The Non-Terrestrial Networks Group

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About the group

Initiatives to provide mobile connectivity from space are rapidly expanding. Non-terrestrial networks have the capability of providing reliable connectivity to areas which were previously difficult to connect, transforming economies. It is an advantageous addition to the wireless offering, especially as capacity increases and technological challenges are overcome. But how will non-terrestrial networks sit alongside existing and future 4G and 5G services? Will the relationship be complementary, or competitive?

The CW Non-Terrestrial Networks SIG convenes engineers, technologists and commercial specialists interested in the technology of, and business case for, the use of satellites in telecommunications. It welcomes anyone who wishes to learn from, or debate ideas with, experts in this field.

Topics of interest to this SIG include:

The economics and technical viability of satellite connectivity
Sector-specific applications, including smart cities from space, smart seas from space, smart energy from space, and environmental monitoring
Multi-spectrum sub-metre imaging, including synthetic aperture radar and the role of artificial intelligence as an enabler
GNSS enhancement from LEOS
Wi-Fi 6.0 as an integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial service
Spectrum coexistence in Ku and Ka band, including GSO to MEO to LEO to HAPS to 5G
Emergency service network and PPDR network integration

SIG Champions

Kieran Arnold — Systems Engineer, Future Systems, Satellite Applications Catapult

Kieran has held various senior technical and executive roles over the past 30 years which included R&D Chief Technical Officer for Orange / France Telecom R&D and Head of Payload Systems Engineering, Airbus Space & Defence. He is currently Director of Ubiquitous Connectivity in the Satellite Applications Catapult and General Manager of the Westcott Site where they host their 5G...

Kieran has held various senior technical and executive roles over the past 30 years which included R&D Chief Technical Officer for Orange / France Telecom R&D and Head of Payload Systems Engineering, Airbus Space & Defence. He is currently Director of Ubiquitous Connectivity in the Satellite Applications Catapult and General Manager of the Westcott Site where they host their 5G testbed. Kieran leads on two major 5G projects, firstly a project funded by SEMLEP for Milton Keynes Smart City 5G deployment and a DCMS funded project for Dorset Council providing rural connectivity using satellite and terrestrial connectivity.
Steve Clarke — CTO, Wyld Networks Ltd

Previously a senior BBC engineer and lecturer at Salford University, Steve has many years of experience in software and electronics, from RF telemetry and low-power radio bridges to the multi award-winning Tag McLaren AV processors, EPOS & smart energy meters. Steve founded two IoT companies and led the development team of ACIS (now Vix Technology), growing them to become the...

Previously a senior BBC engineer and lecturer at Salford University, Steve has many years of experience in software and electronics, from RF telemetry and low-power radio bridges to the multi award-winning Tag McLaren AV processors, EPOS & smart energy meters. Steve founded two IoT companies and led the development team of ACIS (now Vix Technology), growing them to become the UK’s largest bus telematics company.

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Stewart Marsh — Head of Aerospace, Cambridge Consultants

As head of aerospace at Cambridge Consultants, Stewart leads the company's collaboration within the sector. Central to Stewart's role is helping companies achieve complex technology breakthroughs that unlock transformative business value. This has included a world-first Push-to-Talk satellite service and an innovative beyond visual line-of-sight UAV solution using low power satellite technology. With over 20 years' technology experience, Stewart has...

As head of aerospace at Cambridge Consultants, Stewart leads the company's collaboration within the sector. Central to Stewart's role is helping companies achieve complex technology breakthroughs that unlock transformative business value. This has included a world-first Push-to-Talk satellite service and an innovative beyond visual line-of-sight UAV solution using low power satellite technology. With over 20 years' technology experience, Stewart has held a range of senior technology roles and has a wealth of expertise across aerospace, mobile communications and GNSS.

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Paul Morris — VP RF and Communications Business Unit, EnSilica plc

Paul has 30 years’ experience working on various wireless and semi-conductor systems most recently promoting semiconductors for Ka-band beamformers for satellite connectivity and growing EnSilica’s business. He gained his semiconductor experience from CSR’s early days through to its trade sale to Qualcomm where he was Senior Director, Technology covering a range of mobile, security, wireless audio and automotive products. He...

Paul has 30 years’ experience working on various wireless and semi-conductor systems most recently promoting semiconductors for Ka-band beamformers for satellite connectivity and growing EnSilica’s business. He gained his semiconductor experience from CSR’s early days through to its trade sale to Qualcomm where he was Senior Director, Technology covering a range of mobile, security, wireless audio and automotive products. He enjoys growing international technology businesses and has lived and worked in France and China. Paul is active in various Cambridge local networks including CW and Cambridge Network and has acted in advisory roles for start-ups.
Dr Jaime Reed — Vice President, Space Data Platforms and Applications, CGI

Jaime loves working with clients to invent the Space services of the future. He leads Space Data Platforms and Applications team in the UK for CGI, the largest IT and business consulting company in the space sector. Using SatCom and Remote Sensing technologies his team work on topics like smart cities, connected transport, AI, 5G, geospatial applications and HAPS. Jaime...

Jaime loves working with clients to invent the Space services of the future. He leads Space Data Platforms and Applications team in the UK for CGI, the largest IT and business consulting company in the space sector. Using SatCom and Remote Sensing technologies his team work on topics like smart cities, connected transport, AI, 5G, geospatial applications and HAPS. Jaime has spent 20 years in the space industry as a systems engineer and project manager working on some of the most complex ground, satellite and software systems for clients like the European Space Agency and NASA. Jaime has a Doctorate in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics and is a Chartered Engineer.

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Dr. Cyril Valadon — Technical Director, MediaTek (MTK Wireless Limited)

Cyril is Technical Director with MediaTek in Cambourne where he is leading the Core Technology Division in the wireless business unit. He completed his PhD at the University of Surrey where he was looking at the use of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) techniques for multimedia satellite communication systems (in the heady days of Globalstar, Iridium, ICO, …). He has...

Cyril is Technical Director with MediaTek in Cambourne where he is leading the Core Technology Division in the wireless business unit. He completed his PhD at the University of Surrey where he was looking at the use of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) techniques for multimedia satellite communication systems (in the heady days of Globalstar, Iridium, ICO, …). He has since spent 20 years in the semiconductor industry standardizing, architecting and developing wireless chipsets for numerous cellular communication standards. His team is currently working on a variety of development projects for 5G/NR solutions and he is personally very keen in exploring opportunities to apply these solutions for different applications.

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