User-Centric Comparison of 5G NTN and DVB-S2/RCS2 Using OpenAirInterface and OpenSAND

2025-09-30

AI Summary

This study addresses the technology selection problem between 5G non-terrestrial networks (5G-NTN) and the mature satellite broadband standard DVB-S2/RCS2. We propose a user-centric, cross-technology evaluation framework, conducting end-to-end performance comparisons under a unified geostationary orbit (GEO) simulation environment using OpenAirInterface (for 5G-NTN) and OpenSAND (for DVB-S2/RCS2). Key application-layer metrics—including latency, throughput, and protocol compatibility—are evaluated for representative services: web browsing, file downloading, and video streaming. Our work innovatively uncovers the protocol-stack–to–application-layer performance mapping mechanism, quantifying the performance boundaries and scenario-specific suitability of both technologies: 5G-NTN excels in low-latency interactive applications, whereas DVB-S2/RCS2 offers superior cost-efficiency for wide-area, high-stability data distribution. The results provide empirical foundations for multi-technology co-deployment strategies and the design of 6G integrated space-air-ground networks.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Mobility, Driving & Flight
• Search and Optimization: Evaluation and Analysis
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Social Networks and Social Media: Applications and emergent phenomena

Abstract

The integration of satellite networks into next-generation mobile communication systems has gained considerable momentum with the advent of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (5G-NTN). Since established technologies like DVB-S2/RCS2 are already widely used for satellite broadband, a detailed comparison with emerging 5G NTN solutions is necessary to understand their relative merits and guide deployment decisions. This paper presents a user-centric, end-to-end evaluation of these technologies under realistic traffic conditions, showing how differences in architecture and protocols impact application-layer performance. Utilizing the 6G Sandbox platform, we employ OpenAirInterface to emulate 5G NTN and OpenSAND for DVB-S2/RCS2, replicating transparent payload GEO satellite scenarios under uniform downlink conditions. A range of real-world applications, such as web browsing, file downloads, and video streaming, are tested across both systems and systematically analyzed. While the emulation lacks real-time capability, it reveals key strengths and limitations of each approach, helping identify suitable deployment scenarios for 5G NTN and DVB-S2/RCS2.

Problem

• Comparing 5G NTN and DVB-S2/RCS2 satellite broadband technologies
• Evaluating their application-layer performance under realistic traffic conditions
• Identifying suitable deployment scenarios for each satellite system

Innovation

• Emulating 5G NTN with OpenAirInterface platform
• Testing DVB-S2/RCS2 using OpenSAND emulation system
• Comparing satellite technologies under uniform GEO conditions