Plenary Panel 1
NTN-the roadmap to 6G’
Chair:
Prof Barry Evans, University of Surrey, UK
Since last year’s Panel we have seen D2D progress to operating systems in the FR1 band in many countries ,and IOT satellites and chips become commercial. Satellite operators have increasingly adopted a multi-orbit business with multi-frequency/orbit terminals come onto the market. Satellite operators are planning to launch advanced processing payloads as demonstrators for the next generation of satellites. Views on 6G spectrum are hardening and we watch with interest preparation for WRC27 and new allocations for D2D—but will the business case really prove out? Convergence of satellite and terrestrial continues apace, especially in 6G standards but still lacks E2E orchestration models for MNO’s and SNO’s to co-exist. AI is still locked in the R&D stage with little evidence of real implementation. Security in NTN systems has emerged as a major topic spurred on by D2D emergence. The word ‘Sovereignty’ has entered into the satellite world and is driving several new ventures.
Key Topics:
- Multi frequency/orbit terminals
- D2c, methods of delivering the service and the business case
- Convergence of TN and NTN—are MNO’s and SNOs engaged?
- Is D2D really the next big market for Satcoms?
- How will AI emerge revolutionize future SatComs?
- What are the key technologies for future advance processing satellites.
- How will sovereignty shape future satellite systems
Barry Evans is Professor of Satellite Communications in the Institute for Communications and 6GIC at the University of Surrey. At Surrey he founded the Centre for Communication Systems Research, now the Institute for Communication Systems and was a founding Director of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. He served as Dean of Engineering and Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation but has now returned to research full time to head up the satellite communications area in ICS. He is involved in several projects integrating 5G with satellite systems and NTN-NT coexistence. He has recently been appointed chair of UKTIN’s Expert Working Group on NTN. Barry is also Editor of the International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Panelists:
Joel Groz, SES, USA
Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli, University of Bologna, Italy
Daniele Finocchiaro, Eutelsat, France
Naoto Kadowaki, NICT, Japan
Dorin Panaitopol, Thales Group, France
Plenary Panel 2
Quantum Era: Re-imagining Space Communications, Navigation, and Sensing
Chair:
Nafiz Karabudak, Corporate Science & Technology Manager, Lockheed Martin Corp., USA
Quantum technologies are set to revolutionize Space Communications, Navigation, and Sensing networks and links by enabling unprecedented levels of security, resilience, and performance. This panel will explore how quantum communication concepts such as quantum key distribution (QKD), entanglement-based networks, and advanced quantum powered sensing can be integrated into future Space Communications and Inter-Satellite Links, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) architectures and systems. Experts from Academia, Industry, and Space agencies will discuss technological opportunities, implementation challenges, and the roadmap toward a quantum-enabled space infrastructure.