Samsung Electronics has announced that it has obtained standardized 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN) modem technology to enable direct communication between smartphones and satellites, particularly in remote areas.
The company plans to incorporate this technology into its Exynos modem solutions, accelerating the commercialization of 5G satellite communications and paving the way for the 6G-driven Internet of Everything (IoE) era.
Min Goo Kim, Executive Vice President of CP (Communication Processor) Development at Samsung Electronics, said, "Samsung aims to take the lead in advancing hybrid terrestrial-NTN communications ecosystems around the world in preparation for the arrival of 6G."
NTN technology uses satellites and other non-terrestrial vehicles to provide connectivity to previously unreachable areas, such as over mountains, across deserts, or in the middle of the ocean.
It will also be essential for ensuring operability in disaster areas and powering future urban air mobility (UAM) such as unmanned aircraft and flying cars.
Samsung's NTN technology meets the latest 5G NTN standards defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP Release 17), ensuring interoperability and scalability among services offered by global telecom carriers, mobile device makers, and chip companies.
Samsung has developed and simulated 5G NTN standard-based satellite technology using its Exynos Modem 5300 reference platform for highly reliable NTN communication with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Future Exynos modems will support two-way text messaging as well as high-definition image and video sharing.
Furthermore, Samsung plans to secure a standardized NB-IoT NTN technology for use in its next-generation modem platforms, which will eliminate the need for a separate high-power wireless antenna chip inside smartphones, providing mobile device makers with much greater design flexibility.
