European Space Agency (ESA) funded projects

• RESSCAT - Resilient Secure Routing for Satellite Network Constellations.

  In this project, we develop resilient routing protocols that can efficiently balance the traffic loads in the events of volumetric flow attacks in multi-orbit satellite network constellations. We measure the resiliency of the traffic routing protocol, attack costs, detectability and the overall network performance for different types of attack models and scenarios.

  Duration: 2025-2027
  Partners: DLR, OHB System AG, OHB Digital Connect GmbH.

• VLEO - Very Low Earth Orbit System Simulator for Direct Satellite-to-Device 5G/6G Communications.

  Direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication is a critical component to achieve global connectivity for mass market handset devices. In this work, we define the end-to-end system architecture for a 5G-VLEO satellite enwtork specifically designed for D2D communication services. The main contribution involves design of a routing protocol that supports on-board switching and store-and-forward functions in VLEO satellites, enhancing network reliability during topological changes and intermittent link failures.

  Duration: 2025-2027
  Partners: OHB System AG, DLR, University of Bremen.

• AIComS - AI for Satellite 5G Communications, Phase II

  Our contribution to the second phase of this project involves the design of Reinforcement Learning (RL) based routing algorithms for effective load balancing and adpative traffic engineering in dynamic LEO satellite networks. We evaluate both centralized and distributed architectures and further develop structured communication protocols to realize information exchange between agents, central controller and other entities in a satellite network. We also identify specific scenarios to understand the operation of source routing (rule based) and RL based routing algorithms and protocols.

  Duration: 2025-2027
  Partners: DLR, DSI Aerospace GmbH, NXP Semiconductors, S4 – Smart Small Satellite Systems GmbH, Tesat Spacecom, Zentrum für Telematik e.V.

  → [AIComS]

• Space4RAIL 5G-INRAIL

  The scope of this project is to identify and describe system scenarios for the operation of 5G-NR based Future Mobile Railway Communication Systems (FRMCS) in Europe and understand the requirements for the 5G physical layer. We study the channel propagation conditions and develop mathematical models to characterize the fading and attenuation for satellite-to-rail communication links. Further, we examine the robustness of the 5G waveform in handling Inter Carrier Interefrence (ICI) due to high Doppler spreads and measure the link throughput for each of the orbits - LEO, MEO and GEO.

  Duration: 2024-2026
  Partners: Thales Alenia Space Italy (TAS-I), DLR.

  → [5G-INRAIL]

PhD projects

• Artery-C - Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) simulation framework

  Artery-C is an OMNeT++ based system level simulation framework that provides a complete implementation of the Cellular V2X protocol stack layers along with the integration of realistic road traffic scenarios for various types of V2X applications such as V2V, V2P, V2I and V2N.

  Salient features of the simulation framework are:

  • Cellular V2X communication: Implementation of the LTE/5G-NR control and user planes with support of uplink, downlink and sidelink communication interfaces.

  • Radio resource allocation modes: Cellular (Uu) mode and sidelink managed and unmanaged modes.

  • V2X messaging services and protocols: Cooperative Awareness (CA), Collective Perception (CP), Decentralized Environmental Notification (DEN) and VRU Awareness (VA) services along with their respective messaging protocol implementations.

  • Road traffic scenarios: Modeling of realistic highway and urban road traffic scenarios in SUMO along with the cellular network infrastructure. Integrates with the road traffic model for the city of Ingolstadt, Germany.

  Duration: 2019-2023
  Affiliations: CARISSMA Institute of Electric, Connected and Secure Mobility (C-ECOS), Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt and Chair of Computer Networks and Communication Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg.
  

  → [Source code]

• IN²Lab

  The IN²Lab project focuses on the development of a digital test field for connected and automated driving in the city of Ingolstadt, Germany. The roadside infrastructure comprises of the Road Side Units (RSUs) which are equipped with multiple sensors and Cellular V2X communication units which support different types of V2X messaging protocols.

  Basic Cellular V2X use cases primarily target at driver information and warning, such as warning in case of hazards, roadworks and green light optimal speed advisory. In these use-cases, the V2X communication comes an enhancement to the existing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) by providing a means for explicit cooperation.

  Advanced use-cases such as sensor data sharing help to enhance the key functions of vehicle automation such as providing local and extended perception, prediction of driving situations & intentions and further extending to cooperative maneuver and trajectory planning.

  Duration: 2021-2024
  Partners: Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), Fraunhofer-Institut für Verkehrs-und Infrastruktursysteme IVI, Audi AG, Blickfeld GmbH and Continental AG.
  Funding source: Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport and Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, regional Development and Energy (StMWi).
  

  → [IN²Lab]

• 5GoIng

  This project expands the scope of experiments in the urban test field developed during the IN²Lab project. Equipped with modern sensor technology comprising the traffic cameras and LiDAR units, the test field extends the IN²Lab infrastructure along the road at Auwaldsee and connects it with the high-tech park IN-Campus, Ingolstadt, Germany.

  Furthermore, the 5GoIng addresses technical aspects of smart city, traffic safety and sustainability, as well as the social relevant core aspects for acceptance of the technology.

  Duration: 2022-2024
  Partners: Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), Fraunhofer-Institut für Verkehrs- und Infrastruktursysteme IVI, Audi AG, Blickfeld GmbH and Continental AG.
  Funding source: 5G-Implementation Funding of the 5G Innovation Program", the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport
  

  → [5GoIng]