Highlights of our Research

Topics

With its mission-oriented work, the Institute of Communications and Navigation focuses on major challenges with social relevance and aims to make significant technological contributions. In addition to the highest quality of scientific work, special attention is paid to the transfer of results into application in order to provide concrete benefits. The topics often span several DLR programs. In addition, the latest communication and navigation techniques often enable further developments in other areas.

In the following, we would like to present some highlights of the Institute's current work in more detail.

OSIRIS - Optical Communication in Space

With our developments for laser communication in space, we enable global networking of man and machine.

QKD - quantum technologies for secure communication

The security of data traffic is a major challenge for modern society in the context of advancing digitalisation.

Kepler – Third Generation of Satellite Navigation Systems

With the Kepler conceptual design, we want to pave the way for the third generation of satellite navigation systems, which hold out the prospect of unprecedented precision and reliability, making tomorrow's applications such as autonomous driving and flying possible in the first place.

Standards for aviation

Communication and navigation for safe and efficient air traffic

Maritime security and navigation

To support safe shipping on the world's oceans and inland waterways, we are researching new methods and technologies to improve the accuracy and integrity of data supplied by sensors and services in the maritime environment.

Next Generation Train

In order to enable innovative rail concepts (next generation train), scientists at the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation are working on new communication methods for train traffic and are focusing on communication between trains (train-to-train).