Lunar Access Network Supporting 5G and Beyond

We propose to research and plan development for a Radio Access Network (RAN) design for Lunar exploration based on the current 3GPP standards for 5G NR in Release 17, and capable of continuous integration of new 3GPP releases. This upgradeability will represent a significant departure from a rigid hardware approach, for instance used in planned 4G LTE demonstration, and will enable the best use of lunar network assets given their uncertain schedules, lifetimes, and ever-changing mission needs.nbsp; This approach fuses the excellent properties of NASArsquo;s work on Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms with 3GPP-based system architecture and standards. nbsp; Resulting hardware and software designs based on SDRs for the gNodeb and User Equipment (UE) will be suitable for development into a low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) long life lunar environment tolerant package for operational deployment. We will address the neartime RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and control applications, traditional non-RAN core network and the non-realtime RIC and control applications. We will collaborate with NASA to assess 5G application from todayrsquo;s plans through service initiation, growth and development to define the general requirements for distributed network control (5G core network and Open-RAN (O-RAN) RIC) and 3GPP gNodeB and UE functionality. We will then identify adaptations of O - RAN components necessary to provide 5G distributed network functions and associated hardware and software which meets the demands of lunar exploration. From this research, we will define a path forward for Phase II development of a prototype gNodeB hardware/software platform. We will also investigate sidelink architectures and capabilities for PNT that can be integrated over time through software updates. The envisioned outcome is a hardware/software package suitable to be integrated with any systems that are deployed such asnbsp;Astronaut suits, robotic explorers, fixed platforms, orbiting relays, and Gateway.