Projects

The European Medical Network (EMN) has
been formed to create a distance-learning service for the medical professions in Europe. The EMN platform includes at its core a menu-driven digital satellite broadcast combined with an Internet service. The Pilot project has been launched in order to assess and verify the acceptance of the proposed service by the target groups, the operational and financial feasibility throughout the entire value chain and prepare for the build-up of an operational service.

The Mobile Web Services Framework plans
to deliver a product prototype comprising a set of
standard web services, which can be deployed on any
type of mobile satellite user terminal. The standard
services include network performance testing services, a
web cam service, a field data retrieval service and a
GPS service. Additional web services can be created
within the framework, using specific APIs for tight
integration with the satellite modem and other devices
deployed. A field validation campaign will be executed
using a mobile web server connected to the Inmarsat RBGAN
terminals.

The MultiMED project is designed around
the concept of providing remote access to the high
fidelity medical simulation services at the Bristol Medical
Simulation Centre (BMSC). In addition to providing
indirect and direct access to the simulator itself,
MultiMED adds several layers of context-sensitive
information, database and news resources which
combine to provide a high quality education and training
product suite.

Health Information Services, brand name Telesana, is a television- and IP-based information platform addressing patients in waiting rooms and doctors in surgeries. Based on two different service
versions (Telesana Live Patients and Telesana
Professional), the Health Information Services use
satellite communication to reach both target groups - patients and doctors - with a mixed content stream of DVB and IP.

The objective of this project is the definition and development of a universal integrated Ku-band transceiver (CR 1216L), which will be compliant to the Sat Lab specifications.

The SkyLAN concept consists in splitting functions usually performed by a single large telecommunication satellite among a number of co-located and interlinked smaller satellites. In other words, SkyLAN is a cluster of relatively small satellites that perform an integrated function through a coordinated exchange of information via Inter-Satellite links (ISL).

The project objective is to design and manufacture VSAT Waveguide Lens Antennas (WGLA) for the Ku-satellite band, 10.75-14.50 GHz.

The main objective of the project was to perform a Delta Qualification Programme of Axially Grooved Heat Pipes (AGHPs) as requested in the ESA standard PSS-49 (TST-01) Issue 2 (March 2003). The main features of this AGHP technology were transferred from TAIS, Russia to IberEspacio.

The project DELOS intends to develop the IP-core which will offer an excellent opportunity to accelerate DVB-RCS market growth and remove any technological incompatibilities.

The project objectives are to define collocation requirements and station keeping strategies for geostationary satellites, develop a software tool and a GNCDE-compatible template in MATLAB, and to execute simulated test scenarios.

The objective of this activity is the definition and development of a universal integrated 2 watt Ku-band transceiver (KR 1216L) which will be compliant to the Sat Lab specifications.

The main objective of the study is to build and test as an EQM, a partial focal array fully representative in terms of RF, mechanical and thermal performances to the selected baseline solution.

The aim is to develop a new transport protocol for the satellite link, which makes it efficient to use satellites in internet-based networks or multimedia applications while maintaining compatibility with existing applications and networks.

The project aims to address the difficulties of carrying VoIP (Voice over IP) traffic over shared satellite services, especially DVB-RCS. It will result in a commercially saleable device which allows telecom operators to deploy a range of satellite-based commercial services.

Key main expected benefit is to be able to accommodate large propellant tank for heavy missions without the need to use Electric propulsion onboard.

The objective of this project is to develop frequency generating modules to EQM level. Four different Local Oscillator Modules were defined, ranging from 20MHz to 2.4GHz.

Within Step 3 of the project TEDG will improve the existing L-Band tube in the 150 W class which is used for the operational satellite system WORLSTAR. The main objectives are efficiency improvement, extending the power class up to 250 W output power, increase of the bandwidth and development of a radiation cooled version.

The objectives of this activity are to design, develop, and validate a modular and efficient radio access network simulator for third generation mobile satellite systems; to carry out simulation runs with a view to optimise the simulated system; and based on a thorough analysis of the simulation results, to contribute to the standardisation of the higher layer protocols involved.

The MultiSat system extends ESA's Mission Control system SCOS-2000. It provides the means required to support more than a single spacecraft per computing node at a given time.

The project objectives are the design, development and qualification of an EQM unit of the APSS -Active Pixel Sun Sensor, together with the definition of flight opportunities for the sensor.

The ADAMv2 project aims to extend the features of key components in DVB-RCS hubs. It also aims to provide a new key component: AMCS, which provides essential management and control functions within the hub.

The objectives of this project are the study and development of a new version of the InfraRed Earth Sensor IRES based on the extensive in flight experience of previous IRES NE ones.

The scope of the ACCESS 2 project is the enhancement of the system management tools as well as the functional and hardware integration of the DVB-RCS terminal and POP-router, both activities focusing on the cost reduction objective.

This development project envisages evolving the previously developed Burst Mode Demodulator, version 1 (BMD-V1), in order to provide the demodulation of a complete bandwidth of 20 MHz, independent of the configuration of the carriers within that bandwidth.

The objective of the project is to propose different axes to significantly lower the cost of COSPAS SARSAT beacons.

The purpose of the iSatTV project is to establish solid roots for the development of an operational satellite-based interactive TV solution to be successfully deployed in China.

The project objective is to develop an improved version of existing Infrared Earth Sensor (IRES) for GEO multimedia satellite application, named STD15S-mk2.This new IRES will be a variant of an already in flight 1553 version (onboard EUROSTAR3000 and EXPRESS-AM satellites).

The initiative is to deploy an advanced communications system based on a regenerative payload on board the AMAZONAS satellite.

ALUSAT aims to optimise the operation of 2-way satellite networks by enabling maintenance procedures which minimize operational costs caused by service failures. This will maximise network availability and end user satisfaction.

The objective of this project is the development and qualification of a new version of Remote Data and Interface Units (RDIU) enabling to respond to a larger range of telecommunication payloads in a cost effective manner.

The aim is to develop a new transport protocol for the satellite link, which makes it efficient to use satellites in internet-based networks or multimedia applications while maintaining compatibility with existing applications and networks.

TV Beyond 2000 is one of the activities in which ESA has acted in a consultancy capacity to the Vatican Television Centre with the aim of improving their worldwide multimedia service initiatives.

The main objective of this project is to validate a new decoding algorithm for the DVB-S standard and to check its practical feasibility and possible implementation alternatives.

Two parallel ESA studies have examined a lower-cost method of providing in-car European-wide satellite radio.

This project by Alcatel Alenia Space aims at developing a wideband highly integrated phase shifter up to an EQM with an EBB of the driver unit. This equipment will be one of the building blocks of next generation of flexible payloads.

The project objective is to develop a series of booster amplifiers in C- and Ku band and a 10W C band block upconverter designated for the market of VSAT applications such as communication networks, internet services at remote locations, and backbones for rural telephony etc.

Developments in the RF product area provide solutions for outdoor equipment in interactive satellite terminals and increase Alcatel's market share.

The activity consist of a prototype development, technical verification and validation of a satellite-based communication system for managing emergency situations involving the use of earth observation techniques.

The scope of the activity is to define the flight Thin Film Solar Cell Demonstration Module and to breadboard critical elements.

The project objective is to support the SatLabs working group recently set up to address the harmonisation of management and control planes of DVB-RCS, including the incorporation of a Connection Control Protocol (C2P).