PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The objective of MiRAGE is to develop and functionally verify a cloud-native, virtualised ground segment for Direct-to-Handheld 5G services over Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
The project defines and implements an architecture for hosting selected Radio Access Network functions, and selected 5G Core functions, in a flexible cloud computing infrastructure. It addresses key technical aspects such as dynamic resource allocation, NTN-specific channel effects, network-side adaptations and pre-compensation to support unmodified commercial User Equipment, with the aim of improving efficiency, scalability and cost-effectiveness for Direct-to-Handheld services.
Benefits
MiRAGE lays the foundations of a functionally verified system and demonstrates the potential value of applying cloud-native technologies to satellite ground segments.
The results identify and verify the network-side pre-compensation techniques required to support unmodified commercial User Equipment, and point to more efficient use of computing infrastructure, easier deployment across cloud or on-premises environments, and reduced dependence on fixed-capacity systems.
The project also helps satellite operators, mobile network operators and technology providers understand the opportunities, limitations and development steps associated with virtualised Direct-to-Handheld ground segment solutions.
Features
The MiRAGE demonstrator combines:
• Generation of realistic network traffic with voice, text message, data and multimedia traffic profiles;
• Traffic demand analysis and modelling to drive the elasticity and scalability of the cloud-based system for peak demand over 24-hour periods;
• Satellite channel emulation, including delay, Doppler, path loss, fading and satellite motion during a pass;
• Commercial handsets and software-based User Equipment;
• Integration of unmodified commercial User Equipment including the required network-side adaptations and pre-compensation;
• Virtualised 5G RAN and Core network functions;
• Orchestration and computing-resource management capabilities;
• Deployment in representative cloud and on-premises environments.
Challenges
The project assesses how virtualised 5G functions perform under scenario-driven NTN channel conditions, including time-varying propagation delay, Doppler, path loss and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) variations during a representative satellite pass. Pre-compensation techniques are required to maintain synchronisation, timing and service continuity across the virtualised 5G gNB, 5G Core and cloud infrastructure, adding further complexity. Other challenges include dynamically allocating computing resources without affecting service performance, and ensuring interoperability between components from different technology domains.
A final challenge is integrating unmodified commercial User Equipment into an NTN-oriented architecture, given the limited native support of such devices for satellite-specific functions.
System Architecture
MiRAGE follows a Direct-to-Handheld architecture in which a 5G user device communicates with a LEO satellite over the NR-Uu radio interface. The satellite operates as a transparent relay, forwarding the signal through a ground station to a virtualised 5G radio access network and core network hosted on a cloud or high-performance computing infrastructure.
The demonstrator reproduces the complete end-to-end communication chain, including service traffic generation, realistic modelling of the non-terrestrial radio channel, signal transport between the ground segment and the virtualized gateway, and processing by disaggregated 5G network functions. The platform supports centralized configuration, monitoring, orchestration and elastic scaling of the deployed network components.
Plan
The project officially kicked off on 3 June 2026 and covers requirements, design, implementation, integration, testing, and verification, followed by the final technical assessment and roadmap with progress reviewed at three main milestones.
Current Status
The project officially kicked off on 3 June 2026.
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