ALIX


ALIX satellite simulation on laptop

Simulator for 5G Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks

ALIX is a 5G TN/NTN system-level simulator that is used for detailed protocol level simulations for 5G Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks.

Operating on a packet level resolution, ALIX makes it possible to evaluate communication technology performance, keep up with 3GPP 5G TN/NTN standardization efforts, and explore future technologies such as 5G-Advanced and 6G NTN. 

Keep up with 5G TN/NTN standardization

Ensure compatibility with the latest 3GPP developments related to 5G, 5G-Advanced, and 6G TN & NTN.

Evaluate communication technology performance

For example: performance differences between DVB-S2X and 5G NR.

Explore and develop new technology

Optimize, refine, and develop your future network systems.


5G Simulator for Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks

USE CASES

  • Supporting 3GPP 5G NTN standardization activities

    The 3GPP’s standardization of 5G NTN and beyond enables the production of high quality systems, products and services.

  • Gaining insight into technology performance and differences

    • DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS
    • 5G NR-NTN
    • HARQ details
  • Simulating satellite constellation subsets

    Focused simulations of satellite constellation subsets: magnified view.

  • Reducing technology development costs

    Verify system functionality before investing in devices.

Satellite beam simulation
Satellite beam simulation

How ALIX has supported key technology evaluations in our projects



System Simulator for 5G Network Evaluations

Magister has developed the ALIX simulator through projects with the European Space Agency and the European Union, and our internal development work.

These projects include, for example, ALIX, SAIRCC, HELENA, and DYNASAT (EU Horizon).

Conference articles on ALIX:

Co-existence of Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks on Adjacent Frequency Bands/ Lauri Sormunen, Henrik Martikainen, Jani Puttonen, Dorin Panaitopol, The 11th Advanced Satellite Multimedia Conference and the 17th Signal Processing for Space Communications Workshop (ASMS/SPSC), 6–8 September 2022.

This paper presents the latest achievements concerning 3GPP Release-17 adjacent band coexistence simulation work on 5G new radio non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) for satellite communications.

The main conclusions can be summarized as follows: (1) NTN UE can reuse the current requirements of the TN UE, (2) the satellite connectivity does not require a dedicated satellite waveform, and (3) TN can co-exist with NTN on adjacent channels with relaxed ACIR requirements for the tested simulation scenario.

A System Simulator for 5G Non-Terrestrial Network Evaluations / Jani Puttonen, Lauri Sormunen, Henrik Martikainen, Sami Rantanen, Janne Kurjenniemi, IEEE International Symposium on a World of Wireless, Mobile and Multimedia Networks (WoWMoM), Non-Terrestrial Networks in 6G Wireless workshop, June 7-11, 2021.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is working on the specifications related to the 5G satellite component, i.e., 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). 5G NTN specifications can be used to build different spaceborne or airborne 5G systems.

This article presents a 5G NTN extension to an open-source Network Simulator 3 (ns-3) and its 5G extension (5G LENA). The objective is to use the resulting System Level Simulator (SLS) in 3GPP standardization to evaluate different system concepts and parameterizations.

Multi-Connectivity in 5G and Beyond Non-Terrestrial Networks / Mikko Majamaa, Henrik Martikainen, Lauri Sormunen, and Jani Puttonen, Journal of Communications Software and Systems, 2022.

The Fifth Generation (5G) communications systems aim to serve such service classes as Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC).

To meet the growing requirements posed to mobile networks, satellites can be used to complement the Terrestrial Networks (TNs). To increase the efficiency of the satellite communications involved, bandwidth-efficient techniques should be used. Multi-Connectivity (MC) is one such technique. In MC, a User Equipment (UE), for example, a smartphone, can be connected to multiple Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs) simultaneously.

In this paper, an adaptive MC activation scheme for throughput enhancement in 5G and beyond Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) is presented. The algorithm is evaluated by system simulations using different traffic split algorithms, namely, even split, data request per connection and per gNB algorithms. In the considered simulation scenario, the maximum throughput enhancement of 9.1%, compared to when MC is turned off, is experienced when using the adaptive Secondary Node (SN) addition algorithm with the combination of the data request algorithms.


NTN & TN Simulator based on 3GPP specifications

FEATURES

Based on 3GPP Specifications

For example:

  • TR 38.811 in terms of NTN channel modeling
  • TR 38.821 in terms of NTN simulation scenario and parameterization.

Focus on Non-Terrestrial Networks

Also supports:

  • TN channel models
  • TN + NTN scenarios

Higher Layers

  • Core network simplified
  • UDP, TCP, traffic generators (applications)

Focus on RAN Features (PHY, MAC, RLC)

  • 3GPP defined TN & NTN channel models
  • L2S (link-to-system) mapping for modeling the PHY/receiver performance
  • Power control, HARQ, ACM, scheduling, RLC UM/AM
  • Handovers
  • PDCP Multi-Connectivity

Focus on User Plane

Rather than control plane

All System Level Calibration Scenarios Defined by TR 38.821

  • LEO-600, LEO-1200, GEO
  • Handheld terminals, VSAT terminals
  • Frequency reuse factors: 1, 3, 2+2
  • Frequency bands: S-band, Ka-band

Or custom altitude, frequency, and terminal configuration.

Explore the networks of tomorrow with ALIX – in 5G and beyond


Validate your technology choices with simulations for terrestrial and non-terrestrial network scenarios. Reach out to our team of simulation experts.


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