AdvanCed RF and high-speed intercONNeCts for futurE boaRd-to-board space soluTiOnsbroad
CONNCERTO · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-06-01–2029-05-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-CL4-2025-02 · scheme HORIZON-RIA · topic HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-73. CORDIS record →
Objective
CONNCERTO will strengthen Europe’s non-dependence in space electronics by developing, demonstrating under relevant conditions, and preparing the qualification of ITAR-free connector technologies for next-generation payloads and constellations. The project focuses on three families: high-frequency RF (Ka→W band), solderless board-to-board for DC/RF, and high-data-rate board-to-board (≥56 Gbps). It targets TRL 5-6 and delivers an EPPL/ESCC-ready qualification package. The project gathers a European multidisciplinary consortium with recognised expertise and past successful collaborations. Radiall (coord.) leads R&D, detailed design and prototyping of the SAFIR (RF) and NAOS (solderless) concepts. Thales Alenia Space France secures end-user requirements, runs architecture trade-offs, and manages signal-integrity/mechanical integration. UPV designs and fabricates representative PCB demonstrators and performs RF/SI characterisation. RGM conducts environmental and functional testing, reliability assessment, and compiles the qualification dossier. Methods follow ECSS/ESA/ISO practices; results are validated on an integrated demonstrator representative of active-antenna front ends. Main achievements include prototype connectors, test datasets, design packages, a demonstrator acceptance report, and a complete qualification dossier. Among the main expected impacts are: a secure European supply of export-control-independent interconnects; higher payload performance and easier integration through wide-band RF and solderless solutions that cut parts, mass and AIT effort; faster uptake in LEO/MEO constellations and institutional missions via compatibility with OpenVPX and cPCI-SS; and durable EU market growth supported by a resilient value chain in France, Spain and Italy.
Beneficiaries (4)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIALL | FR | coordinator | €447,930 | |
| THALES ALENIA SPACE FRANCE SAS | FR | participant | €197,500 | |
| RGM SRL | IT | participant | €186,656 | |
| UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA | ES | participant | €154,500 |
Get the EU Defence Funding Calendar — free
The full calendar of open EU defence and dual-use funding calls, sorted by deadline, updated nightly. Delivered with DFM Analysis, our weekly briefing on who is funding what in European defence.
Or browse all open defence & dual-use calls on the funding calendar →
Defence Finance Monitor is an analytical and informational product. Grant data is official CORDIS; the paid Annual Professional subscription is handled on DFM Analysis.