Dynamically Reconfigurable Metasurface Antennas for Mobile Connectivity in 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks

A 5G New Radio standard supporting non-terrestrial networks (NTN) is being defined in 3GPP Releases 17 and 18 that will provide for a common 5G protocol that operates across terrestrial and satellite networks. Kymeta has commercialized a novel electronically scanned array (ESA) technology for mobile satellite communications, utilizing reconfigurable holographic metasurfaces, that fills a critical gap in addressing 5G NTNs. The latest advances in this antenna technology, as well as recent demonstrations of direct access over GEO satellite with the 5G New Radio Release 17 waveform and enhancements for mobile environments conducted in partnership with Fraunhofer IIS, will be reported.