Projects

Development of critical technologies that are needed for the implementation of VDE-SAT on small platforms such as cubesats or microsatellites, characterized with limited resources and system budget constraints.

The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a TT&C diplexer at S-Band for small sat applications with a reduced volume and mass.

The QUICOPTSAT project is investigating the effectiveness of the recently standardised QUIC transport protocol when used over satellite networks. The project develops an update to enable QUIC to provide similar performance to that achievable with TCP PEP (Performance Enhanced Proxy) based solutions. The performance benefit is demonstrated using commercial satellite services.

An optimized QUIC protocol for SatCom.

The ML4OC project aims to explore and demonstrate machine learning (ML) models which address specific challenges in space-to-ground optical acquisition systems and novel optical space network optimisation.

This study posits a design and delivery solution for a multi-orbital layered satellite constellation, researching capability gains exploiting a cross-vertical space segment. It discusses technology and economic freedoms and constraints, and identifies markets aligned to a multi layered satcom solution.

Satellite communications networks are critical infrastructure that are prone to interference, impairments, and other effects that impact their ability to deliver robust and reliable service. Qoherent is developing machine learning based radiofrequency impairment classifiers for improving satellite communications network operations.

The DAWN project investigates network control, management and orchestration algorithms to enable data-driven SatCom network and resources management and configuration in future integrated satellite-terrestrial networks. This includes data mining and analysis to optimize the performance of both the radio access and the network.

DINoS5G project has developed an end-to-end platform from integration of High Throughput Satellite (HTS) system and 5G terrestrial infrastructure, enabling communications for an advanced diagnostic service in the railway environment. The platform provides communication interfaces to applications for real-time monitoring and “smart” predictive maintenance services of the railway infrastructure.

Neuromorphic computers are non-von Neumann computers whose structure and function are inspired by brains and are therefore composed of neurons and synapses. They have enormous potential for many different applications. In this project we explore and understand the current state-of-the-art of Neuromorphic Processor hardware and software technologies and assess their applicability to space applications.

The objective of the ESA project AIComS is to develop AI/ML-based SW/HW platforms for future products of an integrated satellite and 5G&beyond communication network. It focusses on the development of ML-based 5G NR physical layer components and investigates different functional splits. Furthermore, 5G&beyond compliant ML-based routing, network slicing, and security components will be investigated. The 3GPP 5G specifications are tracked for these developments.

The 5G-EMERGE develops an integrated satellite and terrestrial online delivery ecosystem to enable high-quality and efficient content distribution services. It encompasses a hybrid and fully native IP infrastructure to deploy edges in both 5G and non 5G-network head-ends, home networks and networks in vehicles. The 3GPP 5G specification is used as convergence technology. 

The MARINA project aims to compare the performance of DVB-S2x/RCS2 and 5G-NR NTN protocols when deploying broadband satellite services from geostationary (GEO) orbits in the higher frequency bands (.i.e., FR2). The achieved results are contributed to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) work item "Comparison of DVB-S2x/RCS2 and 3GPP 5G-NR NTN-based systems for broadband satellite communication systems" led by the TC-SES/SCN working group.

The Unified Communication Services Manager (UCSM) is a Pooling & Sharing Solution for safe/secure SATCOM-centric communication services. UCSM targets the community of IGO/NGO and private-sector users as well as commercial & governmental providers.

The project designed and developed the core components of this expert system / service broker. It paved the way for future tailoring and operationalisation on various scales, ranging from “single-provider, multiple user” to “multiple-provider, multiple-user, international deployment”.

A clear tendency of convergence of communication and sensing can be observed in the frame of 5G, beyond 5G and 6G. This offers a unique opportunity for the space industry, in particular in combination with the ongoing softwarisation (software defined networks, network functions virtualisation, cloud-based internet services etc.) to revolutionize Earth Observation and communication satellite payloads. The opportunity for change and improvement is similar and can be compared to the emergence and success of the all-purpose computers and data centers that opened up completely new efficiency dimensions and economies of scale.

In particular, the 5GEOSiS team sees the sharing and convergence (commonalisation) of the processing – yielding to the joint processing – between the Earth Observation and sensing part of a satellite payload, and the communication part of the payload that is something that can be and shall be considered immediately focusing on the dynamic on demand reallocation – repurposing – of payload resources.

Bx-WiFi technology enables broadcasting of uninterrupted audio or video content from multiple sources to thousands of smartphone or tablet devices, all connected to Wi-Fi access points, while simultaneously providing general internet access.

The astronomical Observatory at Skinakas, located at the Greek island of Crete, will be upgraded to an Optical Ground Station (OGS). The instrumentation for optical and quantum (QKD) telecommunication with LEO satellites will be designed and developed. 22SkinUp aims to evolve the technology that will lead to a national OGS network.

Designing and developing an ESA-community open-source satellite mission and communications analysis tool to be able to tackle the current issues that the industry faces efficiently. This project is expanded and built around a community, and its aim is to become a robust and trustworthy solution for the industry.

The objective of project DISCO is the development of a compact S-band diplexer with 30 MHz channels bandwidth and with 60% and 50% of volume/mass reduction in comparison to the state of the art. Engineering Models (EM) are planned to be designed, manufactured and tested experimentally. The target TRL is 6.

Project AO-RETINA is targeting advancement in optical ground stations (OGS) and in a free-space optical communication system. Unlike traditional OGS, beam tracking and data acquisition are both implemented using a single, long wavelength avalanche photodiode based receiver which enables high sensitivity operation up to 10 Gbps.
 

The satellite broadcast market is under pressure.OTT is taking market share from DTH. Density and ease of use is more and more a requirement However, there are opportunities for innovative products that support the high-level quality standards of the satellite broadcast market as well as the upcoming OTT market.

This ESA project is managed by TRAD with the collaboration of ONERA, OHB, AIRBUS and Thales Alenia Space. The goal of this project is to provide a new proton environment model and a new calculation tool in order to provide a better modelling of solar array degradation for the typical telecommunication satellite applications experiencing an EOR radiation environment.

The future will be driven by data and our world powered by making data accessible to all. This project introduces the first IoT and SATCOM Education kit to classrooms throughout Europe, engaging young minds through hands-on learning and real-world scenarios. The objective is to ensure that the next generation has the skills to work, innovate and thrive in the fourth industrial revolution.

Over 90% of international trade and millions of passengers worldwide rely on marine transportation. However, illegal fishing, smuggling, oil theft, and piracy pose a direct challenge to marine transportation. The Maritime Awareness Services system fuses multiple data-sources ranging from Earth Observation, SAR, Radio Frequency and AIS and applies ML models to support insurance compliance officers, marine security and search and rescue end users with enhanced dark vessel detection, identification and route predictions at an order of magnitude better than current alternative systems.

The INT-UQKD project, led by RHEA Systems Luxembourg S.A., aims to develop and validate an integrated satellite terrestrial end-to-end secure quantum key distribution (QKD) system for various security critical business applications. The project includes numerous demonstrations spanning globally across multiple continents.

The aim of this ARTES ATLAS project is to develop and demonstrate the functionality and performance a frequency and modulation flexible telecommand receiver with a CAN Bus, on the Eutelsat Konnect satellite. 

The objective of the project is to develop and validate AI-based signal processing techniques for satellite telecommunications such as signal identification, spectrum monitoring, spectrum sharing, signal demodulation etc. using Off-the-Shelf AI accelerator(s). This includes the development of a laboratory testbed to validate and demonstrate the developments in both on-ground and on-board scenarios.

Optimize the pointing and acquisition of the optical inter-satellite link in such a way that the ISL for ranging and data can be completed within a time frame of < 40 seconds. Maximize ranging accuracy and time and frequency transfer performance of the inter-satellite link.

Within this project a magnetic brake is designed, built and tested, which provides holding torque without mechanic contact and without constant energy consumption. The brake has no tribological layer and generates no debris. It is designed and tested in vacuum in a temperature span from -45°C to +100 °C. Locking / releasing the brake requires only a short current pulse.

Development of a competitive Miniature Release Actuator, having a preload capability of more than 1 kN, optimised for the use on small satellites.

The Digital Modem is a high-end SDR platform with 100 Gbit/s RF over IP interface running on a COTS server and FPGA acceleration hardware.

An application supported by the platform is a high-end DVB-S2X modem supporting user data rates up to 7 Gbit/s.

CELEOS provides a cutting-edge channel emulator solution that boasts remarkable capabilities, all while maintaining an affordable price point. This is achieved through the strategic use of Software Defined Radio technology, which is readily accessible in the market.

The objective of ESA NGSO-Sense projects is to develop a ground terminal prototype, as well as the measurement procedure, for detecting and identifying interference; and measuring Radio Frequency (RF) characteristics from a NGSO satellite network.

Enabling performance-based data routing for large constellations with inter-satellite links, not existing today.

CASSIS aims at globally connecting ‘users on the move’ to the internet at high speed and low cost. The technology developed on this activity consists of a low-profile electronically steerable antenna for LEO, which aims ato provide SATCOMs on the move, at high frequency, bandwidth and throughput, for low-cost and production scalability in the automotive sector.

Beyond Gravity Sweden (BGS) C- and Ku-band converters and receivers have a proven commercial success for many years, but due to customer demands of smaller products, shorter lead times and lower cost, this activity targets the RF chain for the next generation of the BGS converter and receiver family. 

In an increasingly data-driven global society, Free Space Optical Communication, FSOC, is a key technology, overcoming the bandwidth bottleneck of radio technology. The market for a widespread exploitation of FSOC requires 24/7 operability of reliable optical channels. ALASCA project aims to prove the effectiveness of 24/7 optical feeder links with Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics to solve the Point-Ahead problem.

The objective of the activity is to design, develop and test methodologies and algorithms supporting trade-off analysis, performance evaluation, and operational concept of large non-geostationary constellations for commercial and secure communications. 

The methodologies and algorithms developed shall be applied and tested in a software simulation on a satellite constellation for commercial and secure services.

The performed activity is in response to an imminent market need for Agile Converters for Ka/IF and Q- and V-band, of which the proposed Agile synthesized LO and digital gain control (DCLO – Digital Control & LO) module is a key part. The DCLO is a generic function that is intended to be used in different applications, especially converters and receivers interfacing payload processors at different frequencies.

The NODES project regards the development of a ground network for space to ground data transfer using optical communication, to solve the data bottleneck resulting from the continuously increased need of downlink capacity of foremost Earth Observation satellites. The network is composed of a network management centre and optical ground stations to allow high volume data transfers efficiently.