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ETHER – sElf-evolving terrestrial/non-Terrestrial Hybrid nEtwoRks

Project description

Energy-efficient, integrated terrestrial-non-terrestrial networks

The term non-terrestrial networks includes any network that involves non-terrestrial flying objects. Integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can connect the unconnected and increase the user experience for the already connected. The EU-funded ETHER project will provide a comprehensive approach for integrated terrestrial-non-terrestrial networks targeting 100 % network coverage, 99.99999 % service continuity and 99.99999 % reliability, with three times higher energy efficiency and 95 % total cost of ownership reduction compared to existing terrestrial deployments. The project will develop solutions for a unified radio access network and energy-efficient, AI-enabled resource management across the terrestrial, aerial and space domains. ETHER will introduce and combine critical technologies under a unique 3D multi-layered architectural proposition.

Objective

ETHER aims to provide a holistic approach for integrated terrestrial-non-terrestrial networks targeting at 100% network coverage, 99.99999% service continuity and 99.99999% reliability, with 3 times higher energy efficiency and 95% Total Cost of Ownership reduction compared to current terrestrial only deployments. To achieve these goals, ETHER develops solutions for a Unified Radio Access Network (RAN) and for the energy-efficient, AI-enabled resource management across the terrestrial, aerial and space domains, while creating the business plans driving future investments in the area. To that end, ETHER introduces and combines a series of key technologies under a unique 3D multi-layered architectural proposition that brings together: i) a UE antenna design and implementation for direct handheld access in the integrated network, ii) a robust unified waveform, iii) energy-efficient seamless horizontal and vertical handover policies, iv) a zero-touch management and network orchestrator to self-adapt to rapidly evolving traffic conditions without human intervention, v) a flexible payload system to enable programmability in the aerial and space layers, vi) joint communication, compute and storage resource allocation solutions targeting at End-to-End network performance optimization leveraging efficient and novel predictive analytics schemes, and vii) energy-efficient semantics-aware information handling techniques combined with edge computing and caching for reduced latency across the distributed 3D compute and storage continuum.

Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU 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.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-SNS-2022

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DU LUXEMBOURG
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 899 625,00
Address
2 PLACE DE L'UNIVERSITE
4365 ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE
Luxembourg

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Region
Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 899 625,00

Participants (10)

Partners (2)

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