Workshop 1

6G non-terrestrial networks: from theory to practice – Moving towards in-orbit 6G experiments

Date, hour and room to be defined

Organisers

• Adam Kapovits (Eurescom GmbH, )
• Maria Guta (ESA, )
• Akihiro Nakao (Univ. of Tokyo, JP)
• Tomaso de Cola (DLR, )
• Marius Corici (Fraunhofer FOKUS, )
• Armin Dekorsy (Univ. of Bremen, DE)
• Engin Zeydan (CTTC, )
• Babak Mafakheri (Safran Passenger Innovations, )
• Matteo Pagin (Keysight Technologies Denmark, DK)
• Konstantinos Ntontin (Univ. of Luxemburg, LU)
• Cicek Cavdar (KTH, )

The workshop will consist of invited talks, only. The first 90-minute block is foreseen to present results essentially from SNS JU projects, whilst the second 90-minute block will showcase results from research activities from other funding schemes, in particular from ESA funded projects.

The detailed programme of the proposed workshop is as follows:

Block 1:

• Keynote address by professor Nakao highlighting NTN research in Japan and collaboration opportunities
• Tomaso de Cola (DLR): 5G-STARDUST: The functional Validation of 5G-NTN in Lab
  Short abstract: This talk reviews the latest developments performed in the 5G-STARDUST project and provides an in-depth description of the integrated proof-concept consisting in a lab bench hosted in TAS-F premises in Toulouse. In particular, the talk will discuss the obtained performance results and reports the main lessons learnt towards future demonstrations activities.
• Babak Mafakheri (Safran Passenger Innovation): NTN for Verticals: the NexaSphere perspective towards PoC Demonstrations
  Short abstract: This talk addresses the main verticals being considered in the NexaSphere project in terms of civil aviation, railways, and automotive, which serve a end-users for the designed system architecture. In this respect, the presentation will focus on the PoC demonstrations under planning and the main objectives to be pursued with these lab developments. Further to this, discussion about the possible integration of real satellite networks will also be given to further elaborate on the path towards possible in-orbit demonstrations.
• Engin Zeydan (CTTC): ORAN-based 6G NTN networks: the perspective of UNITY-6G
  Short abstract: This talk reviews the recent achievements of the UNITY-6G project in terms of the overall network architecture based on ORAN architecture principles and aims at achieving unification of the main components of 6G, i.e. TN, NTN, and NPN. Moreover, special attention will also be dedicated to the 3 use-cases including NTN connectivity and the ongoing plan towards PoC lab integration, for which some insight about the demonstration objectives will also be shed.
• Matteo Pagin (Keysight Technologies): 6G-SANDBOX: Running 5/6G NTN experimentation. Short abstract: The HE project 6G-SANBOX has launched large-scale trials on four key thematic areas towards 6G, i.e., Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), Reflective Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), Frequency Range 3 (FR3) and Deterministic Networking.
  This presentation will focus on the outcomes of one such trial, i.e., the NTN experiments, where leading stakeholders in the field were invited to validate their technologies in a collaborative, plug-fest-style environment. To enable this, participants were granted access to the 6G-SANDBOX testing infrastructure, complemented by European Space Agency (ESA) satellites for over-the-air 5G/6G NTN experimentation.
• Konstantinos Ntontin (University of Luxemburg): SNS JU ETHER Final Showcase: Demonstrating Sustainable 3D Terrestrial–Non-Terrestrial Networks for Future 6G Services
  This presentation will showcase the live recordings of the demonstration activities that concern the 3 ETHER use cases, namely ETHER Use Case 1: Service Provision to Delay-Tolerant IoT Applications. ETHER Use Case 2: Direct Handheld Device Access, Enabled by TN-NTN Vertical Handovers and ETHER Use Case 3: Airspace Safety-Critical Operations

Block 2:

• Marius Corici (Fraunhofer FOKUS): Implementing Handover Alternatives for TN–NTN Service Continuity
  Short abstract:
  This presentation focuses on the concrete implementation of handover alternatives for unified TN-NTN under abrupt line-of-sight disruptions typical for LEO systems. Building on the limitations of standard N2/Xn and conditional handovers under sub-50 ms link losses, the work analyzes reactive, hybrid, and state-aware mechanisms that operate with zero or minimal pre-coordination while preserving authentication, buffering, and session continuity. The presentation details practical design choices emphasizing the implementation feasibility within emerging 6G architecture and on coping with variable NTN transport characteristics. The goal is to identify handover solutions that are deployable in real systems and robust under unpredictable visibility conditions.
• Professor Armin Dekorsy (University of Bremen): Unified 3D Networks – Results and New Activities of the German 6G Research Initiative
  Short abstract:
  The German 6G initiative has developed core concepts, technical solutions, and test infrastructures for 3D networks in the projects Open6GHub and 6G‑TakeOff. Follow‑up projects Open6GHub+ and 6G‑Coverage build on these results, integrating TN/NTN technologies for connected and automated mobility and driving their transition into application, standardization, and market deployment. The presentation will highlight some key technical achievements, especially of 6GTakeOff, and provide an outlook on the objectives and planned measures of the follow‑up projects Open6GHub+ and 6G‑Coverage.
• TESAT or NxP (speaker to be confirmed)
  Short abstract: AI driven HW/SW platforms for (v)LEO satellite products
  AIComS develops AI‑driven hardware and software platforms for (v)LEO satellite products, supporting 5G/6G baseband processing, packet routing, and flight control. Through a product‑oriented, highly collaborative approach, AIComS fosters early technical convergence, enabling partners to contribute directly to the shaping of 6G standardization. This presentation will highlight data driven learning techniques for PHY processing, routing, and network slicing — designed for AIComS’ target products and aligned with insights from European 6G programs on architectures and use cases.
• James Patrick Kirrane (MDA Space UK): SkyPhi D2D mission
  Short abstract:
  Skyphi is a new mission supported by ESA under the ARTES programme to develop Direct to Device NTN communications. Skyphi is a regenerative 5G NTN payload including innovative Direct Radiating Antenna to enable dynamic beamforming and Software Defined Payload (SDR) able to scale up as needed for commercial services. Regenerative payload hosts 5G/6G baseband processing and edge computing.The presentation will dive into the salient elements of the mission, sysyem and payload architecture, the technological challenges and the innovative manufacturing process fasting up the production.
• Professor Cicek Cavdar (KTH SMART 6GSAT): An overview of the current NTN research activities and plans in Sweden.