The goal of reducing costs in broadband access service is clearly in line with ESA Telecom directives. Reducing this cost is possible by introducing more efficient technologies in both space and on the ground. The ultimate aim is to make both the quality and price of satellite telecom comparable to terrestrial networks.
The ESA Technical Directorate has organized the SPSC workshop every second year since 1988. It is sponsored by major key players in the field. The eighth annual SPSC workshop took place in Catania Italy, in the Etna Valley where many advanced technology industries are located including ST Microelectronics which co-sponsored the event. The goal of the workshop was to provide an international forum for the presentation and discussion of recent advances and new applications of digital signal processing techniques for space communications.
Over 140 participants from the USA, Canada and throughout Europe met for the three-day workshop from 24 to 26 September. It was organized by the Payload Systems Division of ESA and hosted by the University of Catania. The programme was also complemented by a number of tutorials from global experts in various fields.
The workshop was an opportunity for industry to meet and develop a greater understanding of current innovations in satellite telecommunications such as new digital technologies and multimedia services.
Journalists from local and national television attended the Satellite UMTS demo exploiting the ESA van and the Artemis L-band payload which was fully operational throughout the workshop.
