Project News: SISTER connects with SatNEx

Date: 25 July 2008

As a Network of Excellence (NoE) project supported by FP6, SatNEx aims at removing barriers, integrating research and spreading excellence in satellite communication technology. SatNEx aims to rectify the fragmentation in satellite communications research by bringing together Europe’s leading academic institutions and research organisations in a cohesive and durable way. The resultant pan-European network provides a collective grouping of expertise and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities that would otherwise remain dispersed throughout Europe. The Satcoms In Support of Transport on European Roads (SISTER) project works to promote the integration of satellite and terrestrial communications with GALILEO to enable mass market take-up by road transport applications.

SatNEx has been identified as a key project for cooperation with SISTER. Both projects will benefit from the cooperation. SISTER can use SatNEx as a platform to disseminate its outcomes and gather information on R&D of satellite communication. SatNEx would also bring added value to the SISTER project in the area of development and applications of satellite communication technologies. Transport has been recognised as a key application area for the satellite communication industry.

A number of common activities from the two projects are envisaged. The SatNEx deliverable “Visions and System Studies” has been used by SISTER for reference. SISTER provides its deliverables on market analysis and operation needs. SatNEx and SISTER will also team up on dissemination activities. The organisation of joint workshops is planned in order to get the dissemination of project results off the ground.

The biggest potential for integration with the SISTER project lies in the transfer of knowledge gathered from the two projects into future research, market development and in feeding it into EC policy formulation. ERTICO – ITS Europe will be the platform for disseminating the output of SatNEx and general knowledge of satellite communication to transport industry and key policy makers.

Transport professionals can gather information on satellite communication as well as its potential applications, while satellite communication experts can learn more on user needs in ITS applications. As a result, research activities of satellite communication and ITS communities will be better integrated, and the development of satellite communication in ITS will be promoted.

For more information please contact Yanying Li at y.li@mail.ertico.com.