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