Description
The objective of this activity is to proof that a standardised existing solution such as NB-IOT can be used for satellite-to-satellite low data rate communications. Targeted Improvements: Introduce world's first standardised intersatellite data relay solution based on 3GPP NTN standards, opening up a new market for new companies and telecom operators toprovide data solutions to Earth Observation missions via intersatellite data relay. Description: This activity will take as a baseline the various NB-IoT NTN developments in industry and implement a data relay solution (LEO-GEO, LEO-MEO or higher LEO-lower LEO) based on these standards. The intention is to exploit the already existing GEO based NB IoT service providers (e.g., Inmarsat, Skylo, Echostar), that provide services to ground services, and use them to provide a connection to a LEO embarked NB-IoT user terminal. The activity will include an initial assessment of the system architecture and different trade-off between regulatory constraints, frequencies, data relay use cases and variations to the standardised air interfaces shall be made. A prototype of the NB-IoT NTN data relay user terminal modem shall be implemented and embarked on a small satellite, which would use a GEO based relay to interface with the corresponding eNB on ground.Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_En…