Description
The objective of the activity is to study and define a technical and deployment roadmap for edge-computing-enabled Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G space infrastructure. Use cases of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) edge computing will be selected and a corresponding demonstrator will be breadboarded and tested.Targeted Improvements: Enabling edge-computing-capable space infrastructure.Description:The Beyond 5G (B5G)/towards 6G roadmap is rapidly evolving alongside the 3GPP standardisation process with NTN enhancements already included in Release 18 and even more advanced NTN features proposed for Release 19 such as, for example, architectures featuring edgecomputing capabilities aboard the satellites to flexibly and dynamically allocate storage and processing to assigned tasks.Edge computing satellite systems are set to serve both direct access and transport (backhaul) connectivity and to enhance performance i.e., lower latency -shorter data paths, reduced impact on backhaul, flexibility (possibility of satellite edge-to-edge node), user equipment simplification. Edge computing on-board implies not only splitting of core functionalities between ground and payload but alsocustomisation of the network to serve specific use cases. While applicability of edge computing in NTN networks is highly promisingin terms of performance enhancement, such architectures are technical immature.ESA/IPC(2022)197,rev.1Annex II, Page 6EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCYIndustrial Policy CommitteeProcurement Proposal for ARTES 4.0 Strategic Programme Line "Space for 5G" for 2023Procurement Policy Open Competitive Tender Type: CPrice type Firm Fixed PriceWeighting Factor 1Activity Ref. Activity Title Budget (kEuro) Classification3A.184 Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G non-terrestrial networks edge computing satellites 1,200 BObjective: The objective of the activity is to study and define a technical and deployment roadmap for edge-computing-enabled Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G space infrastructure. Use cases of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) edge computing will be selected and a corresponding demonstrator will be breadboarded and tested.TargetedImprovements:Enabling edge-computing-capable space infrastructure.Description: The Beyond 5G (B5G)/towards 6G roadmap is rapidly evolving alongside the 3GPP standardisation process with NTN enhancements already included in Release 18 and even moreadvanced NTN features proposed for Release 19 such as, for example, architectures featuring edge computing capabilities aboard the satellites to flexibly and dynamically allocatestorage and processing to assigned tasks.Edge computing satellitesystems are set to serve both direct access and transport (backhaul) connectivity and to enhance performance i.e., lower latency -shorter data paths, reducedimpact on backhaul, flexibility (possibility of satellite edge-to-edge node), user equipment simplification. Edge computing on-board implies not only splitting of core functionalities betweenground and payload but also customisation of the network to serve specific use cases. While applicability of edge computing in NTN networks is highly promising in terms of performance enhancement, such architectures are technical immature.The main objective of the activity is therefore to define a technical and deployment roadmap of edge computing enabled B5G/6G space infrastructure for provisioning services for consumer and vertical market segments, reaching levels of performance, reliability, resilience, and security set forward for mid to longer term.The activity will study and develop a space infrastructure architecture and techniques including:cooperative multi-access scenarios (multi-orbit constellations), and how best to monitor, manage and synchronise NTN network nodes i.e., when two edges are visible at thesamepoint; constrained edge computing implementation on board; how to minimise the consumption of resources for continuous nodes management and the split of management functionalities; implications of pushing intelligence on-board and/or user equipment; possibility to develop single set of network functions and components for a variety of use cases to be identified and prioritised; how a continuous integration/continuous development approach can be implemented for NTN.ESA/IPC(2022)197,rev.1Annex II, Page 6EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCYIndustrial Policy CommitteeProcurement Proposal for ARTES 4.0 Strategic Programme Line "Space for 5G" for 2023Procurement Policy Open Competitive Tender Type: CPrice type Firm Fixed PriceWeighting Factor 1Activity Ref. Activity Title Budget (kEuro) Classification3A.184 Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G non-terrestrial networks edge computing satellites 1,200 BObjective: The objective of the activity is to study and define a technical and deployment roadmap for edge-computing-enabled Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G spaceinfrastructure. Use cases of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) edge computing will be selected and a corresponding demonstrator will be breadboarded and tested.TargetedImprovements:Enabling edge-computing-capable space infrastructure.Description: The Beyond 5G (B5G)/towards 6G roadmap is rapidly evolving alongside the 3GPP standardisation process with NTN enhancements already included in Release 18 and even moreadvanced NTN features proposed for Release 19 such as, for example, architectures featuring edge computing capabilities aboard the satellites to flexibly and dynamically allocatestorage and processing to assigned tasks.Edge computing satellite systems are set to serve both direct access and transport (backhaul) connectivity and to enhance performance i.e., lower latency-shorter data paths, reducedimpact on backhaul, flexibility (possibility of satellite edge-to-edge node), user equipment simplification. Edge computing on-board implies not only splitting of core functionalities betweenground and payload but also customisation of the network to serve specific use cases. While applicability of edge computing in NTN networks is highly promising in terms of performanceenhancement, such architectures are technical immature.The main objective of the activity is therefore to define a technical and deployment roadmap of edge computing enabled B5G/6G space infrastructure for provisioning services forconsumer and verticalmarket segments, reaching levels of performance, reliability, resilience, and security set forward for mid to longer term.The activity will study and develop a space infrastructure architecture and techniques including: cooperative multi-access scenarios (multi-orbit constellations), and how best to monitor, manage and synchronise NTN network nodes i.e., when two edges are visible at thesame point; constrained edge computing implementation on board; how to minimise the consumption of resources for continuous nodesmanagement and the split of management functionalities; implications of pushing intelligence on-board and/or user equipment; possibility to develop single set of network functions and components for a variety of use cases to be identified and prioritised; how a continuous integration/continuous development approach can be implemented for NTN.The activity will be implemented in a phased approach. First, to meet the objectives, the activity will identify different architectural alternatives and will assess their pros and cons, expected performance, benefits and costs. The activity will then assess technologies readiness and identify any gaps that must be addressed by the satellite industry to implement the edge computing architectures and deploy operational networks.Secondly, a technology demonstrator of edge computing NTN will be proposed and implemented by CCNs but staying within the total budget envelope. Use case assessment will be performed by appropriate testbed against enhanced NTN features (at least rel.18/19).