Ku-band Multimedia in Vehicles is the next medium for Europeans to enjoy radio and multimedia content. It will be available anywhere in Europe and at anytime. It is a technologically advanced system that can offer a wide variety of attractive services to users. The system is highly efficient and for European industry partners willing to develop it, Ku-band Multimedia in Vehicles represents a low-risk with a low capital expenditure.
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The explosive growth of satellite digital radio means that it is already reaching over 13 million listeners in the USA. This proposed system from ESA and industrial partners will bring the benefit of satellite radio to the European automotive market. Differing significantly from its existing commercial counterparts, the ESA developed system can potentially provide not only traditional radio services, but also multimedia content (image right) to drivers across Europe. |
Broadcasting over a larger area and to large audiences cost-effectively, the mobile multimedia to cars system can be implemented without requiring an investment in new satellite launches or the deployment of terrestrial repeaters. It offers a highly efficient, low-investment and low-risk approach to the provision of satellite radio services to the automotive consumer market.
Background
Work on the system was begun in 2001 when two feasibility studies were awarded, one to Alcatel Alenia Space and the other to ND Satcom. In 2003, an Invitation To Tender was issued and later that year awarded to SES-ASTRA for a Mobile Ku Band Receive only demonstrator.
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Led by SES-ASTRA, a project team was created to cover the many aspects needed to successfully build the demonstrator. The other members of the team (image left) included: Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT), Dornier Consulting, Fraunhofer (FhG), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR), Technical University of Braunschweig, TRIAGNOSYS, BMW and Deutsche Welle. |
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Their efforts culminated in the construction of a working demonstrator vehicle (image right). The demonstrator vehicle underwent a series of week-long field trials. The first took place near Munich Germany. In August of 2006 the second series were conducted near Copenhagen Denmark. |
The field trials confirmed that connectivity rates as high as 90% could be maintained while travelling on motorways and 80% in sub-urban, rural and urban areas. While on the go, the system was able to transmit file sizes from 200kB to 25MB with up to 99%reliability. These trials not only proved that the concept was workable but gave the team the opportunity to fine tune the system.
Similarly, two projects were started to further the development of the all-important antenna. (See related links for more information) They are:
- NATALIA: Fully electronic receive antenna development from IMST)
- HISAT: Hybrid (Mechanical and electronic) receive antenna development from JAST
How it works
One difficulty satellite broadcasting has is that the transmission can be blocked by mountains, high buildings, even tall trees. The concept proposed by ESA avoids this problem by using a cache. Broadcasts are received and then stored in a cache for playback. During moments when the Line-of-Sight (LOS) is interrupted, the broadcast is retrieved from the cache, providing an uninterrupted service. The aforementioned field trails confirmed all LOS prediction. Automobilists could even customise the content to suit their own tastes or needs. Recent developments in processing power and the ever decreasing cost of memory mean that the cache will have nearly limitless amount capacity.
With the development of the caching concept the second challenge was to reduce the size of the antenna to conform to the aesthetic demands of European vehicle manufacturers. Current antennas are as large as 80 cm in diameter and 12 cm high; but European vehicle manufacturers have established that consumers desire smaller less obtrusive antennas.
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The size of these must therefore be brought down to (image left) 20 cm in diameter and only 4 cm high for the JAST antenna or 2 cm for the IMST antenna. The antenna could even be built into the roof of a vehicle so as to be entirely flush. |
Currently two antenna designs are under development; one by a team headed by JAST of Switzerland and the other from a team led by German company IMST. The antennas will be a fully steerable hybrid mechanical-electronical array of the correct dimensions. The antennas will be able to scan a full 360º at azimuths of 25º to 60º in elevation. This is sufficient for pointing to any satellite from anywhere in the world except the polar regions. Satellite tracking capabilities will also be included.
The two designs have already completed their baseline design. The JAST antenna will pass the testing phase before the end of 2007 when field testing of the prototype can begin. An industrial prototype will be ready by mid 2008. The cost of the antenna should be lower than one thousand euro. IMST expects to have their antenna completed by the end of 2008.
Applications for users
Too numerous to mention, applications for the system will be of great benefit to both industry and private citizens. Imagine updating your navigation software while embarking on a road trip through the Iberian Peninsula. Or listening to weather and traffic reports in your own language when abroad. Back at home, vehicle manufacturers will be able to update a car's software, eliminating the need for expensive recalls.
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The user device (image right) will be small and can fit right on the dashboard. Because the system can not only receive radio broadcast but multimedia content as well, movies, web pages and a seemingly infinite range of applications can be run. Connecting an MP3 player or a mobile phone will add even more versatility. |
Better than XM or Sirius?
Ku-band Multimedia in Vehicles compares well with both Sirius and XM radio. A key difference lays in the fact that the ESA system will use the existing satellite infrastructure and thus avoid the roughly 1 billion US dollar investment needed to start up each of the two North American systems. As the ESA proposed system develops and its client base grows, new transponders can be added at marginal costs.
A conservative estimate of the cost reveals that on a price per kilobit, the ESA proposed system is as much as four time less expensive that the two North Amerrican based systems. Flexibility is also integral to the ESA system, which includes not just crystal clear audio across Europe, but also video, data transfer pages and software updating.
Challenges to industry
The advent of multimedia to vehicles via satellite in Europe will urge content providers to further innovate, as highlighted by Mr Wilfried Runde of Deutsche Welle: "Developments like multimedia to cars via satellite serve to prove that the media landscape is changing. Along with broadcasters, content providers will have to adapt our work flows and serve a multitude of platforms to come up with something useful for users." With a commercial roll out possible within a few years, it is vitally important that industry plan for the coming opportunities.
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Not just content providers but other industry partners should look to the future as major opportunities open up. As stated on 25 January 2007, by Mr Rolv Midthassel, ESA Technical Officer responsible for the project, during the announcement of the opportunity: "We've developed a fully realisable demonstrator offering attractive services, high efficiency, both low investment and low cost while still being technologically advanced. But it is still a demonstrator. It is now up to industry to turn this demonstrator into a commercial success." |
"A full consumer version will require some miniaturisation, content providers must be encouraged to contribute and the public must be made aware of the potential. The benefits and challenges to any potential industrial partner are not insignificant. They won't be alone though, ESA can offer 50% funding plus our years of technical expertise in this field."
Highlights
Ku-Band for Multimedia to Vehicles will mean a different way of looking at media. This page is dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on the latest developments, antenna progress, appearances by the demonstrator vehicle and more.
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The demonstrator vehicle made its first public appearance at ESA/ESTEC (image right) Noordwijk the Netherlands. Based on a BMW platform, the vehicle is fully functional with the ability to receive Ku-band transmissions. It is currently equipped with a large, expensive high power antenna, which is to be replaced by the much slimmer and lower cost antennas from JAST and IMST. The demonstrator has successfully completed field trials in Copenhagen Denmark and Munich Germany. |
For more on the demonstrator vehicle, the opportunity on offer, or the technology behind this advanced concept, click under related links at the right of this page.
all images ESA
