- The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Keysight Technologies as the prime contractor to lead a three-year development program.
- Conducted in collaboration with satellite operator Sateliot, this project aims to design a blockchain-secured anomaly detection system for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTNs).
- This initiative falls under the “Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity” strategic line of ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program.
The proliferation of telecommunications satellite constellations increases the complexity of network infrastructures, which are characterized by dense interactions between space segments, ground stations, and terrestrial cellular networks. This complexity gives rise to challenges regarding anomaly management, data flow security, and operational stability.
With the upcoming deployment of 6G technology—which will see increased integration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks—tamper-proof diagnostic data is essential to enable autonomous network management via artificial intelligence tools.
The technology program centers on the combined use of several digital tools:
- Blockchain: This will create a transparent, immutable validation layer to secure data transactions and in-orbit telemetry.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (ML): These technologies will be applied to the early, autonomous detection of anomalous network behavior.
- Digital calibration certificates: These will be utilized throughout the hardware lifecycle, from satellite manufacturing to operational use.
Technical validation and in-orbit demonstration
The aim of this work is to protect transmissions associated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and cellular networks against the risks of hacking, identity theft, and data tampering.
The project schedule entails a gradual transition from theoretical research and laboratory prototyping phases to validation under real-world conditions. A full in-orbit demonstration will thus be conducted to test the performance of the anomaly detection and blockchain-based validation system directly on satellites within an operational environment.
