Magister facilitated Forsway’s comprehensive comparison of DVB/NR technologies

Forsway is a Swedish company with a cost-effective approach to extending broadband services to regions with limited capacity. Magister’s simulation project helped Forsway better understand the differences between DVB and NR technologies.

During the spring of 2023, Magister Solutions executed a DVB/NR technology comparison project for Forsway. The objective was to compare the DVB-S2X/RCS2 and 5G NR-NTN technologies with each other in a geostationary satellite scenario.

“We are currently studying the feasibility of using 5G technology for satellite communication. We received a recommendation from the European Space Agency (ESA) to use Magister’s help for simulating 5G NR over satellite,” said Edvin Lindqvist, the CTO of Forsway.

“Initial contacts clearly showed Magister’s understanding of what we needed and their capabilities to perform the simulations we need,” Lindqvist added.

Magister helps future-oriented companies make impartial comparisons of communication technologies

In the joint project, we compared the technologies using three means. We executed the comparison theoretically, with simple link level evaluations, and with capacity level system simulations. We utilized Magister’s C-DReAM simulator in the project.

The project explored the same theme as the ESA-funded MARINA project, which was kicked off in June 2023. It’s a highly topical discussion, as organizations contemplate which technology to invest in: what are the differences between DVB-S2X/RCS2 and 5G NR technologies? Is 5G NR ready to replace DVB?

When considering future solutions, it can be beneficial for SatCom companies to leverage Magister’s expertise within simulations and SatCom technologies.

“Magister has the critical competence in simulations and technologies to help future-oriented companies like Forsway in the SatCom industry make impartial comparisons”, said Jani Puttonen, the former CEO of Magister Solutions.

“Our unique simulation tools help solve the concrete problems of companies.”

A deeper understanding of how 5G NR compared to DVB for SatCom

For Forsway, the joint project provided answers to the questions they were addressing.

“The simulation project with Magister helped us better understand how 5G NR would work in an NTN context.”

“The simulation project with Magister helped us better understand how 5G NR would work in an NTN context. The main takeaway is a more complete understanding of how 5G NR compares to traditional DVB technologies for SatCom. A surprising result was also just how much the efficiency of the return channel differs between the two technologies”, explained Lindqvist.

The comparison of these technologies continued in ESA’s MARINA project. Companies interested in the subject can follow it through ETSI SES-SCN standardization.

Magister Solutions is a Finnish company that specializes in communication network simulation tools and services for modelling real-world communication systems (satellite and terrestrial) in detail.

By simulating communication networks, Magister creates undetected knowledge that fosters mobile, satellite, and emerging industry development – enabling a more secure, faster way to create digital communication beyond boundaries.