AP Satellite and KT SAT Successfully Demonstrate 5G NR NTN GEO Satellite Technology

AP Satellite announced on September 12 that it successfully demonstrated 3GPP standard-based 5G NR NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network) technology with KT SAT on the 3rd of this month.

This demonstration was conducted by connecting AP Satellite's self-developed 5G NR NTN terminal and base station system to the Mugunghwa 6A satellite (geostationary orbit, GEO) using KT SAT's Geumsan Satellite Center ground infrastructure. Through this, the companies confirmed that NTN technology can be applied to satellite communication networks utilizing existing GEO satellites, and proved the completeness of AP Satellite's terminal technology.

During the demonstration, data transmission was implemented using a 5MHz bandwidth and 16QAM modulation in a communication environment between the GEO satellite, located 36,000 km away, and the terminal. A BLER (Block Error Rate) of 0% was recorded. This verified that users can be provided with stable data services at speeds of around 4Mbps.

5G NR NTN is a next-generation mobile communication technology that applies 5G NR technology to satellite communications. It requires advanced technologies such as long transmission latency management and Doppler frequency correction. In this demonstration, key features defined in 3GPP Release-17 were applied, including downlink HARQ deactivation and uplink timing advance.

AP Satellite is a company with core technologies in satellite systems and terminals. It develops and manufactures all components of the MSS (Mobile Satellite Service) system. In the 5G NTN field, it has already developed terminal modems that support both GEO and LEO satellites. By proving stable operation at 300Mbps in the Ka-band using commercial base station emulator equipment, AP Satellite is leading next-generation satellite communication technology.

Additionally, in July last year, AP Satellite became a subsidiary of Contec Space Group, a company specializing in satellite ground station construction and integrated satellite data platforms. By integrating satellite and satellite communication terminal development and manufacturing, the company has completed a full vertical chain for the space business, covering both upstream and downstream operations.

By the end of this year, AP Satellite aims to complete an AIT (Assembly, Integration & Test) center in the Seoul metropolitan area, which will enable independent production, testing, and verification of small satellites as well as testing of satellite communication terminals. Through this, the company is positioning itself as the world's only all-in-one satellite data service provider, continuously strengthening its global competitiveness and technological leadership.

KT SAT is the only satellite communication service provider in Korea. Based on its five currently operating GEO satellites, it is gradually verifying the applicability of NTN technology. Building on this achievement, KT SAT plans to continue proactively reviewing the commercialization of NTN-based ground stations and terminals to enhance the competitiveness of its next GEO satellites in the global market.

The two companies plan to further strengthen their cooperation based on the results of this demonstration, focusing on the advancement of NTN technology, the development of new technologies, and the expansion into overseas markets.