Bridging the Gap: Dual-Mode NTN & Terrestrial IoT Connectivity
Antennas for satellite and cellular combined communications
SATELLITE IOT
Connectivity Beyond our Reach
Satellite IoT - Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial IoT Connectivity
Satellite IoT is a broad term for connectivity that adds satellite communications to traditional IoT protocols.
Traditional IoT communicaitons encompass many communication protocols but they are hosted or enabled through technology and infrastructure based on the ground. This is enabled through Terrestrial Networks (TN).
Satellite IoT connectivity adds the ability to utilize Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Mid Earth Orbit (MEO) and High Earth Orbit (HEO) satellite systems which are known as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
SATELLITE TYPES
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, positioned 500-1200 km’s above Earth, orbit rapidly and are ideal for IoT networks. A LEO satellite constellation can now support low data rate communications through specific LTE frequencies.
DIRECT-TO-DEVICE (D2D) ANTENNAS
What is Direct-To-Device (D2D)?
TE Connectivity’s (TE) dual-mode Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Terrestrial (TN) satellite IoT antennas can offer functionality for traditional terrestrial coverage through cell towers, LTE satellite bands, and and other frequency bands for LEO satellite coverage.
This dual-mode or combination is commonly known as Direct-To-Device (D2D) or Direct-To-Cell (D2C) communications.
TE D2D Antenna Benefits:
Dual-mode capable - Supporting Terrestrial Networks (TN) and Non-Terrestrial Networks(NTN) from a single antenna,
- TN – Two-way 5G/4G/LTE cellular coverage using existing cell tower and other cellular infrastructure.
- NTN – Two-way communications directly with LEO satellites using LTE frequency bands.
Enabling dual-mode communications via IoT devices:
- Prioritizing terrestrial networks but capable of automatically switching to satellite when the signal is weak or unavailable.
- Satellite communications can also be set as the primary communication mode in areas where no cellular coverage is available using an appropriate cellular router, gateway or radio.
