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Overview
NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) technology extends cellular communications beyond traditional terrestrial infrastructure by utilising satellite-based radio access networks. NTN enables IoT and machine-to-machine devices to operate in remote, rural, maritime and geographically challenging environments where conventional cellular coverage may be unavailable. This guide explains the terminology commonly encountered during NTN surveys.
NTN Network Evolution
NTN deployments are evolving rapidly through ongoing 3GPP standardisation. Network capabilities, satellite support, mobility features and service availability may vary depending upon operator deployment, satellite provider and 3GPP release support.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| SNYPER-IoTS Graphyte (GL) | LTE-M, NB-IoT, GSM and NTN network Analyser & Datalogger . |
| CloudSURVEY | Cellular and NTN survey visualisation platform. |
This guide explains:
Expected Result
At the end of this guide the user will understand the identifiers, measurements and satellite communication terminology reported during NTN surveys.
NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) refers to cellular networks delivered through satellite infrastructure rather than conventional terrestrial base stations.
NTN enables cellular connectivity in locations where traditional mobile network coverage is unavailable or impractical.
Typical NTN deployment scenarios include:
NTN technologies are standardised within 3GPP and integrate with existing LTE and 5G cellular architectures.
GEO satellites operate at approximately 35,786 km above the Earth's surface and remain fixed relative to a specific geographic location.
MEO satellites operate between low and geostationary orbital altitudes.
LEO satellites operate at significantly lower altitudes, typically between 500 km and 2,000 km.
Most modern cellular NTN deployments are based upon LEO constellations due to improved radio performance and reduced propagation delay.
A coverage footprint represents the geographical area served by a satellite beam.
Coverage footprints determine:
Satellite visibility refers to whether a satellite can be successfully received by the NTN device.
Satellite visibility directly influences:
The Mobile Country Code identifies the country associated with the network operator.
| MCC | Country |
|---|---|
| 901 | International Networks |
| 234 | United Kingdom |
| 262 | Germany |
NTN operators may utilise conventional national MCC values or international mobile network allocations.
The Mobile Network Code identifies the operator providing NTN service.
| MCC | MNC | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| 901 | XX | International Satellite Network |
| 234 | XX | National Operator NTN Service |
The MNC identifies the specific NTN service provider.
The Tracking Area Code identifies a service region within the cellular network.
TAC values support:
The Cell ID uniquely identifies an NTN serving cell or satellite beam.
| Parameter | Example |
|---|---|
| Cell ID | 12345678 |
| TAC | 32101 |
| Operator | Satellite NTN Provider |
Cell IDs support:
Physical Cell Identity identifies an LTE or 5G NTN radio cell.
| PCI Range | Description |
|---|---|
| 0–503 | LTE PCI range |
| 0–1007 | 5G NR PCI range |
PCI allows devices to distinguish neighbouring NTN cells and beams.
EARFCN and NR-ARFCN identify the operating carrier frequency used by LTE-based or 5G-based NTN networks.
These identifiers define:
RSRP measures received signal strength from the NTN serving cell.
RSRP is the primary NTN signal strength measurement.
| NTN RSRP Signal Strength Scale (dBm) | ||||
| Poor | Weak | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| < -125 | -125 to -115 | -115 to -105 | -105 to -95 | > -95 |
RSRQ measures radio signal quality by comparing useful signal power against total received energy.
RSRQ provides an indication of interference and overall radio conditions.
| NTN RSRQ Signal Quality Scale (dB) | ||||
| Poor | Weak | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| < -18 | -18 to -15 | -15 to -12 | -12 to -9 | > -9 |
SINR measures radio quality by comparing useful signal power against interference and background noise.
SINR is one of the strongest indicators of expected NTN radio performance.
| NTN SINR Quality Scale (dB) | ||||
| Poor | Weak | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| < 0 | 0 to 5 | 5 to 10 | 10 to 20 | > 20 |
Propagation delay represents the time required for signals to travel between the device and the satellite.
Propagation delay affects:
| Satellite Type | Typical Latency Behaviour |
|---|---|
| LEO | Low latency |
| MEO | Moderate latency |
| GEO | Higher latency |
NTN radio performance can be affected by:
Maintaining clear sky visibility generally improves NTN performance.
Characteristics typically include:
Characteristics typically include:
Characteristics typically include:
| Observation | Possible Cause | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Low RSRP | Weak satellite signal | Improve antenna visibility to the sky. |
| Poor RSRQ | Radio interference or weak conditions | Review antenna installation environment. |
| Low SINR | High interference or obstruction | Reduce environmental blockage. |
| No NTN Detection | Satellite unavailable or unsupported service | Verify NTN availability and device support. |
| Intermittent Connectivity | Satellite visibility limitations | Improve antenna placement and sky exposure. |
| Parameter | Purpose |
|---|---|
| MCC | Country identification. |
| MNC | Operator identification. |
| TAC | Tracking area identification. |
| Cell ID | Cell or beam identification. |
| PCI | Radio cell identification. |
| EARFCN / NR-ARFCN | Frequency identification. |
| RSRP | Signal strength indication. |
| RSRQ | Signal quality indication. |
| SINR | Radio performance indication. |
| Propagation Delay | Satellite latency indication. |
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