Description
The objective of this activity is to implement and test the signal processing portion of a 5G LEO satellite payload capable of handling several high throughput beams assuming an active antenna configuration. The demonstrator shall be based on a processor capable of controlling a reconfigurable beam-forming network (BFN) and performing signal (re-)generation andchannelisation of 5G waveforms. Targeted Improvements: Enable 5G regenerative payload functionalities currently not available. Description:The number of 5G subscriptions is estimated to reach 3.5 billion by the end of 2026. In this context, providing a truly ubiquitous coverage (even when traveling on cruises, high-speed trains and airplanes) whilst ensuring appropriate quality of service requires a tight integration between satellite and terrestrial networks. While geo-stationary satellites are well suited for covering very large areas with a limited number of satellites, they do not provide an optimal global interactive broadband connectivity due to their large delays and relatively high beam footprint on ground. For this type of service, constellations of hundreds or thousands of satellites in low orbit are preferred thanks to their lower latency and ability to provide higher overall system throughput. In order to achieve the ambitious targets expected by 5G New Radio (e.g., very high data rates, resources flexibility, mesh connectivity and rapid adaptation to traffic variations), these LEO payloads must rely on advanced technologies like phased array antennas, optical inter-satellite links and on-board regeneration. While solutions for on-board regeneration with DVB or CCSDS waveforms already exist, these cannot be exploited for the required integration of the space segment within the 5G ecosystem. This activity shall design and validate the main signal processing components for advanced satellite payloads providing 5G broadband connectivity. Specifically, the focus shall be put on developing the following components:1) High-speed modems capable of (re-)generating 5G waveforms with multiple Gbps of aggregated throughput.2) The on-board processor including switching/routing and control paths to connect the modems to the BFN to send/receive the signals to/from the different beam direction. The testbed shall be composed of the regenerative processor plus the appropriate ground support equipment to perform functional and performance verification of the developed payload components, including functionally representative building blocks of the payload front-end. As a minimum, this shall include a beam-forming network capable of generating multiple beams and capable of controlling hundreds of phased array feeds. It shall also be capable of verifying performance at system level (capacity) and link level (BER, FER, throughput) by simulating the impact of the components not developed within the testbed (e.g. antenna).