Project description
Integrated 5G-non-terrestrial networks for intelligent multi-connectivity
The evolution of 5G aims to deliver services to a wide range of industries, requiring a versatile and flexible architecture. To connect underserved areas, this ambitious deployment plan requires the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. The EU funded 5G STARDUST project aims to create a fully integrated 5G-NTN (non-terrestrial network) system with a self-adapting end-to-end connectivity model for seamless radio access. The project will design, build and demonstrate a flexible satellite system integrated with terrestrial infrastructure through a self-organised network architecture. This system will support an autonomous and intelligent multi-connectivity framework adaptable to different industry needs and enable the operation of multi-orbit constellations with transparent and regenerative space nodes, providing 5G/6G NTN services.
Objective
5G evolution is expected to deliver services to a diverse gamma of verticals and to the overall society according to a anywhere, anytime, anydevice paradigm, hence calling for a polymorphic and flexible architecture. Such an ambitious deployment plan calls for the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, especially for providing connectivity to un(der)served areas, which is the motivation of 5G-STARDUST.
5G-STARDUST’s ambition is to is to deliver a fully integrated 5G-NTN autonomous system with novel self-adapting end-to-end connectivity model for enabling ubiquitous radio access, importantly leveraging on 1) new highly flexible multi-constellation (multi-orbit) architectures integrated with 5G terrestrial segments, 2) fully 5G-compliant regenerative SatCom capabilities, 3) unified radio interfaces 4) data driven AI-based techniques for multi-connectivity and radio resource management tasks 5) 3GPP and O-RAN architecture and concepts.
To this aim 5G-STARDUST will design, develop, and demonstrate, up to TRL 5, a flexible satellite system integrated with the terrestrial infrastructure by means of self-organised network architecture. This allows for autonomous and intelligent multi-connectivity framework able to adapt to diverse vertical requirements. This innovative framework will also support the operation of multi-orbit constellations, with transparent and regenerative space nodes, to deliver 5G/6G NTN services.
5G-STARDUST positions itself in the worldwide 5G/6G ecosystem timeline development, both from the standardization and market perspective. From the global standardization perspective, 5G-STARDUST results are planned to support Non-Terrestrial Network inclusion in the 3GPP Release 19 on the basis of the results of Release 18 and to influence initiation of activities in 3GPP Release 20 and 21. From the deployment and market perspective, 5G-STARDUST lines up with the market introduction, i.e. deployment by MNOs, of the 3GPP release 16, 17 and 18.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network5G
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
51147 Koln
Germany