Countries located in tropical climates are particularly interested in satellite communication systems, because they can provide telecommunication services to vast regions without the need to install large and costly terrestrial networks. The operation of current satellite multimedia communication systems is moving to Ka-, Q/V- and W-band. However, those frequency bands are severely affected by the atmospheric propagation of electromagnetic waves.
The accuracy of atmospheric and channel models is critical for the design of satellite communication systems, with the actual performance of propagation models for higher frequencies in tropical regions still not being reliably assessed.

The climatic difference to moderate climate can affect several design propagation parameters, including gaseous, cloud and rain attenuation, sky noise emission, site diversity, fade duration and fade slope. The propagation models currently recommended by the ITU-R for global predictions are based on empirical assumptions and on the use of Earth Observation or Numerical Weather Prediction data that cannot provide the same resolution (both in time and space) and accuracy as achievable through direct measurements.

The propagation experiments at these bands are the base for developing accurate propagation models to improve the utilization of the propagation impairments mitigation techniques (PIMTs), such as uplink power control (UPC), adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) and link diversity, which require the knowledge of first and second order statistics of rain attenuation.
The propagation campaign presented in this activity aims to assess the accuracy of current prediction models with focus on rain attenuation and to improve the models for second order statistical parameters such as fade slope, fade duration and site diversity gain.

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

This project deals with the development and qualification of the next generation of Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) based on 28nm ASIC and optical high speed serial links technologies. Such DTPs will be able to process up to 2500 MHz useful band per access and to present high modularity for offering total capacity compatible of applications ranging from FSS/BSS, HTS & V-HTS needs.

The project focuses on developing a simulator, for analyzing interference scenarios related to Non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems. The main objective of this simulator will be to test and validate satellite system designs, including mitigation techniques, against various interference scenarios in which NGSO constellations and/or GSO satellites operate, with the definition of interference mitigation strategies, aimed at enable the coexistence of different systems in the same frequency bands.

This activity focuses on the design of a Q/V-Band gateway antenna that can be scaled in the range 7 to 13 meters for future Feeder Link gateways.

SATBETT-5G aims to develop an integrated set of consultancy, prototyping and certification services in the context of 5G private mobile networks over satellite. The long-term goal is the commercial offer of a network-as-a-service platform, driven by the virtualization of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks and a slicing of the network to tailor the consumer needs. The short-term goal is to provide consultancy services and training to entities planning to build satellite backhauling infrastructures.

Through its activities, ALIX supports the satellite communication community to engage with 3GPP in order to develop contributions and advocate positions favourable to the SatCom sector within the 3GPP standardisation process such that they result in tangible industrial opportunities.
The project gathers organizations from the satellite communication community each holding key positions in 3GPP and ETSI as contributors, rapporteurs of study items or chairmanship of Working Group.

The project’s outcomes deal with the design, implementation, test and demonstration of a prototype backhauling solution (satellite terminal, satellite gateway and NB-IoT network functions) which is capable of providing NB-IoT backhauling services. The purposes of this activity is using the latest satellite backhauling technologies and standards in order to provide a more efficient backhauling of NB-IoT cells over satellite. The prototype is embedded in a testbed which represents a realistic environment with regard to a future deployment.

The goal of the project is to generate additional data for optimization of assets in satellite communication based on available recorded signal quality data from VSAT networks. This business intelligence data is used for daily work in payload operations as well as for optimizing the business case by leveraging cost reduction opportunities in orbit and on ground.

This activity developed and then demonstrated in-orbit, on a commercial spacecraft, a fully Flexible Transparent Digital Processor.   This project is another step along the path to fully flexible commercial telecommunications satellites for Europe.

Development of a family of user terminals for Ka band MEO and LEO constellations that can be sold at a low enough price-point to enable operators to provide satellite broadband affordably to the large, transient and growing requirement for global connectivity. The scope in this project is to develop the low-cost terminal for the Methera constellation.

The idea is to propose and to investigate a thin flat antenna for home applications (i.e. DVB-S), which it allows to be easily installed and aligned in a good-looking manner, suggesting innovative and cost/power efficient solutions to implement beam steering or custom solutions with a specific pre-pointing.

The European Optical Nucleus Network is the first commercially available Optical Network integrating KSAT’s own optical ground station (OGS) and partner stations. The ESA-ESOC ELRS at Tenerife, the DLR-GSOC at Almeria and the KSAT station at Nemea in Greece (called the Nucleus stations) will be connected to the KSAT Tromsø Network Operations Centre (TNOC).  Terrestrial optical communication has changed the way we work, but spaceborne optical links are still not standardized and Direct to Earth Links are not used in an operational environment. The project realizes a first commercial network of optical stations that can be used for supporting optical payloads on any spacecraft.

In 2016 EHP has gained a heat pipes contract for the megaconstellation OneWeb, which represented a challenge in terms of volume and recurring price. An industrialization phase was needed. This industrialization phase has been successfully performed and, since 2015, our number of delivered heat pipes has doubled every year, to reach 2350 items in 2020 and now 3500 items in 2021. 

Data in the chart: status is at the date of 24th June 2021

This study aims to identify synergies between SatCom and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT, “blockchain”) as well as the preliminary definition for the architecture most suited for the implementation of a SatCom+DLT mission.

The enhanced Deployable Panel Radiators (eDPR) is a major feature of the OneSat innovative, fully reconfigurable; software defined, and standardized satellite for commercial telecommunication missions in geostationary orbit. This product is one of the major OneSat innovation providing the thermal system with an unprecedented heat rejection capability and efficiency thanks to its ecliptic mechanism (Airbus patent) keeping the panels out of the sun exposure. This is essential to the OneSat platform to reach the required heat rejection due to Active Antenna dissipation in addition to fixed radiators while preserving the Spacecraft compactness.

Development of two Highly-Integrated Single-Chip Frequency Converter MMICs (SCFC) capable of supporting various frequency translation schemes, at Ku and Ka bands, to be exploited in future LEO and MEO constellations.

Study to investigate long-term electrical breakdown behavior of typical isolation designs including bare, encapsulated and conformal coated PCBs for space application.

The performed activity included three different parts : The Q Band EPC qualification and Q Band TWTA validation, the adaptation of current test means (Pre Integration test bench & TVAC) and the preliminary study of EPC for very high power amplification in Ka Band.

Development and processor-in-the-loop validation of innovative guidance algorithms for on-board optimization of thrust and attitude profile for autonomous electrical orbit raising.

This activity supports the satellite community in following up agenda items from the World Radio Conference 2019 and prepares for the World Radio Conference in 2023. 

Eurostar NEO has two double-capacity almost-spherical skirt-mounted propellant tanks placed within a central cone/cylinder structure. The benefits vs. legacy Eurostar platforms, which featured four polar mounted tanks around a central structure, are: more room for payload, more cost-efficient use of titanium alloy and value added in MAIT.

Space based network infrastructure will very soon complement the terrestrial mobile networks that are currently being deployed based on 5G technologies standardised by 3GPP. This will allow satellite communications to become an integral part of the global telecommunications ecosystem strongly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals for a better society and supporting sustainable growth for various industry sectors.

With user links in High-Throughput Satellites reaching 500+Mbaud symbol rates and new spectrum allocation for terrestrial 5G in Ka-band, user terminals can support both satellite and terrestrial carriers. The Hybrid Channel Emulator allows users to validate the performance of such terminals in a lab environment, by emulating synchronized radio propagation conditions of satellite and terrestrial links in many scenarios.

The activity is designed to address the deficiency in available secure access technology in remote areas and in areas where there is no or unreliable terrestrial radio coverage. The solution provides a satellite ready secure access device, which can pass IP data between a secure management portal and remotely located equipment.

Magister Solutions Ltd. offers a cloud-based simulation service called Magister SimLab, which integrates the whole network simulation workflow into one easy-to-use service including scenario and campaign design, simulation execution and monitoring, and results analysis.

SCNE simulator enables the design of the future LEO satellite communication constellations, but also the study and assessment of protocol and algorithm performances ranging from low-speed data collection and mobile communications to broadband and broadcast services.

This project consists of the development and implementation of a demonstrator for DVB-S2X wideband transmission links - supporting baud rates up to 1.4 Gsps.

This activity focuses its efforts on the implementation and verification of the most critical features of ground components for DVB standardized beam-hopping. In that context an end-to-end hardware testbed is developed to verify standard compliance and demonstrate features like e.g. seamless beam-hopping time plan updates.

Three different frequency generation modules have been developed in the program. These frequency generation modules are targeting use in low phase noise applications.

Low power, low weight electronically steerable Ka band antenna arrays for fixed and mobile satellite terminals using RF MEMS phase shifters. Typical applications are Maritime, trains, UAV’s, mobile, Satellite backhaul.

High-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS) are aircrafts (airplanes, airships or balloons) positioned above 20 Km altitude, ideally designed to fly for a long time in the stratosphere, providing services conventionally served by artificial satellites orbiting the Earth. This activity has to be understood in the context of a renewed interest in HAPS as assets for providing different services, especially telecommunications and remote sensing for civilian or military applications.

SHADER investigate the use of HAPS-borne broadband satcom datalink, to relief small RPAS (drones) from the burden of heavy data transceiver payloads.
This is an enabling technology for the use of small UAV in areas with little connectivity.

RADIOSAT: a miniaturized K/Ka band transceiver for small satellites.

To develop a system (i.e., a protocol stack) that integrates satellite links (beyond line-of-sight) and terrestrial links (line-of-sight) in the 5030-5091 MHz band to provide seamless C2 communications for unmanned aircraft, UAVs.

Satellite communications industry has been growing rapidly over recent years. There has never been more satellite launches than we have had in the last two years with all the LEO launches. Diversity of satellites, new transmission modes and optimization techniques combined with proprietary standards is all adding complexity to an already challenging environment. As the number of satellites increases, it is expected that the number of interference cases increases as well. This leads to a significant higher amount of effort for satellite operators to identify interference cases.
AI has the potential to be a game changer in the satellite industry, where it could be used to improve processes and increase efficiency. AI could establish a digital assistant, capable of processing information about everyday satellite procedures, resolving and predicting issues before they become errors.

The “Large Xenon Tank Assembly” (L-XTA) is the largest high-pressure xenon tank in the world – designed and built in Europa.
Its cost-competitive, qualified lightweight COPV design offers an optimal performance for high-pressure storage of Xe gas for hybrid & full-electric satellite propulsion systems. 
Two dedicated “tank families” have been qualified, each with a common diameter, covering a total volume range of 300-900 l.
Tank qualification was successfully performed with two dedicated models, one for each family size. First targeted missions are ELECTRA and Mars Sample Return.
 

Artificially intelligent satellites and communication systems, once solely the province of science fiction, are now a reality. Recent advances have equipped the latest generation of space platforms with new levels of autonomy, awareness and resilience.

CGI have partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA) and industry to develop the Autonomous Satellite Solutions (AUTSS) platform, an artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) accelerator for the Satcoms industry.

CGI has created AUTSS to address the unique engineering challenges of Space. AUTSS combines CGI’s 50 years of experience in the European and North American Space industry with: optimised hardware; Machine-Learning-as-a-Service (MLaaS); and bespoke AI tooling. The platform offers substantial reductions in the cost, time and risk required to explore how AI can improve your business.

OSS is currently developing proprietary metal mesh fabrics for the foldable reflector surface of their Wrapped Rib and Offset Reflector antenna architectures. The knitted metal mesh structures are being developed using state-of-the-art knitting processes and will undergo full mechanical and RF characterization. The patterns and mesh densities under development enable operational frequencies up to Ka band.