Kapovits, AdamAdamKapovitsCorici, Marius-IulianMarius-IulianCoriciGheorghe-Pop, Ilie-DanielIlie-DanielGheorghe-PopGavras, AnastasiusAnastasiusGavrasBurkhardt, FrankFrankBurkhardtSchlichter, ThomasThomasSchlichterCovaci, StefanStefanCovaci2022-03-052022-03-052018https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/25398110.1109/CC.2018.8438271In this paper we evaluate the feasibility of seamless and efficient integration of terrestrial communication systems with satellite networks. This aspect is considered by standardisation bodies such as ETSI [1], 5G-PPP [2] and 3GPP [3]. A comprehensive system is designed and implemented in an emulation prototype, including standard 3GPP LTE core network functionality [4] with its different layers: networking, data forwarding, control, management and monitoring and is validated through performance measurements. This work is a technical feasibility study of extending terrestrial communication systems with satellite networks as backhaul, increasing the energy efficiency, network robustness during natural disasters as well as being an alternative for peak-time data forwarding of the terrestrial communication services. Due to its global coverage property, terrestrial-satellite integration provides an obvious extension of communication services towards isolated and remote areas and an alternative for rural or highly distributed/highly mobile enterprise networks.en621004006journal article