COST EFFECTIVE VDE-SAT USER TERMINAL AND GROUND COMPONENT VALIDATION PLATFORM (ARTES 5.1 7C.037)

Description

The objective of this activity is to design cost-effective VHF satellite user terminals for maritime applications and two different profiles of Receive-only and Receive-Transmit terminals. To validate access schemes for VDE-SAT compatible with the upcoming VHF data exchange (VDE) standard.

Targeted improvements: Promoting digital data exchange via newly assigned maritime VHF channels to achieve spectral efficiency significantly (at least two times) higher than the current data rate of digital maritime channels such as AIS. Providing reference design for VDE transmitter and receiver protocols to ARTES member states. Develop a working prototype of two user terminal profiles on board of vessels: receive only and receive-transmit.

Description:

The preparation of new ITU recommendation for maritime VHF Data Exchange (VDE) is planned for the World Radio Conference 2015. The VHF link to and from satellites is an integral part of the overall VDE System. The development and validation of high performing, feasible and viable VDE-SAT specification as well as cost effective solution of VDE-SAT user terminals are critical elements in the adoption of such system.

The proposed activity is aimed to design and validate a access scheme for maritime VHF multi-access via satellite that can reuse the already existing VHF antennas on-board the vessels. The activity also targets the development of cost effective solutions for two user terminal profiles on board of vessels: receive only and receive-transmit.

The constraints imposed by the antenna on board of the vessels and the coexistence of other maritime communication channels in the adjacent frequencies makes the design of the satellite broadcasting system a challenging task. Considering potential mission concepts based on LEO/MEO satellites, the aim is to devise an efficient access scheme that allows for efficient use of the satellite link coexisting with all terrestrial services such as AIS and terrestrial VHF data exchange systems.

The work would start with the consolidation of requirements for VHF data exchange by taking into account system scenarios for both satellite access and co-existing services (such as the existing AIS or voice communication channels).

The activity will aim at investigating techniques at the physical layer, data link layer to facilitate the detection of messages transmitted by vessels taking into account realistic mission concepts.

Selected techniques shall be complemented by a thorough simulation campaign to establish a quantitative assessment of the overall proposed solution under a realistic channel models followed by prototyping of the two profiles of satellite user terminal. The profiles could be implemented as a software defined radio in a representative testbed.

Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and R&D entities in ESA programmes".

Tender Specifics