During the first reporting period, all work packages (WPs) kicked-off and overall the project is progressing well.
In WP2, the project reviewed the state-of-the-art in the SatCom and 3GPP domains, selected four Satellite Use Cases for eMBB and related scenarios for each to be further investigated. Subsequently, it defined a generic value chain for each scenario that along with the description of the scenario fed into the definition of the business, operational and technical requirements. For the business modelling work, partners mainly focused on the development of the generic methodology for cost, allocation and business modelling and an initial validation of the different models on a specific scenario.
WP3 defined an approach for architecture definition and it produced an overview of satellite systems with a focus on characteristics of the satellites that might have significant impacts on the 5G network when introducing a satellite link for backhauling (e.g. bandwidth, latency, etc.). It studied the positiotioning of satellite links in the 3GPP system architecture and identified all the possible implementation options, suggesting finally the SaT5G reference architecture view. Further work has also been done on defining the more detailed architecture for backhaul and caching and multicast.
WP4, which relates to the technical work under each Research Pillar (RP), has identified the features and schemes that need to be studied and started investigating how the outcomes of the RPs will feed into the demos. Although the work is still underway, we have already demonstrated some results from RPI and RPVI at EuCNC 2018 with a first-of-its-kind live over-the-air demo towards satellite integration into 5G.
WP5 completed the initial planning and preparation for the demos. The 5GIC testbed has continued its development during the period to be pre 3GPP Release 15 standard compliant. In the ZII testbed, work has progressed on the aircraft in-cabin mock-up for trials and logistics for the demos have been completed. The UOULU testbed has also progressed following the project advancements on developing a modified NR interface for use in the demo.
On dissemination, the project is on track to meet its targets with 2 journal publications, 1 book chapter, more than 10 public project presentations and a demo at EuCNC 2018. Inputs to standards are also progressing with numerous contributions to 3GPP and ETSI and 3 technical reports completed; 2 in 3GPP and 1 in CEPT.
