The Communications and Networking lab of the Department of Informatics and Communications of University of Thessaly is a rapidly developing research group established in 2022 consisting of hard-working scientists and students.
We device signal and information processing algorithms and develop software for next generation communication networks using simulation tools and testbed platforms.
Forge the connective tissue of tomorrow's intelligent networks. Comnet Lab advances Non‑Terrestrial and terrestrial systems by translating bold scientific inquiry into deployable architectures, open RAN solutions, and AI-native protocols that scale from satellites to edge clouds.
A resilient, ubiquitous communications fabric that anticipates needs, adapts autonomously, and unlocks global connectivity at planetary scale. We envision 6G and NTNs seamlessly integrated with AI/ML-driven control planes, enabling new classes of services — from remote healthcare and resilient disaster response to hyper-efficient industrial automation.
We combine rigorous theory, reproducible experimentation, and industry‑grade system design to drive measurable outcomes: standards contributions, validated prototypes, high‑impact publications, and technology transfers that shorten time‑to‑deployment for carriers and integrators.
Innovation with integrity: rigorous reproducibility and open collaboration; systems thinking: end‑to‑end co-design across radios, virtualization layers, and AI control; and scalability by design: architectures purpose‑built for the performance, security, and sustainability requirements of next‑gen networks.
The new challenges emerging in telecommunications and 5G and 6G communication networks are directly related to the increasing demand for reliable telecommunication systems and networks to support and operate new services and applications. Telecommunications and wireless networks have grown significantly in recent years and communication networks, for transmitting at very high data rate (Gbps) and with a significant degree of security are used in all human activities for the purpose of reliable human communication.
Intelligent network cognition and autonomy: federated learning for distributed inference, explainable ML for protocol decisioning...
Engineering tomorrow's radio fabric: mmWave and sub‑THz propagation studies, massive MIMO and beam management...
Defining the 6G ecosystem: terabit orchestration, semantic communications, integrated sensing and communication...
Open, programmable, carrier‑grade infrastructures: disaggregated RAN design, xApps/rApps for near‑real‑time control...
Exploring cutting-edge innovations in quantum networking, edge intelligence, and next-gen protocols...
LEO-DIVE (Robust LEO Multi-Satellite DIVErsity Techniques For Enhanced User Terminal Performance ) objective is to design, develop and verify via a system testbed (STB) multi-satellite (≥2) diversity technique applicable to large LEO constellations to combat the detrimental effects such as shadowing, multipath fading and channel blockage events. Specifically, the Multi-Satellite Diversity Techniques (MDTs) are expected to improve the achievable peak data rate and the link outage probability at the UTs when at least two satellites are in visibility.
5G-GOVSATCOM (5th Generation Technology Standard for European Union Govermental Satellite Communications) targets the development and evaluation in a natural user environment of different key enabling technologies that aim to provide full integration of 5G-NTN in the EU-GOVSATCOM framework. In the radio technologies domain, 5G-GOVSATCOM targets the development of necessary adaptations and enhancements of radio access procedures to attend to geostationary mobile terminals in the exclusive governmental X-band. Furthermore, the integration of 5G-NTN user equipment with an antenna operationally focused on on-the-move and on-the-pause scenarios is planned. In parallel, in the inter-networking segments, 5G-GOVSATCOM aims to provide a seamless handover between terrestrial networks and NTN via a smart gateway while enhancing core-network functionalities. Finally, all project developments are planned to be first validated in a controlled lab with satellite connectivity and, posteriorly, experimentally tested in close collaboration with final users. These latter tests will constitute the first 5G-NTN trials with final users devoted to i) ubiquitous telemedicine in maritime areas and ii) crisis management connectivity bubble.
Experimental platform combining terahertz channel sounding and reconfigurable intelligent surface prototypes.
Experimental platform combining terahertz channel sounding and reconfigurable intelligent surface prototypes.
Theodoros A. Tsiftsis (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Uni versity of Patras, Patras, Greece, in 2006. He is a Professor with the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, University of Thessaly, Lam ia, Greece. His research interests fall into the broad areas of communication theory and wireless communications with emphasis on wireless communicat ions theory, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, optical wireless communications, and physical-layer security. Dr. Tsiftsis served on the Editorial Boards of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VEHICULAR TECHNOLOGY, and IEEE COMMUNICATIONS LETTERS. He is currently an Asso ciate Editor of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS and IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MOBILE COMPUTING. He was appointed as an IEEE Vehicular Techn ology Society Distinguished Lecturer from 2018 to 2022.
Fotis Foukalas (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Diploma degree in electrical and computer engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalo niki, Greece, in 2001, the M.Sc. degree in technology systems from the National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece, in 2004, and the Ph.D. degr ee in informatics and telecommunications from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, in 2011. He has been working with the University of T hessaly, Lamia, Greece, as an Assistant Professor since 2021. His expertise is on signal and information processing for communications, networking, and com puting systems.
Dr. Theofilos Chrysikos received his Engineering Diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Patras (2005) and his PhD in Wireless Channel Characterization (2012). His topics of interest include the convergence of new generation optical and wireless networks, wireless broadband networking, wireless channel modeling, 5G standardization, mobile cellular networks, small cells/backhaul design and evaluation, antennas and propagation, microwave/RF/EMC measurements and characterization, satellite networks and telemetry systems, IoT and Smart home/cities, Body Area Networks and Smart/Mobile Health, biomedical/biomechanical interdisciplinary research, information-theoretic physical layer security, ad-hoc and sensor networks, vehicular communications, Public Safety/PPDR services and digital cultural platforms and solutions.
Yunping Mu received the B.Sc. degree in Internet of Things Engineering from Qingdao University, Qingdao, China, in 2017, and the M.S. degree in Computer Science and Technology from the same university in 2020. She has been pursuing the Ph.D. degree since 2020 with the School of Computer Science and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China. She is currently a visiting Ph.D. student at the Communications & Networking Laboratory, University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece. Her research interests include wireless communications in tunnel environments, channel modeling and estimation, backscatter-assisted communications, and signal processing.
Christos Tsakos received his 5 years diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2022 with a telecommunications specialization. He is a PhD candidate since 2023 at the department of Informatics and Telecommunication of University of Thessaly working on beyond 5G radio acc ess networks with a focus on extreme low latency and reliable radio access. His research interests are in the area of 6G open radio access networks.
Lefteris Stafidas received his BSc degree from the department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Athens in 2007 and his MSc degree in Communication Systems and Networks in 2009 from the same department. He is a PhD candidate since 2022 at the department of Informatics and Telecommunication of University of Thessaly working on beyond 5G mobile networking architectures for immersive experience services. His research interests are in the area of 6G mobile networking protocols and architectures.
Ilias Chrysovergis holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering (EMCE) from the Polytechnic School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). He has also completed postgraduate studies (MSc) at Imperial College London in Telecommunications and Signal Processing. Since 2023, he has been a doctoral candidate in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications at the University of Thessaly, focusing on architectures in the metaverse for wireless communication systems.
Aris Karampelas Timotijevic received his BSc degree from the department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Thessaly in 2023 and his MSc degree in Modern Communication Systems and IoT in 2025 from the department of Digital System of the same university. He is a PhD candidate since 2025 at the department of Informatics and Telecommunications of University of Thessaly. His research interests rest in the areas of wireless communications, artificial intelligence and their intersections, especially in neuromorphic models.
Athanasios Kiousis received his BSc degree from the department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Thessaly in 2025.