Performance Analysis of Integrated 5G-NR Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks Using System Level Simulations

As the momentum for Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) integration into Terrestrial Network (TN) accelerates, there is an urgent need for performance analysis of these integrated networks to fully grasp their potential benefits and effectively address possible challenges. This paper analyzes the performance of a hybrid 5G New Radio (5G-NR) network using large scale System Level Simulations (SLS), focusing on a scenario with integrated TN-NTN, specifically a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite with a regenerative payload and a conventional terrestrial base station. We perform this analysis utilizing realistic vehicle mobility traces in a real city setting with various network loads. These advanced SLS capabilities, not available in previous state-of-the-art analysis, provide a more accurate representation of real-world conditions. The results demonstrate that the hybrid network significantly enhances overall system performance, particularly in terms of network-level packet loss and data rate. This improvement is attributed to better service coverage, an effective TN-NTN handover mechanism, and stable resource block and bandwidth allocation for all users within the region of interest (ROI).