- At Mobile World Congress 2026, Keysight Technologies and Samsung Electronics’ System LSI Business unit are presenting a laboratory validation solution for NR-NTN (New Radio – Non-Terrestrial Networks) terminals designed for 5G satellite communications in low Earth orbit (LEO).
The demonstration is based on the integration of Keysight’s 5G network emulator with an NR-NTN modem developed by Samsung. The goal is to reproduce representative LEO satellite deployment scenarios in the laboratory, particularly those associated with Starlink’s “Direct to Cell” service.
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), integrated into the 3GPP specifications for 5G, introduce specific technical constraints related to the orbital characteristics of LEO satellites. Their speed of movement leads to rapid changes in network topology, a high frequency of inter-cell handovers, and fluctuations in radio transmission conditions. Added to this are strict requirements for time synchronization and positioning.
In the early stages of development, access to operational satellite infrastructure remains limited. Therefore, manufacturers of electronic chips and terminals rely on emulation environments to evaluate mobility, service continuity, and throughput performance under conditions close to real-world operation.
Mobility, Handover, and MIMO Configurations
The platform presented at MWC allows testing of satellite and terminal mobility management, handover procedures, and radio link adaptation. The scenarios also incorporate MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) configurations designed to evaluate data transmission performance in an NTN context.
The emulation parameters are aligned with LEO deployment assumptions comparable to those considered for direct-to-device services. The chosen approach aims to validate interoperability between the NR-NTN modem and the simulated network infrastructure within a reproducible test framework.
Integration of GNSS Positioning Functions
The demonstration also includes positioning emulation capabilities from Keysight’s PNT Xe solution, enhanced following the acquisition of Spirent Communications. This solution enables the simulation of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) signals to integrate positioning functions into an end-to-end validation workflow.
Positioning plays a central role in NTN networks, particularly for beam management, synchronization, and optimization of handover procedures. The combined integration of radio tests and GNSS scenarios aims to reproduce the interactions between connectivity and location in a controlled environment.
Industrial Implications
For Samsung, the laboratory validation of NR-NTN modems focuses primarily on mobility management, inter-cell handovers, and link adaptation in LEO environments. For Keysight, the challenge lies in providing testing tools that allow ecosystem stakeholders to verify the performance and interoperability of equipment in advance.
This demonstration takes place within a context where direct satellite connectivity to devices is progressing towards commercial deployment phases. The work presented at Mobile World Congress 2026 illustrates the importance of laboratory validation platforms to support the integration of non-terrestrial networks into the 5G architecture, and ultimately into the evolution towards 6G.
