Wednesday 17 June, 11h45-19h00 @ The Beacon – Antwerp
The rise of 3D wireless networks is transforming connectivity beyond traditional ground-based cellular systems. By integrating terrestrial infrastructure with drones, satellites, and high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), future wireless networks will provide seamless coverage across land, air, and sea.
This evolution is closely linked to the emergence of hybrid non-terrestrial and cellular 5G/6G architectures that jointly support communication services and PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing).
These networks are enabling efficient communication in fully three-dimensional environments while improving coverage, resilience, and spectral efficiency.
A major recent milestone is the recent launch by ESA of the first Celeste low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. LEO satellite systems provide important advantages for both communication and PNT applications, including lower latency, greater robustness against spoofing and jamming, and a higher positioning accuracy with much faster signal acquisition.
As 6G research accelerates, 3D wireless connectivity is expected to become a cornerstone of next-generation communication systems, enabling ubiquitous, resilient, and high-capacity networks for an increasingly connected world.
The convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks opens up significant opportunities for new and emerging applications, such as autonomous mobility, massive remote industrial automation, disaster-resilient communications and large-scale IoT deployments.
This workshop will feature:
a tutorial on 3D wireless networks
insights into hybrid non-terrestrial and 5/6G networks
low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and their advantages for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT)
emerging applications enabled by 3D connectivity
The workshop will include presentations and live demonstrations of recent innovations, together with excellent networking opportunities for researchers, industry experts, and policymakers.
This workshop is organised in collaboration with the project partners of the 5/6G NTN HUB Belgium
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
11h45
Registration & lunch
12h45
Introduction Kris Hermus, Coordinator Wireless Community & Innovation Program Manager Flanders, imec
13h00
The rise of 3D wireless connectivity – Joint communication and navigation through hybrid cellular and non-terrestrial networks Thomas Janssen, Senior Researcher, imec-IDLab-UAntwerp
This presentation provides an overview of how Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) and Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (LEO-PNT) systems can enhance and complement existing Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It discusses key GNSS limitations, including limited accuracy, weak signal availability, multipath effects, and vulnerability to jamming and spoofing—and explains how emerging LEO satellite constellations and 5G/6G NTN technologies can improve positioning performance, resilience, and global connectivity. The presentation also highlights current LEO-PNT approaches, future research directions, and the growing importance of secure and integrated satellite-based navigation systems for next-generation applications.
13h30
How low earth orbit (LEO) satellites are revolutionizing positioning and timing Sibren De Bast, DSP Innovation Engineer, Septentrio
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are set to redefine positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). Operating much closer to Earth than traditional systems such as Galileo and GPS, LEO constellations can deliver higher signal power, greater robustness against spoofing and jamming, reduced multipath, and faster precise point positioning (PPP) convergence. This creates opportunities for resilient navigation and precise timing in existing and emerging applications. This presentation first reviews the state of the art in satellite-based positioning and explores how LEO-based PNT complements existing GNSS infrastructure and drives technological innovation at Septentrio. Finally, we present tracking results from live LEO-PNT systems such as Xona Pulsar and ESA Celeste.
14h00
COFFEE BREAK
14h15
Integrating non-terrestrial networks in 5G-Advanced and 6G networks Miguel Camelo Botero, R&D Manager, imec-IDLab-UAntwerp and Hazem Sallouha, Professor, KU Leuven
The integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) is a key enabler for future 5G-Advanced and 6G communication systems, supporting seamless Ground-Air-Space connectivity. Recent advances in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations are paving the way for direct-to-device broadband services, but significant challenges remain, including mobility, Doppler effects, synchronization, and efficient resource allocation.
This talk outlines the fundamentals of LEO-based NTN communication, including emerging concepts such as multi-satellite cooperative clusters, reviews the evolution of NTN standardization within 3GPP highlighting current capabilities and remaining gaps toward full integration, and discusses selected use cases to assess their feasibility and strategic relevance, identifying key opportunities for innovation and deployment.
14h45
The opportunities of 3D wireless networks for telecom operators Erik Van Lierde, IoT & 5G Solution Architect & 5G Lab Manager, Orange
3D wireless networks combine terrestrial mobile infrastructure with non-terrestrial connectivity such as satellites and HAPS, creating a seamless coverage layer “above” today’s networks. For telecom operators, this is not a parallel technology stack but an evolution of 5G—and the foundation of 6G—standardized in 3GPP Releases 17 and 18. In this presentation, we will explain how NTN integrates with a 5G SA core, what it changes in RAN and operations, and where it can deliver tangible value through coverage extension, resilience, and new IoT/enterprise services.
15h00
COFFEE BREAK
15h30
DEMO TOUR
Demo 1 – nxgsat: 5GNR NTN interoperable broadband satellite communications modem and User Terminals
Use cases for hybrid 5/6G and non-terrestrial networks Seafar, Orange and ADLC
Seafar: operating unmanned and crew-reduced vessels Orange: diverse use cases for mobile operators ADLC: reliable wireless connectivity for drones
17h00
Panel Debate: possibilities of 3D wireless networks for Flanders Accelleran/Firecell, imec/IDLab, neXat, Orange Belgium, Port of Antwerp-Bruges
17h30
Networking reception & free demo visit
19h00
End of the workshop
REGISTRATION
Registration-fees:
Imec employees and residents: free of charge
Employees of Wireless Community members: free of charge
Partners of the 5/6G NTN Hub Belgium: free of charge
Others:
125 EUR (excl VAT) early bird until June 10
150 EUR (excl VAT) late registration from June 11
Please fill in your details in this Event Registration Form below and you will be automatically registered.
A few days prior to the event you will receive a confirmation email with all practical details.
