The project “Foundational Algorithms, Protocols, and Systems for Multi-Tier 6G-Non-Terrestrial Networks Integrated Communication and Environmental Sensing (6G-NTN-E),” led by Tommy Svensson, Full Professor at Communication Systems, has been awarded a grant of 28 MSEK by the Swedish Research Council.
The grant extends over a four-year period and is part of the Swedish Research Council's call for grants to support research environments focused on sixth generation wireless systems (6G). This call is part of the Government's initiative to develop the next generation of wireless systems (6G) and aims to support build-up of strong research environments, where teams of researchers work towards a joint research goal, both nationally and bi- or multilateral collaborations.
The project focuses on creating integrated terrestrial (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) for future mobile systems. By combining satellite communications and high-altitude platforms with terrestrial networks, the project aims to enhance internet accessibility, especially in remote areas, minimizing the need for costly terrestrial infrastructure. It also seeks to create energy-efficient TN-NTN systems to ensure sustainable mobile networks. Additionally, the research explores how satellites can be used not only for communications, but also for environmental monitoring and collecting global data on the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land, enabling studies on climate change, deforestation, and rapid environmental events like floods.
“I’m excited that we get the chance at Chalmers to launch this research environment on 6G-NTN. It is a very important research area for 6G mobile communications in order to meet the goals set on Sustainable, Inclusive and Trustworthy mobile networks with integrated sensing capabilities”, says Tommy Svensson, PI at E2, Chalmers.
6G-NTN-E unites a multidisciplinary team of leading researchers in signal processing, NTN architectures, network protocols, antenna design, optical systems, and Earth observation to address those challenges.
Researchers from several departments at Chalmers are involved in this project, including the departments of Electrical Engineering, Microtechnology and Nanoscience, and Space, Earth and Environment. Additionally, researchers from Karlstad University and Carleton University in Canada are participating.
Key contributors
- Tommy Svensson (PI), Full Professor at Communication Systems, Chalmers (E2)
- Anna Brunström (Co-PI), Professor in Computer Science, Karlstad University
- Marianna Ivashina (Co-PI), Full Professor at Antenna Systems, Chalmers (E2)
- Magnus Karlsson (Co-PI), Full Professor at Photonics, Chalmers (MC2)
- Lars Ulander (Co-PI), Full Professor at Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Chalmers (SEE)
- Halim Yanikomeroglu (Co-PI), Chancellor’s Professor, Carleton University, Canada
- Leif Eriksson, Professor at Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Chalmers (SEE)
- Full Professor, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks, Electrical Engineering