AETHER Link – Hybrid, resilient real-time telemetry and telecommand link

# Record card
329
Thematic areas
ICT & Electronics
ICT & Electronics / Sensor/multi-sensor technology, instrumentation
ICT & Electronics / Cybersecurity
ICT & Electronics / Network technology, network security
ICT & Electronics / Internet of Things
ICT & Electronics / Information processing, information system, workflow management
ICT & Electronics / Microwaves and RF
ICT & Electronics / Telecommunications
Aerospace and Earth Science
Aerospace and Earth Science / Aeronautical technologies and avionics
Aerospace and Earth Science / Satellite technologies
Aerospace and Earth Science / Oceanography
Energy and environmental sustainability
Tourism, social sciences and cultural heritage / Safety and security
Energy and environmental sustainability / Environmental engineering/technologies
Energy and environmental sustainability / Sensory
Description

AETHER Link is a CNR technology for real-time telemetry and telecommand in test campaigns and experimental operations. It keeps the platform-to-ground connection stable through a hybrid architecture that combines dedicated multi-band RF links (TM/TC) with a satellite Internet backhaul. The system automatically selects the most suitable path and triggers seamless failover to the other channel, ensuring continuity under degradation or brief outages. Operators work from a single interface for data, alerts, and commands. Built on COTS/SDR components, it deploys quickly and integrates with existing avionics and sensors. Resilience mechanisms, critical-data prioritization, forward error correction, and targeted buffering preserve quality and latency. The solution supports full recording for post-test analysis and a “live-only” mode when minimal latency is required. Scalable and modular, it is transferable across application domains and reduces time and cost versus proprietary data links.

Type of innovation
Service/know how innovation
Description of innovative features / Competitive advantages

AETHER Link delivers unified orchestration between RF and satellite Internet: the system automatically selects the best path for each stream (TM, TC, video, housekeeping), with dynamic priorities and instant failover. Using SDR/COTS cuts cost, time, and lock-in, while compatibility with widely used standards (e.g., CCSDS) simplifies integration. The on-board module processes data—filtering, compressing, and error-correcting—so streams remain reliable even with weak signals. Operators work from a single screen for data, alerts, and commands. Deployment is fast thanks to SDR/COTS, and integration with existing avionics and sensors is straightforward. Compared with proprietary data links, it reduces time and cost, avoids single-vendor dependence, and is easy to customize, extend, and scale.

Reference market
Incremental innovation
Impacts on existing markets
Creation of new markets
Development stage
Prototype
TRL
7
Advantages
New product/process/service/technology
Cost reduction
Patentable technology
Yes
Patented technology
No
Publication of technology
No
Technology validation/demonstration
External validation
Market positioning
Italian
European
International
Partner required
Enteprise
Seed capital

Information
For more information and/or to be put in contact with the Research Team, please contact the Project Manager:

Barbara Angelini - Project Manager
CNR - Unità Valorizzazione della Ricerca
Phone number 06.49932415
E-mail barbara.angelini@cnr.it