NSF VINES Research ProjectOpen & Integrated Networks Edge Computing Non-Terrestrial Networks

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05 / DEMONSTRATIONS

Demonstrations

Six planned demonstrations from foundational architecture validation to integrated field experiments.

05 / EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION

Demonstrations & Roadmap

Six planned demonstrations progress from architectural feasibility to integrated, at-scale NTN operation.

Program timeline: M6–M36 are months from the official project start, not calendar dates. All demonstration descriptions below are planned targets, not reported outcomes.
M6Architecture
M11Emulation
M18Closed Loop
M23HIL
M30UAV Field
M36Integrated NTN
M6DEMO 01
PlannedUC1 · UC2 · UC3

Architecture & KPI Framework Validation

ASU · HybridCo-leads: ASU, DASH Tech IC & Clemson

Validate the NTN-aware O-RAN architecture, proposed interfaces and functional splits using simulation and trace-based evaluation.

System configuration & planned demonstration details

Configuration: In-lab architecture reference covering RU/DU/CU/RIC/SMO, E2/A1/F1/O1/O2 interfaces, KPI specifications and reference O-RAN tools.

Scenario: Exercise representative RTT, Doppler and mobility traces to assess cross-layer consistency, feasibility and interoperability assumptions. All project partners participate.

M11DEMO 02
PlannedUC2

NTN Emulation (Partial Stack)

ASU · HybridLead: ASU

Demonstrate NTN-aware DU/CU operation using channel emulation and virtual user equipment under satellite-like impairments.

System configuration & planned demonstration details

Configuration: In-lab partial DU/CU O-RAN stack, NTN channel emulator and virtual UEs.

Scenario: Emulate RTT of 20–40 ms and Doppler up to ±40 kHz; evaluate functional-split feasibility, baseline link adaptation and control. Participants: Clemson, DASH Tech IC, University of Michigan, UCLA and Skylark Wireless.

M18DEMO 03
PlannedUC2

Closed-Loop O-RAN Control

Clemson · VirtualLead: Clemson

Validate E2-based measurement collection and stable control actions from a Near-RT RIC with NTN-aware xApps.

System configuration & planned demonstration details

Configuration: End-to-end in-lab O-RAN stack with Near-RT RIC, xApps and virtual UEs.

Scenario: Generate traffic and KPI changes under RTT, Doppler and channel variation; send measurements to RIC over E2 and assess closed-loop control stability and KPI improvement. Participants: ASU, Skylark, DASH, Michigan and UCLA.

M23DEMO 04
PlannedUC1 · UC2

HIL Integration, Mobility & Beamforming

ASU · HybridLead: Skylark Wireless, with ASU

Integrate physical radio prototypes, adaptive beamforming, mobility control and session-preserving handover.

System configuration & planned demonstration details

Configuration: Two radio prototypes (RU-A and RU-B), DU/CU, Near-RT RIC, SDR UEs and channel emulator.

Scenario: Connect via RU-A, degrade its channel, adapt beam selection and mobility settings through RIC, hand over to RU-B and assess session continuity. Participants: DASH, Clemson, Michigan and UCLA.

M30DEMO 05
PlannedUC1 · UC3

UAV Field Demonstration & Hierarchical Edge Offloading

SRNL · HybridCo-leads: ASU & Clemson

Validate workload offloading from user equipment through a UAV-mounted aerial gNB to ground MEC resources.

System configuration & planned demonstration details

Configuration: UAV-mounted aerial gNB, ground MEC, Near-RT RIC and 5–10 UEs.

Scenario: UEs produce sensing data, the UAV performs intermediate processing and forwards demanding tasks to ground MEC for AI inference; RIC xApps influence scheduling and traffic steering. All project partners participate.

M36DEMO 06
PlannedUC1 · UC2 · UC3

Final Integrated NTN System (At Scale)

SRNL · Primarily in personCo-leads: ASU & Clemson

Demonstrate coordinated satellite, UAV and terrestrial networking with distributed edge orchestration and mixed traffic.

System configuration & planned demonstration details

Configuration: Planned integrated satellite + UAV + ground environment, Near-RT RIC, MEC and 10–20 UEs.

Scenario: Exercise heterogeneous data, telemetry and AI-inference workloads over multiple links; evaluate network control, task placement and end-to-end results under at-scale conditions. All project partners participate.