Product Name: Ceva PentaG-NTN

Manufacturer: Ceva, Inc.

Product Category: Communications & Networks

Supporting Documentation (if available)

Ceva PentaG-NTN is a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) modem IP subsystem designed to enable satellite OEMs and system developers to participate in the next phase of connectivity: the integration of satellite networks into the global mobile ecosystem.

The satellite industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Historically, satellite communications operated as a parallel infrastructure, built on proprietary technologies and specialized devices. That model is rapidly evolving. With the standardization of 5G NTN by 3GPP, satellite networks are becoming an extension of the global cellular infrastructure, enabling direct-to-device (D2D) and direct-to-cell (D2C) connectivity using standard mobile devices.

This shift is not incremental. It is structural. As highlighted across industry initiatives, including GSMA-led efforts, the future of connectivity lies in the seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. For satellite OEMs, this creates both a significant opportunity and a major challenge. They must now build systems that comply with cellular standards, interoperate with mobile networks, and deliver performance comparable to terrestrial infrastructure, all within the constraints of satellite environments.

PentaG-NTN is designed specifically to address this inflection point.

This transition also reflects a broader convergence of two engineering domains that have historically evolved separately. Ceva’s technologies are already widely deployed across the cellular ecosystem, spanning both 5G infrastructure and endpoint devices. In the network, Ceva-powered baseband processing platforms are used by leading equipment providers, while at the device level, Ceva technologies are embedded in a wide range of cellular IoT endpoints. This dual presence across both infrastructure and devices provides a system-level perspective on how cellular networks are designed, optimized, and scaled.

Extending this expertise into non-terrestrial networks is a natural progression. As satellite systems adopt 3GPP standards, they begin to mirror the architectural principles of terrestrial cellular networks. With PentaG-NTN addressing satellite user terminals and PentaG-RAN targeting infrastructure, Ceva is able to support this evolution across the full network stack.

Rather than requiring OEMs to develop cellular modem technology from the ground up, a process that typically involves years of development and deep domain expertise, PentaG-NTN provides a production-ready, licensable modem subsystem that can be integrated directly into satellite user terminals and infrastructure SoCs.

This approach fundamentally changes the development model.

For satellite OEMs and emerging constellation operators, time to market is critical. The competitive landscape is rapidly evolving, with new entrants and vertically integrated players racing to deploy direct-to-device services. PentaG-NTN accelerates development timelines by providing a validated, pre-integrated modem platform, allowing teams to focus their resources on system-level differentiation, service innovation, and network deployment.

At the same time, it reduces technical risk. Cellular modem development is one of the most complex challenges in wireless engineering and represents decades of accumulated expertise. As satellite systems adopt 3GPP standards, that complexity is no longer optional. It becomes a core requirement. PentaG-NTN abstracts this complexity into a proven platform, lowering the barrier to entry for satellite OEMs seeking to participate in the NTN ecosystem.

Equally important is flexibility.

The satellite market is still evolving, with standards advancing toward 5G Advanced and early 6G concepts already incorporating deeper satellite integration. OEMs need solutions that can adapt over multi-year deployment cycles without requiring costly hardware redesigns. PentaG-NTN’s architecture combines dedicated hardware acceleration with programmable DSP resources, enabling both high performance and the ability to evolve through software updates. This is particularly critical in satellite deployments, where systems must remain operational for many years.

From a system perspective, PentaG-NTN enables satellite devices to behave as true participants in the cellular network. It supports 3GPP Release 18 NTN specifications, including mechanisms to address Doppler dynamics, extended propagation delays, and mobility across rapidly changing satellite constellations. This ensures compatibility with existing mobile infrastructure while enabling reliable operation in non-terrestrial environments.

The platform also provides scalability across a wide range of use cases. It supports both FR1 and FR2 frequency bands and a broad range of bandwidth configurations, allowing OEMs to target applications ranging from low-power IoT connectivity to high-throughput broadband services. This versatility is critical as satellite operators diversify their service offerings across consumer, enterprise, and government markets.

Power efficiency and integration are also key considerations for OEMs. PentaG-NTN is designed to optimize performance within the power and thermal constraints of satellite terminals, enabling practical and cost-effective device implementations. Its subsystem-level integration further simplifies SoC design, reduces development effort, and accelerates productization.

Ultimately, the value of PentaG-NTN lies in enabling satellite OEMs to align with the direction of the industry.

As terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks converge, the definition of a satellite system is changing. Satellites are no longer standalone communication platforms. They are becoming part of a unified global network architecture. This transition requires a new generation of modem technology that combines cellular-grade capability with satellite-specific adaptation.

PentaG-NTN provides that bridge.

By delivering a standards-compliant, flexible, and production-ready modem subsystem, it enables OEMs to move faster, reduce development risk, and participate in the rapidly emerging market for direct-to-device and NTN-based services.

In doing so, Ceva is uniquely positioned at the intersection of terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity, bridging two historically separate ecosystems and enabling a unified communications architecture that extends seamless cellular connectivity from the ground to space.