Gatehouse Satcom

5G is the next big thing in the world of connectivity, able to bridge the worlds of telecom and satcom by facilitating data transfer across cellular and satellite networks seamlessly. Riding on the 5G wave, network stakeholders are moving toward the integration of terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks.

Gatehouse Satcom is among the leading innovators bolstering the 5G movement through a broad range of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) offerings. The satellite communications knowledge and expertise it has accumulated over the past 20 years within not only 5G NTN but also BGAN and DAMA, translates to seamless and resilient connectivity for its clients.

“Living in the modern world, we expect to be connected everywhere,” says Thomas S. Jensen, CEO of Gatehouse Satcom. “We make this happen through our satellite connectivity solutions.”

Gatehouse started developing a 5G narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) NTN protocol stack when it realized the potential of 5G NTN as a horizontal specification that could be used across different satellite systems. The 5G NTN protocol stack development qualified it to participate in the 3GPP panel, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the 5G specifications. This involvement has allowed Gatehouse to enhance the 5G NTN standards and leave its mark on the final specifications.

By standardizing 5G NB-IoT NTN specifications through the current Release 17 and upcoming releases, Gatehouse aims to facilitate standardized, seamless integration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. By enabling traditionally cellular-only devices to connect to satellite networks, the Gatehouse 5G NB-IoT NTN software allows them to function in areas where traditional cellular networks are unavailable.

This will ensure different networks and devices can communicate with each other effectively and efficiently, regardless of their location.

When a device or satellite equipped with the Gatehouse 5G NB-IoT NTN software needs to communicate with another device or service, it first establishes a connection with the nearest base station. The base station acts as a gateway to the core network, which is responsible for managing communication between different devices and services.

Gatehouse has developed protocol stacks for the base station and user equipment sides of 5G Narrowband IoT and actively participated in the 3GPP body to put its footprint on the specifications. Its focus is now on further developing the standardized protocol for satellite operators, enabling satellite communication to be seamlessly integrated into the larger 5G network.

Gatehouse’s satellite communication software and test solutions have for decades been used for mission critical communication systems, including military and emergency response operations. They are also used in disaster relief efforts, providing communication and connectivity in areas affected by natural disasters or other emergencies.

A commitment to quality and reliability is evident throughout Gatehouse’s portfolio, with most of Gatehouse’s waveforms and protocol stacks being complemented by dedicated solutions for professional Verification and Validation (V&V) as well as a customer support team available 24/7 to assist customers.

Gatehouse’s test solution portfolio is used for some of the most rigorous testing and certification processes. These products and services are mainly used by the notoriously quality-oriented aerospace industry to perform extensive testing to ensure they meet the highest performance and reliability standards.

The professional V&V solutions enable a digital twin environment, allowing for aeroplanes or drones to “fly” around in any scenario and flight conditions without ever leaving the ground. Flight paths can be emulated, and a complete satellite connectivity report can document if and how connectivity was maintained throughout the flight. The solutions are key to verifying and validating compliance with industry standards and regulations such as Inmarsat Type Approval.

“We are very proud to be championing the continuous journey toward ever-improving software technology to ensure secure and reliable satellite connectivity across any segment,” says Thomas S. Jensen, CEO of Gatehouse Satcom. “When it comes down to it, true value is not about enabling impressive one-off high throughput, but ensuring the most consistent performance in any scenario.”

Gatehouse Satcom’s solutions ensure customers stay connected and productive in remote and challenging environments. Its commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation has made Gatehouse a trusted partner for businesses and organizations worldwide.