Project description
On the road to global connectivity and security
In an increasingly interconnected world, reliable communication is imperative, particularly for defence, security and emergency response. However, existing satellite communication systems often lack interoperability and robustness, posing challenges for seamless coordination across diverse networks. Recognising this issue, the EU has initiated the GOVSATCOM programme to address the need for enhanced satellite capabilities. In this context, the EU-funded SIGMA project offers an integrated solution for seamless connectivity across diverse satellite systems and to/from 5G terrestrial networks. Through common traffic management capabilities and advanced encryption, it ensures end-to-end security and interoperability. Real-world demonstrations in three EU Member States, tailored to emergency response scenarios, highlight its practical application. Spearheaded by a multinational consortium, SIGMA designs technical solutions and prioritises dissemination and market readiness.
Objective
In the recent years, Satellite Communication gained significant momentum in ensuring global connectivity and reliable communication for defence, security, humanitarian and emergency response. The EU GOVSATCOM initiative paves the way towards a new SatCom solution for a broad range of EU and national entities. To improve the GOVSATCOM capabilities and provide end to end security and interoperability between SatCom services and with the terrestrial communications networks, the SIGMA project proposes the development and demonstration of a technical solution incorporating pooled and shared capacities from different satellite systems. The proposed SIGMA technical solution aims to integrate SatCom-On-The-Move operating in X-band, military Ka-band and civil Ka-band with 5G user equipment to the terrestrial networks. The integration and routing of the traffic will be managed by a Traffic Management software and a Software-Defined Wide Area Network Router. End-to-end security is provided by an encryption module that incorporates Advanced Encryption Standard algorithm.
Demonstrations of the new solution in a real user environment will be conducted in 3 use cases specified by national agencies (end users) in 3 different EU countries. Specifically:
- In Luxembourg with Corps Grand-Ducal d'Incendie: simulating emergency response to flooding situation.
- In Germany: with University of Bundeswehr Munich and the German Armed Forces: responding to Search & Rescue operations in isolated areas.
- In France: with Service Départamental d’Incendie et de Secours: responding to a terrestrial network outage during a cultural/sporting event.
The consortium, which includes 5 companies and a research centre from 4 different countries, will also allocate considerable effort into the dissemination, exploitation and communication activities to pave the way for taking the results of SIGMA to the market in the shorter possible term.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28906 Getafe
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.