TITAN & ITRI join forces on 6G optical wireless R&D

TITAN, the UK's National Hub on Network of Networks, has signed a Memorandum of Intent with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to collaborate on optical wireless and radio technologies for future mobile networks.

The agreement links TITAN, part of the Federated Telecoms Research Hubs programme, with ITRI's wireless and satellite communications research. The two groups plan joint demonstrations combining optical wireless platforms with modem hardware and software, focusing on scenarios that blend terrestrial networks with satellite links.

Industry interest in non-terrestrial networks has grown as satellite operators and mobile ecosystem players expand testing and move towards integration with established standards. Efforts include trials over low earth orbit and geostationary satellites, alongside work within 3GPP.

Technical focus

The collaboration centres on optical wireless communications and advanced signal processing. Demonstrations will span terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, areas often grouped under 6G planning.

ITRI's modem hardware and software will be combined with TITAN's optical wireless platforms, with demonstrations planned for x-haul and fixed wireless access. This includes backhaul and fronthaul links between network sites, as well as last-mile connections where fibre is not used.

The partners also plan to promote the resulting testbeds and proof-of-concept systems through videos, press materials and live demonstrations at industry events.

TITAN Director Professor Harald Haas, Van Eck Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, described the work as a step towards closer integration of network layers.

"This partnership between TITAN and ITRI represents a significant step towards the seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. It brings together global leadership in complementary technology domains, which has the potential to remove existing barriers to the adoption of LiFi and optical wireless communication systems," said Professor Harald Haas, TITAN Director, University of Cambridge.

Non-terrestrial trials

ITRI has carried out non-terrestrial network trials across different satellite orbits, including multi-orbit trials using in-orbit low earth orbit satellites and commercial geostationary systems. It has also provided 5G air interfaces over satellite links and reported high spectrum efficiency in difficult propagation conditions.

TITAN's programme includes research on techniques for mobility and satellite links. This includes Doppler-robust waveforms designed to address frequency shifts when terminals or satellites move at speed.

The projects reflect a broader push to treat future networks as a composite of many access technologies rather than a single radio layer. In 6G discussions, that approach increasingly places satellite and high-altitude platforms alongside fibre, Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

Work programme

Beyond technical demonstrations, the two organisations plan joint trials, workshops and knowledge-sharing activities. The programme includes end-to-end trials that combine emerging radio and optical wireless technologies across different industry sectors, including transport and logistics, resilient infrastructure and remote industrial automation.

Policy topics are also on the agenda. Public events and expert workshops will cover progress updates and debates on spectrum strategy and standards alignment.

The wider framing includes supply chain and international collaboration themes, which remain active issues in telecoms policy. UK policymakers have sought to diversify mobile network suppliers, while Taiwan has backed domestic programmes in wireless and satellite technologies as part of its longer-term positioning in the 6G cycle.

Under the framework, the two sides plan joint demonstrations and joint funding bids. TITAN is expected to draw on a UK-wide network spanning academia, industry and policy organisations. ITRI brings experience in multi-orbit non-terrestrial systems, along with work on RF front-ends and massive MIMO linked to Taiwan's 6G programmes.

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Federated Telecoms Research Hubs programme has been showcasing research from its four hubs: CHEDDAR, HASC, JOINER and TITAN.