Vision

The 6G-NTN project envisions a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) component fully integrated into the future 6G infrastructure. Compared to the current 5G NTN, this will better meet the vertical industry’s needs and consumer market expectations because of its greater coverage, increased resilience, and improved sustainability.

In order to accomplish this objective, the 6G-NTN project will research and develop a revolutionary three-dimensional (3D) network infrastructure concept for 6G with the ambition to provide, through unification with the TN component, a ubiquitous coverage with high data rate communication at quasi ultra-low latency while providing a disruptive concept of high accuracy and reliable location service. Eventually, 6G-NTN will define a roadmap for the development of the necessary technical, regulatory and standardisation building blocks to enable integrated NTN service provisioning and disruptive market offer in the 2030-35 timeframe.

This will foster Europe’s technological leadership in the NTN sector and empower vertical domains well beyond the current 5G capabilities.

Overview of 6G-NTN vision

Expected impact

  • Interoperability between 3D NTN-based multi-orbit satellites and TN component 
  • Innovative satellite constellation concept 
  • Support of ultra-small size terminal 
  • Support of smartphones
  • Enhanced network-based user equipment
  • Spectrum usage optimisation

Objectives

OBJ 1

Identify the target service and operational requirements for 6G NTN component

OBJ 2

Design/sizing of a 3D NTN to meet the target user requirements

OBJ 3

Design trade-off and assessment of compact terminals targeted by the 3D NTN component

OBJ 4

Design flexible software defined payload across flying platforms and frequency bands

OBJ 5

Design key characteristics/features of a flexible waveform for 6G’s integrated radio access network

OBJ 6

Design and development of dynamic orchestration of Virtual Network Functions in a 3D network for 6G

OBJ 7

Design a reliable and accurate positioning function for 6G systems with a precision
below 10 cm

OBJ 8

Design enabling features for spectrum usage optimisation between the different network nodes

OBJ 9

Maximise the impact of 6G-NTN and strengthening Europe’s industrial leadership in the sector

OBJ 1

Identify the target service and operational requirements for 6G NTN component

OBJ 2

Design/sizing of a 3D NTN to meet the target user requirements

OBJ 3

Design trade-off and assessment of compact terminals targeted by the 3D NTN component

OBJ 4

Design flexible software defined payload across flying platforms and frequency bands

OBJ 5

Design key characteristics/features of a flexible waveform for 6G’s integrated radio access network

OBJ 6

Design and development of dynamic orchestration of Virtual Network Functions in a 3D network for 6G

OBJ 7

Design a reliable and accurate positioning function for the 6G system with a precision below 10 cm

OBJ 8

Design enabling features for spectrum usage optimisation between the different network nodes

OBJ 9

Maximise the impact of 6G-NTN and strengthening Europe’s industrial leadership in the sector