Imagine your phone switching between a cell tower and a satellite as easily as it switches between Wi-Fi and mobile data. This work creates a smart system where satellites act like flying cell towers that talk directly to your devices. It uses AI to manage the connection so you stay online even in the middle of the ocean or a desert.
Current 5G networks rely on ground towers, leaving massive coverage gaps in rural, maritime, and aerial zones. This prevents a truly 'anywhere, anytime' connectivity experience for global users.
A proof-of-concept for a regenerative satellite payload and a self-organizing network architecture that integrates space and ground 5G segments.
If you are an MNO dealing with coverage gaps in rural areas — this project developed a way to integrate satellites into the 5G ecosystem that ensures users have a signal anywhere. This allows you to expand your service reach without building thousands of new physical towers.
If you are a shipping company dealing with intermittent connectivity at sea — this project developed a multi-orbit satellite system that provides a stable 5G connection. This ensures real-time tracking and communication for fleets in underserved areas.
If you are an agency dealing with network collapses during natural disasters — this project developed a self-organizing network that can quickly deploy satellite-based 5G access. This keeps critical communication lines open when ground infrastructure is destroyed.
Based on available project data, no specific pricing or cost structures are provided as the project focuses on technical feasibility and proof-of-concept.
The project aims for a TRL 4 or 5, meaning it is moving from a laboratory environment to a validated proof-of-concept, but it is not yet at full industrial scale.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, though the project aims to influence 3GPP standardization for Releases 19, 20, and 21.
The project runs from 2023-01-01 to 2026-03-31, aligning with the market introduction of 3GPP releases 16, 17, and 18.
It uses O-RAN architecture and 3GPP standards to ensure the satellite segment can work together with existing terrestrial 5G infrastructure.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 64% ratio, comprising 7 industrial partners and 2 SMEs across 7 countries. This strong commercial presence, led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), suggests the research is closely aligned with market needs rather than purely academic curiosity.
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