Terrestrial 5G networks are currently unable to meet the global market demands for accessible and economical service delivery everywhere in the world. The need for continuous wireless service is expected to drive the evolution and expansion of networks into areas lacking broadband coverage, enhancing direct connectivity and IoT services. The integration of Terrestrial Networks (TN) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) into a Unified Network could provide comprehensive global coverage and connectivity at any time. NTNs are essential, not just supplementary, to realising the full potential of 5G and future networks in terms of coverage, reliability, capacity, and innovative services. Their role is expected to grow as 5G networks expand and the demand for more extensive global connectivity increases. This includes providing on-demand, cost-effective coverage in crowded and unserved areas, ensuring trunking, backhauling, direct connectivity, energy efficiency, supporting global IoT, facilitating high-speed mobility, and offering high-throughput services universally. Additionally, this integration aims to reduce physical site needs and enable immediate operational coverage and cost. The primary objective of the MECON project is to research and develop the technologies needed to seamlessly integrate satellite networks into future TN & NTN Unified Networks.

Project objectives:

The MECON project’s primary objective is the development of advanced technologies aimed at integrating satellite networks seamlessly into future Unified Networks. Addressing the on-demand cost-effective global coverage in crowded and unserved areas, guaranteeing trunking, backhauling, direct connectivity, energy efficiency, support for global IoT, high-speed mobility, and high-throughput services everywhere at anytime, decrease of site real estate, and instantaneous operation of coverage are the main outcomes of this project. To achieve its ambitious goals, the MECON project will explore various deployment scenarios, including the utilization of drones for backhauling in areas with limited or no terrestrial infrastructure. This approach offers flexibility and rapid deployment capabilities, ensuring connectivity in challenging environments. Additionally, the project will investigate direct-to-device connectivity, leveraging satellite communication to establish direct links with user equipment, thereby bypassing the need for intermediate terrestrial networks. Furthermore, the project will examine different gNB deployment strategies on satellites, optimizing resource allocation and network performance. These deployment scenarios are combined with innovative technologies and network architecture.