Dr. Jasenka Rakas has been awarded funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through its VINES (Vertical Integration of Next-Generation Networks) program to support research on AERONET (AI-enabled Orchestration of Heterogeneous Networks for Aviation Safety).
The AERONET project aims to advance intelligent and resilient communications systems for aviation safety. Rakas is a key member of a collaborative research team led by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), with researchers from UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northeastern University.
The aviation sector represents a high-impact vertical application with urgent demand for next-generation (NextG) networking capabilities that can support safety-critical, low-latency, and highly reliable communications. The AI-enabled Orchestration of Heterogeneous Networks for Aviation Safety (AERONET) project seeks to develop an architecture that unifies private 5G, Wi-Fi, and multi-orbit satellite networks to deliver always-on, ultra-reliable, high-bandwidth communications across air and ground domains, directly enhancing aviation safety, efficiency, and resilience. The resulting technology will significantly reduce air-traffic control workload and miscommunication errors through reliable digital exchange. It will provide pilots with real-time, high-fidelity situational awareness, including weather, traffic, and airport data, by implementing predictive safety monitoring via continuous flight data streaming. The project will improve airport ground operations through resilient surface connectivity. AERONET advances the VINES vision by demonstrating how NextG networking transforms aviation communication to enhance safety, efficiency, resilience, and scalability.
The NSF has awarded $4.8 million to support the project. For more details, view the NSF Award Announcement (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2554557).
Congratulations, Dr. Rakas!