Samsung launches standardized 5G NTN modem technology
Samsung has announced that it has mastered the standardization of Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) technology for 5G, which will be used for direct communication between smartphones and satellites, especially in remote areas. Samsung also plans to integrate this technology into the Exynos modem solution to accelerate the commercialization of 5G satellite communication and pave the way for the Internet of Everything (IoE) era driven by 6G.
NTN is a communication technology that uses satellites and other non-ground transportation to bring network connections to areas that were previously inaccessible through ground networks, including mountains, deserts, and the middle of the ocean. This is particularly important for ensuring operability in disaster areas and providing power for future urban air traffic, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and flying cars. Samsung’s goal is to be the first to promote a ground-NTN hybrid communication ecosystem worldwide in preparation for the arrival of 6G.
By meeting the latest 5G NTN standards defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP Release 17), Samsung’s NTN technology will help ensure interoperability and scalability between service providers, mobile device manufacturers, and chip companies. To enable reliable NTN communication with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Samsung has used the Exynos Modem 5300 reference platform to develop and simulate satellite technology based on the 5G NTN standard, accurately predicting satellite positions and minimizing frequency offset caused by the Doppler effect. Based on this technology, Samsung’s future Exynos modem will support bi-directional text messaging, as well as high-definition image and video sharing.
In addition, Samsung plans to ensure standardized Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology for the next-generation modem platform. By integrating satellite connectivity, Samsung’s NB-IoT solution eliminates the need for mobile device manufacturers to build a separate high-power wireless antenna chip, providing greater design flexibility.
Earlier reports suggested that Samsung was planning to bring satellite communication capabilities to its Galaxy series phones, but the latest Galaxy S23 series does not offer satellite communication. It uses a customized version of the second-generation Snapdragon platform, which supports Qualcomm’s recently launched Snapdragon Satellite. Samsung candidly admits that it is not yet the right time, as the function’s effectiveness is still limited, so there is no rush to introduce it. From the standardization of 5G NTN technology announced this time, it appears that Samsung has even greater ambitions.
