The 6G-TakeOff research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, has concluded after three years. The project focused on developing and testing components for future 6G mobile networks. At a closing event at the University of Bremen, researchers presented results that included advances in three-dimensional (3D) networks. These networks use ground-based stations along with airborne platforms and satellites to provide flexible network capacity.
The consortium was led by Deutsche Telekom and included 19 partners from different sectors such as aerospace, communications, software industries, manufacturers, and research institutes. Notable industry participants were Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Creonic GmbH, DSI Aerospace GmbH, EANT GmbH, IMST GmbH, NXP Semiconductors, OTARIS Interactive Services GmbH, Rohde & Schwarz, Boldyn Networks; user companies John Deere GmbH & Co. KG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG; network operators Deutsche Telekom and O2 Telefónica; as well as several academic institutions including the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS, IHP Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, University of Bremen and the Center for Telematics Würzburg.
Key technical achievements were demonstrated through several prototypes:
– Device handover in a simulated 3D network: Tests conducted at the University of Bremen involved base stations on the ground as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the air and satellite hardware mounted on a tower. The setup allowed study of how devices switch connections between different parts of the network.
– Local deployment of mobile edge computing services: The team showed that edge computing—which processes data locally—can be applied to non-terrestrial networks so that temporary local networks can be established when needed.
– Feederlink technology for UAVs: New lightweight antenna designs with strong directional focus were developed to connect UAVs to core ground networks using feederlinks capable of high-rate data transmission. Techniques for precisely aligning antennas with moving UAVs were also tested.
In addition to these demonstrators remaining available for further research use after project completion, seven patent applications have been filed based on innovations from this work.
Thomas Lips, SVP RAN Disaggregation & Enablement at Deutsche Telekom said: “The 6G-TakeOff project has helped us better understand the practical challenges of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial components into a unified 3D communication framework. It offers valuable insights on how future 6G systems could improve service continuity, resilience and capacity wherever needed. The project has laid a strong foundation for further cross-industry cooperation towards 6G.”
Research into sixth-generation mobile networks (6G) is ongoing worldwide under organizations like 3GPP which is developing specifications. Commercial rollout is expected in the early 2030s.
