Enhancing Wireless Terrestrial and Satellite-Based Communication Systems

5 years

European Research Council

Prof. Björn Ottersten, Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas

Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan (KTH): Prof. Joakim Jalden; SnT SPARC: Prof. Bhavani Shankar

Parameterized mathematical models often lack the ability to incorporate intricate interactions in complex systems. On the other hand, data-driven approaches do not need explicit mathematical models for data generation and have a wider applicability at the cost of flexibility. These approaches need labelled data, representing all the facets of the system interaction with the environment. With the aforementioned systems becoming increasingly complex with intricate interactions and operating in dynamic environments, the number of system configurations and the amount of required labelled data can be rather large. Thus, there are emerging networks of systems of critical importance whose cognition is not effectively covered by traditional approaches. AGNOSTIC uses the process of exploration through system probing and exploitation of observed data in an iterative manner drawing upon traditional model-based approaches and data-driven discriminative learning to enhance functionality, performance, and robustness through the notion of active cognition. AGNOSTIC aims to formalize the exploitation/exploration framework in dynamic environments. The project aims to provide active cognition in radar (to learn the environment and to ensure situational awareness), to apply active probing in radio access networks (to infer network behaviour towards self-configuration), and to learn and adapt to user demand for content distribution in caching networks.

3 years

FNR CORE Junior

Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Steven Kisseleff, Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Prof. Björn Ottersten, Dr. Hayder Al-Hraishawi, PhD students (Tedros Salih Abdu, Lin Chen)

University of Vigo: Prof. Carlos Mosquera; SES: Dr. Joel Grotz

Payload digitalisation in modern satellite communication systems enables sophisticated payload designs able to adapt the satellite resources to the real and varying traffic conditions. This flexibility combined with the interference management strategies open a door to advanced resource management techniques for flexible satellite systems. In FlexSAT, we envision an intelligent unit called Satellite Dynamic Resource Management (SDRM). The main goal of SDRM is to achieve a traffic and link condition based automated network resources optimization. FlexSAT will try to optimise the algorithmics behind the SDRM block. Specifically, the goal of the project is to develop novel methods of allocating the satellite resources, such that the satellite offered capacity on ground continuously matches the geographic distribution of the traffic demand and follows its variations in time.

3 years

FNR CORE

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Prof. Björn Ottersten, Dr. Thang Xuan Vu, Dr. Ilora Maity

SES: Dr. Konstantinos Liolis

During the last decade, networks have largely increased in size and complexity due to the wide adoption of mobile devices and wireless access. In parallel, the prospection of new verticals in the context of 5G (internet of things, vehicles, and drones) has necessitated the support of multiple Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with heterogeneous guarantees (latency, reliability, rate, terminal number). In an attempt to streamline the network management, both research community and industry stakeholders have been progressively adopting network virtualisation and softwarisation technologies. ASWELL aims at devising network-slicing algorithms that can efficiently and autonomously configure the large number of parameters present in a virtualised dynamic graph representing an integrated satellite-terrestrial transport network. Specifically, efficient and scalable machine-learning or deep-learning (ML/DL) solutions will be developed for autonomous network slicing in integrated satellite-terrestrial transport networks in order to provide a viable alternative to conventional human-engineered heuristic or optimisation-based algorithms.

3 years

FNR CORE

Prof. Björn Ottersten, Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Sumit Kumar, Dr. Van Dinh Nguyen, Dr. Konstantinos Ntontin, Dr. Sourabh Solanki, Dr. Mahdi Azari

SnT ARG: Prof. Holger Voos, Dr. Jose Luis Sanchez Lopez; SnT SpaceR: Prof. Dr. Miguel Angel Olivares Mendez

Low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, have enabled a plethora of personal and commercial applications including aerial photography, parcel delivery, search-and-rescue, monitoring and surveillance. Improving the operation range and safety of drones has led to advanced drone networks connected via licensed spectrum and cellular infrastructure for reliable beyond-visual-LoS communication and control. Furthermore, mobile aerial relays/BSs deployed onboard drones can establish, enhance, and recover cellular coverage in real-time. This new cellular communication and networking paradigm unlocks an unprecedented opportunity for intelligent cellular network operation. 5G-Sky will contribute to the advancement of cellular-connected drones in 5G and beyond by assessing the applicability of 5G new radio (NR) technologies towards reliable, long-range, and efficient drone communication and control; resolving key challenges for drone communication and control through novel hardware and software designs; investigating the impact of 3D mobile drones and necessary changes on 5G terrestrial communication; testing drone communication and control with practical experimentation setups.

3 years

FNR BRIDGES

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Juan Merlano Duncan, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Wallace Alves Martin, Dr. Houcine Chougrani, PhD student (Haythem Chaker)

SES

In this project, we plan to develop a comprehensive framework that enables the performance optimization of the emerging generation of SES satellites equipped with on-board processing and dynamic beamforming capabilities. Specifically, two novel digital signal processing techniques will be developed and demonstrated: dynamic beam-forming through satellite active antenna arrays and accelerated in-band signalling for the feeder links. Using these techniques, the satellite operators will be able to quickly and reliably reconfigure the satellite in order to optimize both feeder and user link performance.

2.5 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Juan Merlano Duncan, Dr. Steven Kisseleff, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez Rios, Dr. Vu Nguyen Ha, Dr. Vibhum Singh, PhD student (Liz Martinez Marrero)

SES

Precoding techniques have been demonstrated to be able to increase the throughput of Very-High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) systems. The best performance can be obtained when there is only one central entity in the network in charge of precoding all user carriers. This architecture fits particularly well within a centralised gateway concept, where all digital baseband processes are implemented in a remote server connected via high speed fibers to the distributed remote gateways responsible for the downlink and uplink of the satellite radio frequency signals. Furthermore, the aforementioned centralised architecture represents a promising solution to deal with the bandwidth requirements of the feeder link. By deploying several remote gateways, the available spectrum for the feeder link can be reused among spatially separated gateways through directive antennas. In CGD, a prototype of a centralized gateway will be designed and tested. In particular, this activity focuses on the following technical challenges: multicast scheduler optimisation, network time and frequency synchronization, feeder link Doppler pre-compensation, precoding matrix computation and implementation.

3 years

FNR CORE

Prof. Björn Ottersten, Dr. Steven Kisseleff, Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Wallace Alves Martins, Dr. Hayder Al-Hraishawi, Dr. Konstantinos Ntontin, Dr. Zaid Abdullah, Dr. Van Dinh Nguyen, PhD student (Progress Zivuku)

Volvo Bus Corporation – E-Bus Competence Center: Dr. Marcin Seredynski

The increasingly demanding objectives for beyond 5G wireless networks have spurred recent research activities on innovative hardware architectures for wireless communication systems. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) emerge as one of these promising directions. RIS are artificial planar structures with reconfigurable properties through integrated electronic circuits, which can be controlled to reflect an impinging electromagnetic wave in a manageable and efficient way, i.e. via phase shift adjustment. In addition, RIS can be easily deployed on objects (e.g., facades of buildings, walls and ceilings, etc.). The main objective of RISOTTI is to investigate the possibility of employing RIS in mobile multihop relay networks for the envisioned application of Smart Cities. For the concept of Smart Cities, we consider various relevant scenarios including the deployment of RIS on smart buildings, unmanned aerial vehicles, public transportation, etc. Given the advantages of RIS and their high potential for improving the telecommunication environment, we expect substantial improvements in network throughput and large energy savings from this application of RIS compared to traditional relaying. Many challenges associated with mobile RIS-enhanced relays need to be resolved, starting from channel modelling and estimation via multi-user precoding and resource allocation to joint active and passive beamforming for multihop relaying.

3 years

FNR CORE

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Steven Kisseleff, Dr. Flor Ortiz, Dr. Hayder Al-Hraishawi, Dr. Houcine Chougrani, PhD student (Mahdis Jalali)

GOMSPACE: Alastair Isaacs, Zhana Imbrosh

A number of private ventures envision a global network comprising a large number of NGSO satellites with the aim of providing ubiquitous broadband connectivity. This evolution opens up a plethora of opportunities for massive self-organised, reconfigurable and resilient NGSO satellite constellations, which can operate as a global network instead of a single relay. The research hypothesis of MEGALEO is that a large satellite constellation can operate semi-autonomously by deciding and executing satellite and network operation configurations in space. In this direction, the self-organisation and self-healing of the satellite constellations as well as distributed on-board implementation of optimization / machine learning algorithms can be viewed as key components for this novel concept. In particular, MEGALEO will focus on two critical use cases where distributed control of the satellites’ orbital positions and radio resources would be imperative: matching the heterogeneous traffic demand across the globe and managing the radio interference towards GSO systems in accordance to regulations.

2 years

Department of Media, Telecommunications and Digital Policy (SMC)

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Sumit Kumar, Dr. Konstantinos Ntontin, Dr. Mahdi Azari

SnT ARG: Prof. Holger Voos, Dr. Jose Luis Sanchez Lopez; SnT SpaceR: Prof. Dr. Miguel Angel Olivares Mendez, Dr. Carol Martinez Luna

One of the most important technological enablers within the 5G suite is the Active Antenna System (AAS), which allows for the dynamic creation of multiple beams along both azimuth and elevation ranges. This feature is crucial for high-throughput mobile broadband services (emBB), as it can a) accurately focus the signal towards the user terminal, b) discriminate and serve multiple terminals within a single time-frequency block. However, it is important to address the challenges for the AAS deployment, which are intra- and inter-system interference, 3D coverage mapping, and radiation limits framework. Furthermore, the regulatory framework in terms of emission limits for AAS is not yet finalized, since the current methodology is not straightforwardly extendable to systems with dynamic radiation patterns. IRANATA aims to take concrete steps towards resolving these issues through an industrial research approach which combines software simulations, lab pilots and field measurements of production-level 5G AAS and smart phones over the UniLu Kirchberg campus (pioneering zone). The measurement campaign will be facilitated by drone missions which are able to efficiently produce a 3D characterisation of the radiation pattern. The final goal is to acquire and disseminate new knowledge about AAS towards the relevant stakeholders, policy regulations (spectrum, environment), scientific community and wider public.

2 years

Department of Media, Telecommunications and Digital Policy (SMC)

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Sumit Kumar, Dr. Konstantinos Ntontin, Dr. Mahdi Azari, Dr. Sourabh Solanki

SnT ARG: Prof. Holger Voos, Dr. Jose Luis Sanchez Lopez; SnT SpaceR: Prof. Dr. Miguel Angel Olivares Mendez, Dr. Carol Martinez Luna

Drone applications have been steadily growing in the support of a number of innovative vertical applications, such as health, logistics, transportation and public safety. In order to support such applications, 5G research communities and standardisation bodies have focused along two main technological enablers, namely, Ultra Reliability Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC). In the above context, MICRO5G focuses on industrial research on URLLC and MEC with the objective of acquiring news skills and knowledge related to the deployment and support of drone services in 5G and beyond applications. URLLC will allow drone service providers to extend the flight time by reliably moving complicated processing tasks to the mobile edge. In parallel, MEC will support crowdsourcing data from multiple drones, which can be consolidated and utilized as a traffic management tool. In summary, this industrial-oriented research targets to bring a significant improvement in the existing drone systems by utilising emerging URLLC and MEC technologies to support storage/processing offloading, and dynamic geofencing and guidance scenarios.

2 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Houcine Chougrani, Dr. Thang Xuan Vu, Dr. Ilora Maity

OQTechnology: Omar Qaise, Prasanna Nagarajan; Leaf Space: Giovanni Pandolfi

Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications exhibit immense diversity in traffic volume and statistical characteristics. Numerous industries have foreseen that the world will want and need more and more interconnected devices. This also brings a heavy need for a networked infrastructure that will allow real-time and medium-high throughput of data to/from the central points (servers / hubs / cloud) and the end-devices (sensors, actuators, displays etc.). Towards agile network configuration for 5G Internet-of-Things
services, one of the most promising architectures and implementations comes from Software Defined Networking (SDN) and from Network Function Virtualisation (NFV). Network Slicing (NS) is a service-oriented construct providing “Network as a Service” to concurrent applications. Through this paradigm, the specific services can be highly customized, enabling the seamless integration of heterogeneous networks in a 5G ecosystem, such as satellite networks. ANCSAT-IoT aims to identify the technical requirements in various satellite network scenarios, for different traffics and satellite orbits, to define specific virtual network functions including satellite network slice, to demonstrate the IoT satellite network slice in a testbed, and to contribute in 5G definition of network slicing architectures.

6 years

FNR IPBG

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Prof. Björn Ottersten, Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Thang Xuan Vu, Dr. Houcine Chougrani, Dr. Hayder Al-Hraishawi, Dr. Vu Ha, Dr. Wali Ullah Khan, PhD students (Mario Minardi, Michael Dazhi, Haftay Abreha, Teweldebrhan Kebedew, Kha Hung Nguyen)

SnT SPARC: Prof. Bhavani Shankar; SnT SVV: Prof. Lionel Briand, Dr. Domenico Bianculli, Dr. Fabrizio Pastore, Dr. Seung Yeob Shin, Dr. Donghwan Shin; SES: Dr. Joel Grotz, Dr. Stefano Andrenacci, Dr. Hira Muzammil, Dr. Christos Politis

INSTRUCT is an industry-led research partnership between SES (the leader in global content connectivity solutions) and SnT, and envisions to create a fundamental shift in the existing ecosystem of 5G wireless systems towards a ubiquitous, intelligent, self – organized and secured satellite – terrestrial integrated system exploiting ground – breaking Satellite Communications technologies. The main goals of the proposed INSTRUCT project are: initiate a long-term structured research programme between SnT and SES by seamlessly integrating and valorizing SatCom systems in Beyond 5G Networks, interconnecting and expanding joint lab validation facilities available at both ends utilising the interdisciplinary expertise of two research te ams (SigCom and SVV) within SnT; to train the next generation of SatCom researchers / professionals; to intensify Knowledge Transfer between SnT and SES; to create innovation opportunities within the Luxembourgish SatCom Ecosystem; to provide significant innovations in the area of High Performance Networks and promote Luxembourg’s vision of being a global hub of space and satellite services.

1.5 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Sumit Kumar, Dr. Oltjon Kodheli

EURESCOM, Frauhunofer IIS, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Eurecom

5G-GOA develops and implements the necessary modifications in the 5G New Radio standard to enable the direct radio access of terrestrial communication networks via satellite, a 5G RAN via satellite closely following the 3GPP Work Item on Non-Terrestrial-Networks. The hardware and software development relies on and uses existing technologies, hardware and software components already available from the open source project OpenAirInterface for the prototyping of 5G terrestrial systems.

Our solution is directly based on 3GPP discussions and results and covers physical layer techniques (e.g. synchronisation) up to specific protocols and upper layer implementations (e.g., timers and random access procedure) of the radio access network, as needed. 5G-GOA focuses on geostationary satellite systems. The prototype shall consist of at least two user terminals and a gNodeB base station to verify bi-directional end-to-end communications. 5G-GOA plans to demonstrate the solution live, using the developed terminals and the modified 5G base-station connected via a direct satellite link, in addition to performing realistic tests in lab environment as well by using an advanced propagation channel emulator.

2 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Juan Carlos Merlano Duncan,  Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez Rios, Dr. Rakesh Palisetty, Dr. Wallace Martins

Thales-Alenia-Space Italy, SES

Beamforming is an emerging technology that is currently accumulating considerable interest in satellite communications. Due to the limited onboard power and available computational resources, Digital Beamforming (DBF) of a very large amount of bandwidth is not possible. However, it is expected that the next generation of On-Board Processor (OBP) will provide much higher computational resources. This evolution will allow the implementation of DBF for a much bigger system capacity and leveraging the numerous DBF advantages, such as flexibility in beam assignment, beam steering, beam shape and width, power allocation, improved linearisation, software-controlled beamforming process, interference minimisation. This activity aims to develop and demonstrate efficient digital beamforming algorithms and architectures for SATCOM payloads utilising digital processors and validate them on a representative digital processor testbed. This activity will develop low-complexity, highly efficient algorithms, processing techniques, and architectures to significantly reduce power consumption, mass, and volume and improve integration efficiency. A representative processor testbed will be developed and used to implement and test the developed algorithms and processing techniques.

2 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Juan Merlano Duncan, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez, Dr. Wallace Martins, Dr. Rakesh Palisetty, PhD student (Liz Martinez-Marrero)

SES

Satellites with their wide coverage can enable “anytime/anywhere access” at affordable costs while providing ubiquitous application and matching the ever-increasing demand. Some of the new applications are not economically viable today due to the requirements of the receiver terminals. Therefore, there is a commercial interest in small and low-cost terminals for MEO and LEO satellite systems, based on a wide-beam and low-gain antenna with a half-power beamwidth of 10 degrees or wider. Since such an antenna will see multiple, at least two, satellites at the same time, there is an opportunity to combine the signals from multiple satellites for improving the aggregated data rate, balancing the beam load or improving the robustness of the satellite link through path diversity. The objective of this activity is to develop and test a ground transceiver that combines the RF signals from two or more satellites operating in Ka-Band. In order to demonstrate the concept, two breadboard receivers shall be developed, one assumed to be located at the user terminal, fed through a wide-beam and low-gain Ka-Band antenna, and one at the gateway considering a hub-spoke network typical of broadband applications.

1 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Houcine Chougrani, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Sumit Kumar

SnT SPASYS: Dr. Jan Thoemel; SES: Prof. Mahulena Hofmann

Space-based Internet uses a satellite constellation to provide reliable, low-latency, high-speed internet connectivity. A space-based internet system uses space and ground access points to communicate directly to the satellite constellation for IP packets transmission. The ability to communicate with the satellite (either downlink or uplink) on-demand through the internet can improve several important aspects, such as: i) throughput; ii) real-time tasking; iii) timeliness of data; iv) selective downlink, v) operation cost, etc. The main objective of SAT-SPIN is to perform a feasibility study on using space-based internet systems for space missions. In particular, the study should firstly focus on identifying and analysing relevant characteristics of the current and near future space-based internet providers. Second, the project shall identify the most important space missions that can take advantage of internet (or 5G) based space services, analyse possible limitations and compare various features of a potential solution with the already existing operational communication scenarios. The spacecraft aspects shall also be covered, combining a preliminary design of the satellite’s flight segment and communication payload in the context of satellite to space-based internet provider network. Third, the relevant communication protocols to connect space mission satellites via space-based internet provider shall be analysed. Last but not least, the activity shall also focus on potential legal aspects of the RF spectrum usage and cover the next steps for the development and exploitation of any identified potential solution.

26 months

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Juan Carlos Merlano Duncan, Dr. Flor Ortiz, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez Rios

SnT SPASYS: Dr. Jan Thoemel

The SPAICE project aims to study, develop, and validate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based signal processing techniques for satellite communications in scenarios and use cases where specific AI processors can provide a significant performance improvement with respect the current state-of-the-art. The SPAICE project has as its principal outcome the AI Satellite Telecommunications Testbed (AISTT), which will be the platform to test and demonstrate the AI-accelerated scenarios. We have already identified and traded-off some prospective scenario candidates such as interference detection, interference localization, link adaptation and error correction for regenerative satellites, and the suitable ML architectures, framework and off-the-shelf chipsets. We believe that the University of Luxembourg team has the required technical knowledge gained through the participation in different AI/ML-related research projects, the experimental expertise and available facilities (CubeSat Laboratory, Satellite Channel Emulator, End-to-end Satellite Communications Testbed) to complete successfully the design and training of the ML algorithm, the implementation and validation of the AISTT, and the evaluation of its potential road-to-the-market.

9 months

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Sumit Kumar, Dr. Oltjon Kodheli, Dr. Chandan Sheemaer

Eurescom, Fraunhofer IIS, AllBeSmart

The main objective of the 5G-LEO project is to extend Openairinterface5G (OAI) software stack to support satellite systems in non-geostationary orbits. This extension will implement a full 5G protocol stack (Release ≥16) for both the UE and the gNB. The main outcome of this activity will be a publicly available new version of the open source OAI software library with new features to simulate and to test 5G LEO satellite communication links. The 5G-LEO project will speed up the development of OAI as a simulation tool that will allow the exchange and comparison of 5G NTN results by the SatCom community, facilitating the collaboration in R&D activities. It will be an important tool to develop early prototypes for validating key 5G NTN design aspects and providing prompt feedback to the 3GPP standardisation process.

3 years

FNR CORE

Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Flor Ortiz

SES: Dr. Joel Grotz

The satellite world is progressing towards having all the ingredients making artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) suitable for satellite related use-cases. In fact, AI can be very beneficial for satellite communication systems for a variety of reasons. Next generation of satellite communications (either GSO or NGSO) are being built with the capability to quickly and flexibly assign radio resources according to the system load and the changing environment. However, computing the optimal solution is very challenging, leading to unaffordable computational times. Furthermore, satellite transmitter and receiver designs typically are achieved under the assumption of accurate analytical channel modeling. However, in interference-limited satellite scenarios, the imperfection of the channel knowledge due to errors in the estimation process and/or delays in the feedback channel, leads to a serious performance degradation. Furthermore, the overall channel estimation is a tedious procedure consuming a generous part of the system resources. Moreover, embracing cloud-based architectures, satellite operators look forward to managing and coordinating the different parts of the network in a centralised mode. The benefit for operators is the availability of very large data sets from their networks and the possibility to apply a range of data processing, geospatial, AI and other tools to manipulate and analyse such data, with the main goal to optimise the system operation. SmartSpace will jump into the AI bandwagon and investigate what AI can bring to satellite communications.

1.5 years

ESA

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Houcine Chougrani,  Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez Rios, Dr. Rakesh Palisetty, Dr. Wallace Martins

Interest in the moon has grown in recent years. Several countries (e.g. USA, Russia, Europe, etc), as well as private companies (e.g. SpaceX), have future plans for lunar missions. These missions are diversified and can cover a wide range of scenarios such as pinpoint landing, roving, lunar resource prospection, lunar tourism, etc. In this context, the main objective of PROSPECT is to design and demonstrate an efficient communication system for lunar missions connectivity based on existing terrestrial technologies. In particular, the project focuses on the Proximity Link type of communications, and in particular, to its relevant scenarios and architectures. Besides, Surface to Surface type of communications is also partially considered when addressing long-range communications between nodes.

5 years

European Union – Next Generation EU, Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy (SMC)

Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Juan Carlos Merlano Duncan, Dr. Steven Kisseleff, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez Rios, Dr. Thang Xuan Vu, Dr. Wallace Martins, Dr. Zaid Abdullah, Dr. Hayder Al-Hraishawi

The LUQCIA project is a 5-year initiative to build a national testbed for Quantum Communication Infrastructure (QCI) and enable advanced collaborative research in this domain. The motivation is to make Luxembourg competitive at a European and international level and foster an active research ecosystem by pooling resources from public and private stakeholders. The immediate target would be Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) applications, which can potentially create an impact in the short term. Nevertheless, the testbed infrastructure will be designed with an open mindset to support more nascent areas, such as Quantum Information Networks. The preliminary design of the testbed foresees two nodes at the University of Luxembourg grounds (Kirchberg and Belval), which can be federated with similar national initiatives by private companies (e.g., SES) to create more complicated topologies and pave the way to QKD through satellite systems. LUQCIA will implement two types of interconnection among the nodes, first using leased optical fibre, and in parallel, free space optics. Once the initial setup is concluded, LUQCIA will constitute an enabler for innovative research across all layers of quantum communication networks, namely software, cryptography, networking, signal processing and optics. The infrastructure will be accessible to other public and private stakeholders as a lab facility or in the form of collaborative research with SnT. The ambition is that the supported research activities will generate funding to maintain and expand the capabilities of LUQCIA beyond the original 5-year plan. In terms of economic impact, the project aims to create a pole of attraction of private stakeholders targeting use cases in FinTech, Cybersecurity and Space. Finally, from the societal point-of-view, the practical deployment of quantum communications with a long-term horizon will guarantee the data security of our communication networks and potentially make the vision of Quantum Internet accessible to all citizens. 

2 years

ESA

Dr. Eva Lagunas, Dr. Flor Ortiz, Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Wallace Martins, Dr. Thinh Dinh

SnT SPASYS: Dr. Jan Thoemel; King’s College London (KCL): Prof. Osvaldo Simeone, Dr. Bipin Rajendran

Mimicking the way a human brain communicates, bioinspired electronics based on non-volatile memory devices have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional computing technologies based on transistors. While conventional processors operate on a batch mode, i.e. batching up large number of samples before processing them, the new neuromorphic processors (NPs) can process data samples as quickly as possible. While conventional computers are still preferred for specific applications, NPs are ideally suited for tasks that human-brain can solve easily, such as recognition and reasoning. The technology is quickly gaining momentum and large corporations, such as Intel and IBM, are participating in research projects related to this promising technology. NPs represent a major opportunity to unlock the potential benefits of AI and ML solutions for satellite communications (SatCom) systems thanks to their energy efficiency and capability of continual, on-board, adaptation. Neurosat aims to identify the potential benefits of using NPs implementing spiking neural networks (SNN) for SatCom applications. The study’s primary outcomes will be to inform the community of the capabilities and feasibility of implementing neuromorphic processors in SatCom systems and to define the technological developments needed to make them a reality. The proposed activity will take the form of an investigation into the implementation of NP architectures in SatCom systems, their applications, a prototypical implementation using Intel’s Loihi NP, as well as a path ahead for research and implementation of neuromorphic computing for SatCom.

3 years

FNR CORE

Dr. Juan Merlano Duncan, Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, Dr. Jorge Luis Gonzalez, Dr. Vu Nguyen Ha, Dr. Wallace Martins, Dr. Steven Kisseleff, Dr. Jorge Querol, Dr. Hayder Al-Hraishawi, Dr. Zaid Abdullah, Dr. Vaibhav Gupta, PhD student (Liz Martinez Marrero)

SES

Satellite communications are expected to play a fundamental role in beyond 5G and 6G networks. In particular, satellites will also be instrumental to upgrade the performance of limited terrestrial networks cost-effectively, reinforcing the 5G service reliability, and enable 5G network scalability by providing data delivery towards the network edges or even user terminals. The trend in 5G mobile communications goes towards distributed and decentralized architectures, the use of small cells, and even the implementation of cell-free topologies where a large number of small antennas distributed over a wide area serve a set of mobile users. This trend might seem in contradiction with the idea of using the spaceborne links to provide connectivity to the terrestrial networks since satellite reception usually requires large and very directive antennas (parabolic reflectors). The complications might be worsened for satellites flying in non-geostationary orbits, in which case the antenna needs to be steered to point to the moving satellite, increasing significative the cost of the system. To solve these challenges, we propose the use of collaborative beamforming among the set of distributed terrestrial antennas to be used in the reception of the satellite signals as well as in the terrestrial signals. The objective of ARMMONY is to identify and analyse the technical challenges associated with these new architectures, such as network synchronization and the requirement of a low-latency, high-rate fronthaul owing to using distributed signal processing. And subsequently, perform prototyping and experimentation/demonstration of the concept in a laboratory environment.