ETL and NXGSAT demonstrate interoperable end-to-end 5G NTN solution powered by DIFI

NXGSAT, in partnership with ETL Systems, has successfully demonstrated an interoperable, fully productised 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solution, combining NXGSAT’s software-defined 5G NTN user equipment (UE) modem with ETL’s GENUS Digital platform, integrated through the Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) standard.

This joint showcase highlights how open, virtualised and modular satellite communication architectures can be realised in practice, using standardised digital interfaces to simplify integration and accelerate deployment of 5G NTN networks.

This demonstrates that standards-based, multi-vendor 5G NTN architectures are not just theoretical, but achievable today using commercially available technology.

At the core of this demonstration is DIFI, an open interoperability standard designed to enable the exchange of digital intermediate frequency (IF) signals across vendors and system domains.  

DIFI provides a standardised interface between software-defined modem functions in the digital domain and high-performance RF front-end systems in the analogue domain.

By adopting DIFI within the ETL digitiser and NXGSAT 5G NTN software modem products, both available to customers today, ETL and NXGSAT achieve true modular interoperability and performance to enable deployment of 5G-based satellite communications.

Simon Swift, Engineering Director of Digital Technologies at ETL, commented: “Achieving this end-to-end digitised solution for 5G NTN is a significant step forward, not just for us and our partners, but for the wider industry. It shows how open standards like DIFI can move interoperability from concept into real-world deployment. We are proud to be playing such an active role in pioneering this kind of technology for a more connected future.”

Alain Rollé, CEO of NXGSAT, added: “The integration between our satcom optimised 5GNR NTN software UE modem and ETL’s GENUS Digitisers through DIFI, enables customers to deploy interoperable, resilient and secure satcom services across networks and orbits.”