Keysight Technologies and Sateliot Win Prestigious ESA and GSMA Foundry Challenge for 6G Innovation

This award highlights the importance of early-stage innovations in the development of 6G technology and emphasizes the integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). The funding for this initiative was made possible through the ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity line, part of the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program. This initiative aims to promote research and development in advanced telecommunications, particularly focusing on satellite-terrestrial convergence as recommended by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

The primary goal of the challenge is to foster innovation that validates technical solutions for integrating satellite systems with terrestrial networks. This integration is essential for enabling ubiquitous connectivity and high-performance communications, which are crucial for the future of global telecommunications.

The collaboration between Keysight and Sateliot proposes an advanced solution that integrates blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning technologies. This approach aims to implement digital calibration certificates that provide traceable calibration from the point of satellite manufacturing to network operation.

By enhancing satellite autonomy, the solution strives to optimize network reliability, maximize uptime, and facilitate rapid detection and response to performance issues. This innovation ensures device trust, network integrity, and real-time anomaly detection across the hybrid space-terrestrial segments, empowering operators and enterprises to prepare for commercial NTN deployments.

Antonio Franchi, Head of the Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme at ESA, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Through these challenges, ESA aims to accelerate technologies that give Europe an edge. Keysight and Sateliot demonstrate exactly this with a solution that tackles a critical need for future 5G and 6G networks by strengthening trust in network performance, improving resilience, and supporting the smooth integration of satellite and terrestrial systems.”

Richard Cockle, Head of GSMA Foundry at GSMA, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Now in its fifth year, the GSMA Foundry Excellence Awards continue to recognize and celebrate the most innovative and impactful projects in the mobile and digital industries. This year’s winners show how open collaboration can tackle real operator challenges and scale globally.”

Eric Taylor, Vice President of Aerospace, Defense, and Government Solutions at Keysight, highlighted the significance of this recognition, stating, “This recognition from the European Space Agency and the GSMA Foundry underscores the importance of trust, assurance, and autonomy as NTNs scale toward commercial readiness. Our collaboration with Sateliot demonstrates how advanced test, measurement, and AI-driven analytics can bring unprecedented visibility into hybrid space-terrestrial networks.”

Albert Pujol, CIO at Sateliot, expressed pride in their R&D team's achievements, remarking, "This award is a recognition of the talent of our R&D team in creating a trusted architecture. Together with Keysight, we have demonstrated that Sateliot not only offers global connectivity but also leads the way in the resilience and operational autonomy necessary to transform space into a secure infrastructure."

The recognition of Keysight Technologies and Sateliot in the ESA and GSMA Foundry Innovation Challenge underscores the growing importance of innovative solutions in the telecommunications sector. Their collaborative efforts in developing a blockchain-enabled anomaly detection solution signify a crucial step toward achieving sustainable connectivity and robust non-terrestrial network integration, paving the way for the future of 6G technology. As the industry progresses, such advancements will play a vital role in enhancing global connectivity and operational efficiency.