Keysight Technologies will demonstrate lab-based validation of 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) devices at Mobile World Congress 2026 in collaboration with Samsung Electronics’ System LSI Business. The demonstration focuses on end-to-end mobility and handover testing aligned with planned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite deployments, including Starlink Direct to Cell initiatives.
As satellite connectivity becomes a component of 5G evolution and early 6G planning, chipset and device vendors must validate NR-NTN performance before live satellite networks reach full scale. LEO constellations introduce rapid satellite motion, frequent beam and cell handovers, dynamic link conditions, and strict positioning requirements. In the absence of accessible live satellite systems during development, laboratory-based emulation provides a method to assess mobility, service continuity, and throughput under controlled yet realistic conditions.
At MWC 2026, Keysight will integrate its 5G Network Emulator with a Samsung NR-NTN modem to validate satellite and device mobility, service continuity, and higher-throughput MIMO configurations under parameters aligned with Starlink deployment scenarios. Keysight’s NTN Network Emulator Solutions recreate LEO satellite characteristics in the lab, including Doppler effects and propagation delay. The demonstration also incorporates positioning emulation enhanced through Keysight’s recent acquisition of Spirent, using PNT Xe to support GNSS-based positioning within an end-to-end validation workflow.
- Lab-based emulation of LEO satellite motion, Doppler shift, and dynamic link conditions
- Validation of NR-NTN mobility, handover, and service continuity
- Integration of Keysight 5G Network Emulator with Samsung NR-NTN modem
- Testing aligned with Starlink Direct to Cell deployment parameters
- Positioning validation using Spirent-derived PNT Xe GNSS emulation
Jungwon Lee, Executive Vice President of System LSI Modem Development Team at Samsung Electronics, said: “NR-NTN introduces new technical challenges for modem design, particularly around mobility, handover, and link adaptation in LEO environments. This demonstration with Keysight allows us to validate NR-NTN modem performance under representative satellite conditions, helping ensure readiness for future satellite-based 5G services.”
🌐 Analysis: Satellite-to-mobile initiatives are moving from standards work in 3GPP Release 17 and beyond toward commercial field trials, led by operators and constellation providers including Starlink. By combining network emulation with positioning validation, Keysight is positioning its test portfolio to address both RF mobility and PNT requirements, particularly following its acquisition of Spirent, as device vendors race to qualify chipsets ahead of direct-to-device service launches.
🌐 We’re tracking the latest developments in satellite and space-based connectivity. Follow our ongoing coverage at: https://convergedigest.com/category/space/
