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Overview

The primary goal of SatNEx under European Union (EU) sponsorship was to achieve long-lasting integration of the European research in satellite communications and to develop a common base of knowledge. SatNEx was formed in 2004 by 22 partner research organisations and universities with the support of the EU FP6 programme as one of several new Networks of Excellence (NoE). In 2006, funding was renewed by the EU to continue with SatNEx-II up to 2009.

Apart from establishing a critical mass of research effort in satellite communications in Europe, SatNex has established a series of annual summer schools for new researchers, providing a comprehensive programme of advanced technical and scientific lectures which cover specific areas in satellite communications. Also, SatNEx has sponsored and coordinated several satellite conferences, has produced many journal and conference papers as well as four books, and has provided inputs to standards bodies and participated in forming standards.

Now, the third stage of SatNEx, SatNEx-III, continues with the support of ESA with a more focused approach. SatNEx III is comprised of 17 European research organisations and universities. The German Aerospace Center DLR with its Institute of Communications and Navigation leads the team with close support by the core team partners University of Surrey, Centre for Communication Systems Research, and University of Bologna.

In general, SatNEx-III will:

  • play an important role in exploring new satcom techniques supporting ESA in selecting the right avenues for R&D work plans (TRP, ARTES 1, ARTES 5)
  • support ESA in ad-hoc technical actions related to satcom standards
  • identify promising terrestrial technology spin-in into space
  • play a pivotal role in forming young professionals for satcom.

Throughout the three-years duration of SatNEx-III, horizontal activities will be pursued in the following areas:

  • Long-term development of satcom visions and systems
  • Development of physical and access layer technologies
  • Development of networking technologies and protocols
  • Satcom training activities and dissemination of SatNEx-III results.

In addition, ESA will activate each year a number of specific advanced research areas. In the first project year, SatNEx-III has been charged with the following tasks:

  • Concept development for a Terabit/s satellite system
  • Exploration of hybrid space/ground signal processing techniques
  • Investigation of new protocols for disruption tolerant satellite communications

Additional information