Test environment for space-based communication networks of the future generation (6G)
April 30, 2026
Test environment for space-based communication networks of the future generation (6G)
Symbolic key handover for the NTN Testlab
With the symbolic handover of the keys, the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation laid the foundation stone for a new NTN test lab.
From left to right: Michael Scheckenhofer (StMWi), Dr. Nataliia Schmidt, DLR Project Administrative Manager xG-NOVA, Dr. Sandro Scalise, DLR - Head of Satellite Networks Department, Pascal Warnke, Site Manager EDMO Flugbetrieb GmbH, Dr. Florian David, Director DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation, Miruna Raceala-Motoc, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH on behalf of the BMFTR, Lara Fränkle, Asset Management & Project Development @Air Tech Campus Oberpfaffenhofen, Dr. Federico Clazzer, DLR Project Manager xG-NOVA and responsible for NTN-Testlab
Set-up of a new test lab for non-terrestrial networks (NTN)
Interdisciplinary test conditions for research work and application in key industries
With the symbolic handover of the keys, the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation laid the foundation stone for a new NTN test lab. For this purpose, a hall near the institute's site in Oberpfaffenhofen has been rented from EDMO Flugbetriebs GmbH for the coming years.
In the coming months, the project team, led by Dr. Sandro Scalise, will set up a shielded laboratory environment. It will offer unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research approaches on terrestrial, satellite and AI-supported network environments. This will be used to investigate possibilities for secure and faster communication in future 6G networks.
"We will be able to simulate future network structures and satellite constellations, which can then also be used by other research institutes and industrial partners to test their respective applications. In this way, we are building a bridge between scientific work and practical application testing referring to the requirements of various industries," said Dr. Florian David, Director of the Institute of Communication and Navigation.
At a small ceremony, the DLR team thanked representatives of the project sponsor VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH for funding the new test environment on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the xG-NOVA - Innovations for Networked Medicine and Mobility of the Future project, as well as representatives of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi) for the support provided through the xG-byNTN project.
