Communications, Networking, and Signal Processing
The Research Area brings together five complementary groups working on next-generation communication networks, navigation, sensing, imaging, and intelligent networked systems. Its mission is to develop reliable, secure, sustainable, and AI-enabled systems for digital transformation in society, industry, mobility, and space. The Area covers the full innovation chain, from theoretical modeling and algorithm design to simulation, prototyping, validation, standardization, and technology transfer.
Within this vision, the Telecommunications Network Group contributes to the evolution of communication networks into programmable, virtualized, automated, secure, and sustainable infrastructures. Its research combines advanced networking technologies with machine learning and artificial intelligence to design networks that can monitor their own behavior, optimize the use of resources, protect data and services, and adapt autonomously to changing conditions.
A second component is the Communication and Computing for Mobile Edge Technologies group, which addresses the evolution of mobile, vehicular, and non-terrestrial systems toward intelligent and distributed communication infrastructures for upcoming 6G networks. Its research combines communication, computing, and artificial intelligence to bring services closer to users and devices, enabling low-latency, reliable, and resilient connectivity across terrestrial, aerial, and satellite networks.
The Advanced Research in Transmission and Communication Systems group contributes to the design of the fundamental technologies that make communication systems reliable, efficient, secure, and adaptive. Its research combines communication theory, physical layer design, signal processing, and artificial intelligence to improve information transmission over wireless, optical, and satellite links, supporting the development of future high-performance communication systems and standards.
A fourth pillar, represented by the Navigation Signal Analysis and Simulation group, brings to the Area strong expertise in satellite navigation and positioning, navigation, and timing technologies. By combining GNSS signal processing, receiver design, interference mitigation, and communication-navigation integration, the group develops dependable PNT solutions for autonomous mobility, precision applications, critical infrastructures, and space missions.
Finally, the Image Processing and Learning Group, strengthens the Area’s expertise in intelligent sensing, Earth observation, and space applications. By combining image processing, machine learning, and advanced signal reconstruction methods, the group develops solutions to extract reliable information from complex satellite and multi-sensor data, supporting high-resolution Earth observation, onboard data analysis, efficient compression, anomaly detection, and autonomous decision-making in space systems.
Overall, the Research Area offers an interdisciplinary environment where networking, telecommunications, signal processing, artificial intelligence, navigation, imaging, and space technologies are developed in close synergy. The five groups contribute distinct but interconnected competences, creating a critical mass capable of addressing complex scientific and industrial challenges. The Area participates in national and European projects, collaborates with academic and industrial partners, and contributes to standards and scientific communities. It is open to collaboration with industries, universities, research centers, and international institutions, and welcomes students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and young scientists from all over the world who wish to grow in a stimulating and ambitious environment.
Within this vision, the Telecommunications Network Group contributes to the evolution of communication networks into programmable, virtualized, automated, secure, and sustainable infrastructures. Its research combines advanced networking technologies with machine learning and artificial intelligence to design networks that can monitor their own behavior, optimize the use of resources, protect data and services, and adapt autonomously to changing conditions.
A second component is the Communication and Computing for Mobile Edge Technologies group, which addresses the evolution of mobile, vehicular, and non-terrestrial systems toward intelligent and distributed communication infrastructures for upcoming 6G networks. Its research combines communication, computing, and artificial intelligence to bring services closer to users and devices, enabling low-latency, reliable, and resilient connectivity across terrestrial, aerial, and satellite networks.
The Advanced Research in Transmission and Communication Systems group contributes to the design of the fundamental technologies that make communication systems reliable, efficient, secure, and adaptive. Its research combines communication theory, physical layer design, signal processing, and artificial intelligence to improve information transmission over wireless, optical, and satellite links, supporting the development of future high-performance communication systems and standards.
A fourth pillar, represented by the Navigation Signal Analysis and Simulation group, brings to the Area strong expertise in satellite navigation and positioning, navigation, and timing technologies. By combining GNSS signal processing, receiver design, interference mitigation, and communication-navigation integration, the group develops dependable PNT solutions for autonomous mobility, precision applications, critical infrastructures, and space missions.
Finally, the Image Processing and Learning Group, strengthens the Area’s expertise in intelligent sensing, Earth observation, and space applications. By combining image processing, machine learning, and advanced signal reconstruction methods, the group develops solutions to extract reliable information from complex satellite and multi-sensor data, supporting high-resolution Earth observation, onboard data analysis, efficient compression, anomaly detection, and autonomous decision-making in space systems.
Overall, the Research Area offers an interdisciplinary environment where networking, telecommunications, signal processing, artificial intelligence, navigation, imaging, and space technologies are developed in close synergy. The five groups contribute distinct but interconnected competences, creating a critical mass capable of addressing complex scientific and industrial challenges. The Area participates in national and European projects, collaborates with academic and industrial partners, and contributes to standards and scientific communities. It is open to collaboration with industries, universities, research centers, and international institutions, and welcomes students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and young scientists from all over the world who wish to grow in a stimulating and ambitious environment.