5G • 5G-Advanced (Rel-18)
5GC Satellite Interworking
Core Network Adaptation for High-Latency Episodic Satellite Links
Enhancements in AMF, SMF, and UPF allowing the 5G Core to gracefully accommodate hundreds of milliseconds of delay and periodic satellite link handovers.
Technical Explanation
Terrestrial core networks assume sub-10 ms backhaul latency; running standard NAS timers over satellite links would trigger false timeouts and connection resets. Rel-18 5GC Satellite Interworking updates core NAS and PFCP timers, supports high-latency GTP-U tunnel buffers, and manages periodic gateway feeder link switchovers without dropping active subscriber sessions.
Key Functions
- Adapts 5G Core control and user plane timers to accommodate satellite orbital delays
- Prevents false NAS and PFCP signaling timeouts during long propagation delay spikes
- Manages seamless user plane IP re-routing across orbiting satellite constellations
- Integrates terrestrial mobile cores directly with global commercial satellite fleet gateways
Specifications
3GPP TS 23.501, TS 23.502 (Rel-18)
Interfaces
N2N3N4
Related 5G Concepts
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