Connectivity. Just two generations ago, this word had a vastly different meaning. The rise of AI, IoT and smart devices has transformed the nature of communication and data exchange, impacting businesses and people’s daily lives.
While seamless connectivity appears to be the lifeblood of modern society, not all market sectors and regions equally benefit from connectivity advancements.
Addressing this challenge head-on is the ETHER project, led by Konstantinos Ntontin at SnT. ETHER, which stands for “sElf-evolving terrestrial/non-Terrestrial Hybrid nEtwoRks”, seeks to transform global connectivity for the 6G era.
How? By creating a unified network of networks that delivers ubiquitous connectivity, cost-efficiency, and energy savings.
A Three-Dimensional Network
The ambition is to build a 3D-layer architecture, bringing together terrestrial, aerial and space networks. While the concept of combining ground-based systems with satellites is not new, ETHER brings in a third layer of connectivity by integrating the aerial dimension – comprising drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, high-altitude balloons.
Innovative and intelligent integration
To achieve this, the ETHER project is driving an innovative and bold concept in more than one way.
Firstly, ETHER’s approach is not merely about patching disjointed networks together, but creating a unified ecosystem where they operate smoothly as one – leveraging the best of the three networks. This integration promises seamless handovers between different network types, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for users worldwide, even in remote areas.
In addition, central to ETHER’s vision is the use of AI and machine learning for 3D resource management, automation and optimization. This is essential for managing such a complex and heterogeneous network, which involves several satellite constellations at various altitudes and speeds, as well as fast-moving objects in the sky and terrestrial nodes. With AI, the network can self-adapt to dynamic conditions without human intervention, ensuring greater efficiency.
Finally, the architecture involves a distributed 3D computing and caching medium. This technology reduces response delays by managing data traffic efficiently and alleviating congestion towards cloud data centres. By distributing computing resources across terrestrial, aerial, and space domains, ETHER enhances the network’s responsiveness and reliability.
Better coverage, lower costs, more energy savings
The benefits of the ETHER architecture are threefold:
• 100% coverage: the multi-layered approach ensures that connectivity reaches every corner of the world, empowering users with ubiquitous access, including via handheld devices.
• 95% cost reduction: thanks to aerial and space systems, ETHER slashes the need for costly deployment of terrestrial systems.
• 3 times higher energy efficiency: by using solar-powered satellites for connectivity, the architecture reduces reliance on grid-dependent terrestrial networks.
Sparking business opportunities
Beyond technological innovation, ETHER is pioneering new business models.
In collaboration with industrial and academic partners, ETHER is developing three use cases to demonstrate the commercial potential of the unified network:
- Connectivity to IoT devices: facilitating crucial data communication for applications such as agriculture and mining, where reliable connectivity is limited.
- Air-space communication: ensuring seamless connectivity for safety-critical operations in aviation.
- Broadband services to handheld devices: delivering high-speed internet access to underserved rural areas, reducing the digital divide.
An industry-academia endeavour
The ETHER project is a testament to international collaboration, comprising 13 partners from 10 countries, including industrial partners (Collins Aerospace, Orange Polska, Avanti Communications), Academic partners (University of Luxembourg, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Linkoping Universitet), Research Organisations (i2CAT, National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos), and SMEs (SatelIoT Services, Ubiwhere, Nearby Computing, Net Ai Tech, Martel Innovate).
This diverse consortium brings together a unique combination of skills and expertise in different dimensions of the project, such as space, AI, integration and telecommunication. This enables the ETHER team to gather valuable feedback from industry players, ensuring comprehensive development and implementation of the project’s ambitious goals.
Next on the horizon
Since the project kicked off one year ago, the ETHER team has made significant headways, mapping out clear ideas on how to address integration challenges.
Looking ahead, ETHER aims to further validate its concepts through real-world use cases and promote its research work internationally to expand stakeholder involvement.
Beyond its three-year project period, the ambition is to push for technological readiness and advance proof-of-concept demonstrations to bring ETHER to the next level – paving the way for the next leap forward in global connectivity.
This article was first published on 25 July by University of Luxembourg.
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