From interoperability to full integration: the ITA NTN project vision

This paper describes the integration of Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks, where space network entities cooperate with conventional and emerging terrestrial communication architectures to provide ubiquitous, resilient, and three-dimensional wireless connectivity around the world, supporting heterogeneous services (e.g., improving better coverage, user experience, system capacity, service reliability, and availability, as well as offering high-speed connectivity in remote sites or in disaster-affected areas). The view of all the possible architectures, considering the role both as backhauling and access for each layer of NTN systems and devices, is illustrated according to the studies of the Integrated Terrestrial And Non-Terrestrial Networks (ITA NTN) project, in the framework of the PNRR Research Program.