Connectivity Solutions for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)

Networks that achieve comprehensive coverage, such as electrical grids, telephones and the Internet, typically usher in an era of monumental changes, including the introduction of many innovations that build on top of the infrastructure. 

Today, communications networks are becoming increasingly important to automobiles. From predictive safety systems to immersive in-car experiences, connected vehicles are enabling advancements in capabilities. These technologies will likely grow as the boundaries of the network expand.

Up to this point, the vision of the connected vehicle has only been partially realized, since vehicles can lose their connections the moment they leave dense urban coverage. Gaps in terrestrial networks (TN) introduce safety risks and service disruptions in existing vehicles, and they also hold back network-based features from reaching their full potential.

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are emerging as the missing piece, extending Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications into remote regions via satellites, high-altitude platforms and other space-based infrastructure. This resilient coverage layer is essential for realizing the full value of next-generation vehicle features. 

Multi-modal integration is key to unlocking the next phase of mobility. NTNs are poised to support a range of developments: improving road safety, enabling predictive traffic flow, enhancing the user experience and powering new business models. 

A new era has arrived, one where NTN technology can be incorporated into every vehicle. OEMs that do not account for this shift risk falling behind.

While new models may not roll off the lot subscribed to satellite and other NTN links, the hardware infrastructure will likely still be integrated into the design. For electrical and systems engineers, adding antennas, interfaces and integration for NTN technology will soon become standard practice across all vehicle types.

These platforms must support the seamless transition between terrestrial and satellite networks while fitting into existing design constraints and emerging regulatory standards. The bi-directional data flow between the networks and the various systems and components within the vehicle requires reliable, high-speed infrastructure. Safety functions such as advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features, for example, rely on these transmissions for continuous sensor fusion and accurate navigation.

Key engineering considerations include:

• Antenna and transceiver placement and packaging 
• Frequency planning and coexistence with other wireless systems
• Compatibility with global regulatory frameworks
• Resilience to thermal cycling, vibration and electromagnetic interference (EMI)

In the long term, adopting NTN connectivity allows OEMs to future-proof their architectures and differentiate their offerings in a market increasingly defined by software, digital services and connectivity performance.

Accessing high-altitude data sources improves existing features such as ADAS and supports the development of automotive technologies currently in the pipeline. The prospect of global NTN coverage for fully connected vehicles unlocks ground-breaking potential for future innovation. 

These innovations in modern mobility are seen in these five trends:

Seamless Coverage and Continuity
NTNs ensure that critical vehicle functions such as navigation, V2X and fleet management remain online even when cellular networks drop out. Satellite coverage is especially critical in cross-border travel and remote geographies where terrestrial coverage can be unreliable or unavailable.

Support for Emergency and Safety Features
Crash detection, eCall and remote diagnostics require resilient communication paths. NTNs provide an alternate channel for life-critical data transmission when traditional networks fail.

Enabling Over-The-Air (OTA) and Remote Operations
Firmware updates, feature downloads and teleoperation services depend on high-reliability connectivity. NTNs provide a redundant and persistent link, even in transit or off-grid.

Consistent UX Across Regions
End users need and expect streaming, navigation and remote support to work regardless of geography. NTNs help OEMs deliver a consistent in-cabin brand experience and digital parity worldwide.

Unlocking New Revenue Models 
Software-defined vehicles depend on uninterrupted connectivity to enable usage-based billing, on-demand services and feature activations. NTN coverage extends these opportunities to every market.

The industry is now poised to move forward with vehicle designs integrating both terrestrial and non-terrestrial data sources because the major technical hurdles of integration have been overcome. Still, solutions and standards continue to evolve. Some examples of important technologies that support automotive connectivity include: 

NTN-IoT and NTN-NR 
NTN-IoT is suited for low-data-rate applications like alerts, diagnostics or vehicle telemetry. It uses energy-efficient bands and supports broad coverage. NTN-NR, or 5G New Radio, is ideal for high-throughput use cases like V2X, infotainment and advanced ADAS. It operates in more data-rich channels to support robust communications.

Beamforming and Beam Steering 
Phased array antennas with dynamic beam steering are critical to maintaining link stability under motion. These features reduce interference, maximize signal integrity and are essential to enabling mmWave (FR2) NTN implementations.

5G Integration: mmWave in the NTN Context 
mmWave bands deliver ultra-fast data for high-value use cases but require clear line-of-sight and tightly integrated beam-steering systems. Their integration with NTNs enables rich infotainment and edge-cloud coordination at scale.

Integrating non-terrestrial networks into vehicles presents a new class of design complexity, combining challenges in hardware, firmware and system architecture. The work includes the development of seamless dual-mode operation between terrestrial and satellite networks. This includes the optimization of signal routing, power efficiency and thermal dissipation within compact, densely populated platforms.

Antenna placement is especially critical in this context. Ideal mounting areas, such as vehicle rooftops, are increasingly claimed by radar, LiDAR and other sensor systems, while also being subject to design constraints driven by aerodynamics and styling. Engineers must find customized solutions that balance signal clarity with exterior aesthetics and functionality.

Regulatory compliance adds another layer of complexity. Spectrum usage for TNs and NTNs varies significantly across global markets, with evolving standards and band allocations driven by such organizations as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) i and outcomes from the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) ii. Designs must anticipate these shifts to remain viable across regions.

Finally, maintaining signal integrity in crowded RF environments requires proactive EMI management. Because shared-spectrum operations can increase the risk of interference, it is essential to implement shielding, filtering and antenna isolation when designing for safety-critical and high-bandwidth applications.