Opportunity awaits as NTN innovation propels satellite connectivity
Satellite connectivity is reaching a pivotal moment – and the UK is well placed to seize the extraordinary business and societal potential of the emerging technologies. At the heart of the progress is NTNs, or non-terrestrial networks. Representing a sophisticated mix of ingenious deep tech innovation and complex platform hardware, they are set to extend 5G connectivity to the most out of the way areas of earth.
In this article, I want to focus on this exciting future through the lens of the technologies and techniques that are enabling NTNs, which include quantum, AI, advanced antennas, beamforming, signal processing and novel computational architectures. If you’d like more detailed analysis of these subjects, they’re explored by my Cambridge Consultants colleagues in a new whitepaper: Assembling rebel alliances to compete in the new NTN economy.
Transformative free space optics
To cut to the chase here, let me put the spotlight on one area of particular and compelling interest – free space optics (FSO). This relatively recent area of innovation has only been made commercially viable thanks to significant advancements in laser technology and optical components. They’ve spawned a transformative approach to data transmission by leveraging light propagation through free space to deliver unparallelled high-bandwidth and low-latency communications.
FSO can now transmit data over significantly longer distances and at higher speeds for both increased range and capacity, while also offering the improved resilience satellite operators need for interference-free operation in challenging environments.
Meanwhile, the modular nature of FSO brings seamless scalability, offering greater flexibility to meet growing data demands through future-proofed solutions. And because FSO doesn’t need extensive ground infrastructure, deployment can be both rapid and cost-effective.
Low-latency, high-bandwidth links
FSO is already an area of interest for industrial automation and military communications – but it could be particularly transformative for the satellite industry because it provides low-latency, high-bandwidth links through space or even through the atmosphere to the ground. This is vital for applications such as Earth Observation where the meaningful and timely exploitation of sensor data is key.
The teams at Cambridge Consultants are working to remove some of the remaining obstacles to FSO applications. Currently through-atmosphere FSO links suffer from atmospheric absorption and turbulence, while all such links face complications associated with pointing, tracking and acquisition. Atmospheric conditions especially, namely fog, smog and clouds, significantly affect FSO communications. We’re creating a model – utilising sophisticated AI processing – to circumvent adverse weather while cutting down on unnecessary costs and assets for a more streamlined operation.
Another particularly fascinating area of progress in satellite connectivity is the infrastructure side of space innovation. For example, if we are going to create data centres in space – in five- or ten-years’ time – we’re going to have to turn to optical networking with Photonics Integrated Circuits (PICs).
Progress through the power of light
As society’s appetite for power-hungry data processing continues to grow, so does the need for energy-efficient but increasingly powerful computing solutions. This is the backdrop to our pioneering applications of photonic computing, which presents an ingenious solution by offering dramatically enhanced sustainability and low latency compute. Through the power of light, photonics has transformative potential for multiple fields – including free space communication.
There are several good reasons for wanting to use optical cross link lasers between satellites. It negates the need for spectrum for a start, but perhaps the most compelling benefit is sheer speed. An optical approach is an extraordinarily fast mechanism of communication. Without diving into the weeds of detail, let me assure you that it replaces a world of wiring and switching and routing with swift, massive data bandwidth across the whole network.
[Image 1- CC development chip being used to evaluate our Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Test Rig, used to couple light into the chip without the need for optical packaging
Image 2- The CC PIC has an optical phased array that uses a large optical switching network, with novel architecture to reduce electrical I/O requirements and minimise energy consumption.]
For me, everything I’ve been discussing points towards one thing: opportunity. Now is the time for government and industry to come together to collaborate, to plan and to seize the global initiative. There’s a fundamental truth at play here that the savviest space and satellite players have already cottoned on to. Soon, having a capability in space won’t just be a nice to have – it will be as essential as your Wi-Fi connection.
techUK - Breakthroughs in Satellite Connectivity
techUK’s Breakthroughs in Satellite Connectivity campaign is our showcase of the opportunities and benefits created by the latest advances in satellite technology.
During this campaign, techUK will run a regular drumbeat of activity, including videos, reports, and insights, to demonstrate some of the most exciting satellite innovations.
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Contact the team
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant.
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
Authors
Stewart Marsh
Stewart Marsh is Head of Aerospace at Cambridge Consultants, part of Capgemini Invent and known as the deep tech powerhouse of Capgemini. With more than 20 years of experience in aerospace and telecommunications, Stewart helps companies achieve technology breakthroughs that unlock transformative business value, including a world-first Push-to-Talk satellite service and a beyond visual line-of-sight UAV solution using low-power satellite technology.