Mobile networks expanding to space: Overview of the seranis beyond 5G testbed

In recent years, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) have gained increased attention from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) due to their potential to enhance cellular networks by improving coverage, resiliency, and reliability, especially in rural areas and disaster scenarios. The upcoming Sixth-Generation (6G) cellular networks aim to establish layers of cells at different altitudes with Base Stations (BSs) on Earth and in space, providing a seamless user experience. Testing and experimentation are crucial for realizing this ambitious vision. University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UniBw M) is deploying a Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G testbed comprising both space and ground segments. The space segment of the testbed is composed of the ATHENE-1 satellite that is going to be launched in 2025. The ground segment includes the satellite ground station with several full motion antennas for the radiofrequency links and an optical ground station for the free-space optical link based on laser technology, while the Terrestrial Network (TN) component is deployed using a Fifth-Generation (5G) Non-Public Network (NPN) with multiple gNodeBs (gNBs) and multiple 5G core solutions. In its current state, the testbed includes various measurement equipment and emulators in the 5G Lab, a Gnb with two active cells, a core network, a satellite ground station, and a mobile 5G on-the-move solution. This testbed allows various experiments including interference management between existing networks, positioning and localization, Public Protection and Disaster Recovery (PPDR) using Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) and NTN. This paper describes the components of the Seamless Radio Access Networks for Internet of Space (SeRANIS) B5G testbed, the current status, future deployment plan, preliminary test results, and planned tests.