Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)

In 5G to Beyond 5G/6G, efforts are underway to provide networks to mountainous areas, remote areas, ocean, upper air and space, where radio waves from conventional ground-based stations cannot reach, using numerous communication satellites such as geostationary satellites (GEO: Geostationary Earth Orbit) and low-orbit satellites (LEO: Low Earth Orbit), as well as HAPS (High Altitude Platform Stations) and drones. drones, and other technologies to provide network coverage to areas such as mountainous regions, remote areas, maritime regions, airspace, and outer space where traditional terrestrial base stations cannot reach. These efforts are being implemented as business initiatives and are referred to as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). In 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Release 17 (Rel-17), specifications for the initial phase of NTN have been established, and discussions are underway to further utilize NTN for safety and disaster prevention services, among other applications, in preparation for Beyond 5G/6G. Currently, SpaceX’s “Starlink” service is leading the way globally, and in Japan, major telecommunications carriers are providing services using satellite constellations operated by SpaceX and other overseas NTN operators.
Waka Manufacturing is the only JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) certified manufacturer in the field of coaxial connectors for satellite applications. JAXA-certified connectors undergo various tests to confirm that they can withstand the harsh space environment from lift-off to satellite operation in space. Since obtaining certification in 2013, our connectors have been adopted in numerous space development projects and have accumulated a wealth of flight experience. Even in the rapidly growing private space industry, our components have gained trust based on their launch track record, and there has been an increase in cases where non-JAXA-certified components are also adopted as flight-ready parts.
We can accommodate various usage purposes, including launch-ready, ground station-ready, and evaluation/testing-ready components, so please feel free to contact us for inquiries.