Keysight to Demonstrate NR-NTN LEO Mobility Testing at MWC 2026 in Collaboration with Samsung in Preparation for Satellite-to-Mobile Deployments

Rhea-AI Impact

(Moderate)

Rhea-AI Sentiment

(Neutral)

Key Terms

low earth orbit (leo) technical

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is the region of space close to Earth, roughly up to 2,000 kilometers above the surface, where most communication, imaging and weather satellites operate. It matters to investors because it is a fast-growing commercial zone — think of it as a crowded highway for satellites — creating opportunities in satellite manufacturing, launch services, broadband and data analytics while also bringing risks from congestion, debris, regulatory licensing and intense competition.

multiple-input, multiple-output (mimo) technical

A multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) system uses multiple transmitters and receivers to send and receive data at the same time, boosting wireless capacity and reliability. Think of it like adding more lanes and traffic lights to a road so more cars can travel faster and with fewer jams; for investors, MIMO technology can raise the value of network equipment, chips, and devices by enabling faster speeds, better coverage, and new services that drive demand and revenue.

02/26/2026 - 11:00 AM

End-to-end NR-NTN validation addresses mobility, handover, and alignment with Starlink's deployment timeline

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) will demonstrate lab-based validation of new radio non-terrestrial networks (NR-NTN) devices at Mobile World Congress 2026 in collaboration with Samsung Electronics' System LSI Business. The demonstration will showcase testing capabilities aligned with planned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite deployments, including Starlink Direct to Cell.

As satellite connectivity becomes integral to 5G evolution and future 6G networks, chipset and device vendors must validate NR-NTN performance well in advance of large-scale deployment. Satellite systems in LEO introduce new challenges, including rapid motion, frequent handovers, dynamic link conditions, and stringent positioning requirements. Without access to live satellite networks during early development, organizations need accurate laboratory-based methods to assess mobility, service continuity, and throughput performance under realistic operating conditions in a laboratory.

Keysight’s NTN Network Emulator Solutions recreate LEO satellite characteristics in a controlled laboratory environment. The MWC demonstration integrates Keysight’s 5G Network Emulator with a Samsung NR-NTN modem to validate satellite and device mobility, service continuity, and higher-throughput Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) configurations under parameters aligned with Starlink deployment scenarios.

The demonstration also showcases Keysight’s positioning emulation capabilities, enhanced through its recent Spirent acquisition. PNT Xe enables accurate global navigation satellite system-based positioning as part of an end-to-end validation workflow.

Jungwon Lee, Executive Vice President of System LSI Modem Development Team at Samsung Electronics, said: “NR-NTN introduces new technical challenges for modem design, particularly around mobility, handover, and link adaptation in LEO environments. This demonstration with Keysight allows us to validate NR-NTN modem performance under representative satellite conditions, helping ensure readiness for future satellite-based 5G services.”

Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager, Keysight’s Wireless Test Group, said: “Direct-to-device satellite connectivity is moving from concept to deployment, making early end-to-end NR-NTN validation essential. Our lab-based, live-application testing gives the ecosystem a repeatable way to prove interoperability and performance, cutting risk and time-to-market while keeping users connected beyond terrestrial coverage.”

Resources:

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.