Funding
This page displays the ARTES Invitation To Tenders (ITTs) which are published on ESA-STAR. If you are looking for a specific element select from the list provided and click on the Apply button to start the search and display the results.
Funding of the individual Prime or subcontractors, for ARTES Core Competitiveness and ARTES Applications activities, is subject to authorisation of the required ARTES budget by the related National Delegations. Therefore, bidding teams are requested to inform their National Delegation(s) of their intention to participate in funded activities already before submitting a proposal.
The official information platform for providing potential bidders all the relevant documentation and details concerning the intended and issued Invitations To Tender (ITTs) for Open Competitions and Direct Negotiations is ESA-STAR - managed and operated by the ESA Procurement Department.
POLYCHROMATIC LASER GUIDE STAR SYSTEM FOR OPTICAL FEEDER-LINKS (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 6C.019)
Objective: The objective of the activity is to develop a Polychromatic Laser Guide Star (PLGS) system to measure and compensate all wave-front distortions in an optical feeder links to terabit telecommunication satellites. This includes tip/tilt, or uplink beam wander, that is not directly measurable otherwise. Targeted Improvements: Being able to measure Tip/Tilt, in addition to higher orderwave-front aberrations, has a 75% improvement on the…
SPACE FOR LEVEL CROSSING SAFETY - EXPRO+
In August 2021, the European Union revealed plans for a Single European Railway Area (SERA) to connect the block and to meet carbone mission goals. The shift to rail transportation has been identified by policymakers as a key element in reaching carbon emission goals (carbon neutrality) by 2050, where about 11% of passengers and goods today are being transported by rail in Europe (e.g., through the elimination of short-haul flights).Increasing…
6G SATELLITE PRECURSOR - STERLING IN-ORBIT LABORATORY (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 3E.011)
The objective of the activity is to develop an in-orbit experiment where technologies and techniques that will be key for the role of satellites in 6G networks can be tested, validated and their performance measured. This includes very novel techniques such as AI-assisted dynamic spectrum allocation, AI-assisted dynamic service-based resource management, self-optimised air interface, characterisation of sub-THz transmission performance and nov…
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR DEFECTS AND AGEING EFFECTS IN HIGH VOLTAGE EPC AND PPU PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS (ARTES AT 5C.460) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and evaluate test samples in order to derive acceptance criteria of defects and ageing effects in high voltage printed circuit boards of Electronic Power Conversion (EPC) and Power Processing Units (PPUs) with voltages exceeding 500 V. Targeted Improvements: Establish acceptance criteria for defects and ageing effects for high voltage (>500 V) circuit boards not existing today. Descrip…
INTEGRATED MULTIPLE SWITCH-BEAM ARRAY ANTENNA FOR RESILIENT COMMUNICATION LINK M2M/IOT APPLICATIONS (ARTES AT 7C.071) (RE-ISSUE OF AO1-11176)
The objective of the activity is to develop, manufacture and test a prototype of a multiple switch-beam array antenna aiming to provide resilient communication with non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems at Ku or Ka band. Targeted Improvements: Comparedto a phased array antenna, reduction up to 50% of number of components of the beamforming network, and reduction of DC power of up to 30%. Description: M2M/IoT terminals connecting thr…
ON-FIELD RECONFIGURABLE NOTCH FILTER FOR SUB-6GHZ INTERFERENCE MITIGATION (ARTES SPL 5G/6G 7A.071) (RE-ISSUE 1-11250)
The objective of the activity is to design, build and test a C-Band reconfigurable notch filter breadboard able to dynamically reject sub-6GHz interferers. Targeted Improvements: Simplifying the operation of C-Band VSATs and enabling real-time suppression of 5G interferers. Description: Since 2019, terrestrial network operators have initiated the mass deployment of 5G cellular base stations in many countries around the world. However, part of…
ULTRA DEEP SUBMICRON ASSESSMENT FOR ON-BOARD DIGITAL PROCESSORS (ARTES AT 5C.443)
The objective of the activity is to assess 7 nm FinFET technology (or smaller due to foundry process optimisations) for its use in telecommunication digital signal processors in the space environment. Targeted Improvements:- performance (logic density) multiplied by 4 compared to the current 28 nm generation;- power consumption per GHz of processed capacity divided by 2 to 3.Description: The latest very high throughput satellite systems are em…
DIGITAL PREDISTORTION TECHNIQUES FOR BEAMFORMING AND INTERMODULATION IMPROVEMENT OF ACTIVE ANTENNAS (ARTES AT 5C.458) (RE-ISSUE)
The objective of the activity is to develop and test efficient broadband digital pre-distortion algorithms and architectures for payloads utilising digital processors. The developed concept shall be implemented in a combined RF and digital processor test-bed. Tests in a laboratory environment will be carried out to fully evaluate the performance improvements. Targeted Improvements:- 10-15% improvement of payload capacity/throughput- 30% higher…
DIGITAL TWIN SUPPORTED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF DIELECTRIC FILTERS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.493)
Objective: The objective of the activity is to design and develop compact dielectric filters for C-, Ku or Ka-band applications. This shall include the development of a multiphysics digital twin modelling the manufacturing process of the dielectric resonators in order to maximise the manufacturing yield and reduce the design time. At least three dielectric filter breadboards shall be manufactured, experimentally tested and compared against the…
DEMONSTRATION OF EFFICIENT VERSATILE VIDEO CODEC UP TO 8K OVER IP AND DVB-S2X (ARTES AT 7B.064) (RE-ISSUE)
The objective of this activity is to develop a DVB-S2X test-bed of adaptive bit rate IP based video delivery for up to 8K services quality high frame rate, using the new Versatile Video Codec (VVC) H.266. Targeted Improvements: The use of VVC can reduce the bandwidth needed up to 50%. This bandwidth reduction can be an enabler for 8K, leveraging the growing installed base of 8K displays and the existing satellite video broadcasting infrastruct…
IAP.KS.FJ.000 THE FUTURE OF JOURNALISM - OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSAL
The objective of this Kick Start is to analyse the technical and economic feasibility of new services and solutions related to the journalism, reporting and the media. Ideas can fall under the topics of CONNECTIVITY AND QUICK CONTENT DELIVERY PLATFORMS, IMMERSIVE MEDIA AND NEW PERSPECTIVES, INDEPENDENT CREATORS AND WEARABLE TECHNOLOGIES, and STORIES FROM ABOVE. The services/solutions put forward should involve at least one type of space asset…
TRUSTED PLATFORM MODULE FOR SMALLSAT PLATFORMS (RE-ISSUE)
Objective: The objective of the activity is to design, develop and test a reduced scaled engineering model for an onboard trusted platform module (TPM) in order to support security features in small satellite telecom systems. Targeted Improvements: Enabling a built-in route of trust providing security and privacy features for small satellite telecom systems. Description: In an increasingly digital world, security and privacy concerns are becom…
TELECOMSAT GREEK CONNECTIVITY PROGRAMME ITT
The satellite(s) to be developed via the present ITT are Telecom satellite(s) offering a 24/7 governmental services over Europe and Greece. This satellite(s) will operate in X-bands. The project will have to also include the Satellite Control Centre SW (upgrade), the launch and the in-orbit commissioning including the calibration of the Satellite(s). For the Geographical Return, the project should maximize the local content with a target of 35…
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING BUILDING BLOCKS FOR SATELLITE INTERNET OF THINGS COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES AT 6B.057) (RE-ISSUE)
Objective: The objective of the activity is to develop, implement and verify core digital signal processing (DSP) sub-modules for Satcom Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) transceivers. The DSP cores shall be bit-true implemented for a set of commercially available hardware platforms. Targeted Improvements: Enabling core DSP sub-modules development for standard hardware platforms. Such a library does not exist today and will…
HIGHLY INTEGRATED BEAMFORMING NETWORKS FOR GOVERNMENTAL X-BAND APPLICATIONS (ARTES 4.0 4S SPL 5C.482)
The objective of the activity is to pack in a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) the many separate ICs that are currently used in the hybrid approach to RX/TX beamforming in X band. The single chip solution will replace the hybrid approach, in a move similar to what happened in Ku/Ka and Q bands. Targeted improvements: Increased degree of integration thanks to implementation in Si/SiGe technology: 50% reduction of mass and size, vo…
SECURE AND APPLICATION-SELECTIVE MULTICASTING IN MULTI-LAYER SATELLITE CONSTELLATION NETWORKS (ARTES 4.0 4S SPL 3A.180)
The objectives of the activity are the design, development and demonstration of secure multicasting, routing and secure group management protocols in satellite constellation networks involving thousands of NonGEO and GEO satellites. Targeted improvements: Increased user traffic plane efficiency (30%) and allow for a more secure user traffic plane. Description: Synchronisation of Content Delivery Network (CDN) edges, data centres, blockchain le…
HYBRID MECHANICAL ELECTRONIC SCANNING ANTENNA FOR USER TERMINALS COMPATIBLE WITH HIGH VOLUME PRODUCTION (ARTES AT 7B.068)
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a hybrid mechanical electronic scanning antenna for satcom user terminals suitable for LEO satcom systems. The antenna shall be compatible with high volume production. The design will focus on lowering complexity in comparison to fully electronically scanning antennas achieving sufficient functionality without over designing.Targeted Improvements:Enabling a hybrid electronic mech…
Q/V-BAND DUAL-POLARISED WAVEGUIDE ROTARY JOINT (ARTES AT 5C.468) (RE-ISSUE)
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a dual-polarised waveguide rotary joint for Q- and V-band steerable feeder link antennas.Targeted Improvements:Enabling technology for dual-polarised and dual-frequency Q- and V-band mechanical steerable antennas for future low/medium Earth orbit telecommunication satellite constellations and geostationary satellite gateway linksDescription:Waveguide RF rotary joints are essentia…
SMALL SATELLITE DESIGN GUIDELINE ENABLING MULTI LAUNCH FROM HEAVY LIFT LAUNCH VEHICLES (ARTES AT 4H.005) (RE-ISSUE)
The objective of the activity is to develop and evaluate by test a design guideline for Small Satellites (>50 kg and <150 kg) that allow efficient stacking inside large launch vehicle fairing. The design guideline will allow common design approaches for compatibility with heavy launch vehicles and demonstrate high volume packing efficiency. Targeted Improvements: Creating a European satellites tacking solution capable of accommodating mo…
TECHNIQUES FOR EXPLOITING MULTI-SATELLITE DIVERSITY IN LARGE LOW EARTH ORBIT CONSTELLATIONS (ARTES 4.0 AT 3C.042)
The objective of the activity is to develop and test techniques for exploiting multi-satellite diversity on the forward and return user links of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations when user terminals have two or more satellites in visibility. The techniques will be implemented in a software testbed to fully evaluate the improvement of user terminal peak data rate and outage probability.Targeted Improvements: An average of 50% improvement in…
NOISE SHAPING TECHNIQUES FOR ACTIVE PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA APPLICATIONS (ARTES AT 5C.462) (RE-ISSUE)
The objective of the activity is to develop and test noise shaping techniques capable of improving the signal to noise ratio up to 20 dB for payloads with on-board processors and active phased array antennas. A test-bed representing critical elements of a payload implementing noise shaping will be developed and performances evaluated, including the development of noise shaping algorithms and their digital implementation. Targeted Improvements:…
KICK-START THEMATIC CALL CONNECTED AGRICULTURE - OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSAL
The purpose of this activity is to analyse the technical and business viability of space-based services which play a key role in the development of Connected Agriculture services (defined as per the topics indicated below). The services proposed by the Contractor in the context of the present activity can leverage on the integration of space-based data together with other datasets, such as aerial imagery, in-situ data and data from other sourc…
AUTONOMOUS LASER SAFETY SYSTEM FOR OPTICAL FEEDER LINK SUPPORTING OPTICAL AND QUANTUM COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 6B.114)
Objective: The objective of the activity is to develop and test a laser safety system for Optical Feeder Link (OFL) operations based on AI/ML techniques. The activity shall emphasise on airspace safety measures to handle uplink operations with significant opticalpower. The safety system shall be capable to operate autonomously. Implementation shall be based on commercially available hardwareplatforms. The activity will also provide the testbed…