Projects

High performance, narrow-band, miniaturized filters for satellite communications in L and S band based on dielectric loaded cavities.

Providing a lower-profile antenna for Satellite communications unlocks larger markets as long as the price does not rise disproportionately. Our design offers on the relatively low profile achievable with the lens concept with uncompromised RF performance and at a cost comparable to that of a reflector based system.

The output of the current generation of digital processors, used on commercial satellite missions, is either at baseband, or a low IF. This signal must then be up-converted to the operating frequency of the spacecraft, such as C, Ku or Ka-band. The need for these up-converters significantly increases the cost per output of digitally processed payloads. This study has investigated if/how conventional frequency up-converters could be replaced with an Ultra-highspeed DAC’s

The aim of the project is to develop a Frequency Flexible Command Receiver Prototype Flight Model and to have it launched on board Eutelsat E8WB. Performance data are to be documented during unit production, Satellite IOT and after an operational period of 12 months.

The Ka-band feed positioner enables cross polarisation to be optimised, while
the terminal is transmitting. For 1.8 and larger offset Ka-band reflectors, this
saves a lot of installation time, because the AzEl don’t need adjustment. Having
set the AzEl for receive cross polarisation, the transmit will be a few millimetres
away, and this can be achieved in a few seconds by moving the feed.
For inclined tracking, the motorised feed saves cost, freight, installation time
and running costs compared to a AzEl solution. The feed can be fitted
retrospectively to an existing antenna. It is positioned by connection to TLE.

Waveguide harnesses for multi-beam satellite applications are contributing a substantial portion of the overall payload mass budget.
Thus, a novel bundled waveguide harness solution has been developed that provides essential advantages over state-of-the-art implementations. It does not only exhibit mass savings of more than 20%, but also improved insertion loss, compact size, facilitation of the installation and remarkable cost reductions.

In this activity, the consortium investigated an exhaustive and
comprehensive approach towards devising and prototyping an
enhanced cost-effective modem for MEO satellite broadband access.
The main prototype activity considered diversity combining and
seamless handover without packet loss. Additionally a scenario for
coverage extension through side-lobe communication was
investigated.

The project’s target is the optimization of the air interface for the high capacity demand in HTS as well as the design and development of a prototype receiver.

Development and qualification of pre-distorted C & Ku Band Input Multiplexers

The programme comprised four work packages, the first to define a partial EOR product, the second to define a common core the MPF platform, the third was to define a number of specific tasks for the light E3000 EOR product and the forth was to define a number of specific tasks for the heavy E3000 EOR product.

The objective of this project was to de-risk technologies and critical processes to be able to develop an automatic manufacturing of PhotoVoltaic Assemblies (PVA). This study was concluded with the successful manufacturing and thermal cycling of 2 PVA coupons.
Additionally a co-engineering study was performed with tool suppliers, to define a preliminary technical solution for the PVA automated manufacturing line.

Two antenna configurations have been selected as references for future development of Large Deployable Reflector Systems. One of 12 meters aperture for say L-S band and one of 5 meters aperture for say Ka band. For each Antenna, the architecture of the reflector has been identified and investigated, inclusive of accommodation on commercial spacecraft. Requirements / roadmap / cost for LDR development have been identified.

The Low Rate VSAT SCADA Network development has result in a unique low-data rate DVB-S2/RCS terminal optimized for SCADA applications, as well as a private, single user hub for network configuration, control and monitoring.

PhWP evaluates a lightweight and fully embedded alternative to common electrical temperature sensors for satellite housekeeping. OHB System AG and the subcontractors HPS Lda. and Technobis TFT review the possible usage of fiber-optical sensors embedded in aluminum and CFRP spacecraft panels.

The activity aims to significantly reduce the cost of LTE-based interactive mobile services via the seamless and efficient integration of future interactive mobile satellite networks in the next generation 3GPP architecture, and to facilitate service creation and new business models for the satellite industry.

The objective of the COMFIL project is to develop and evaluate compact concepts for C-band and Ku-band broadband bandpass filters having a very low insertion loss and wide spurious free range in the out-of-band.

Enhancing capacity and flexibility is one of the major challenges for
new-generation Ku-band payloads. One of the main axis is the
introduction of flexibility within conventional payload with the
qualification of Ku-band flexible frequency converters.

PPU Qualification for mega-constellations, the future space standard with mass production manufacturing processes and lean costs.

This project investigates the suitability of additive manufacturing for the fabrication of RF user terminal front-ends for communications-on-the-move applications. Three different components taken from commercial terminals are successfully implemented: a diplexer, an OMT, and an antenna array. All the components are manufactured by stereolithography of polymer materials followed by a proprietary electroless copper plating procedure developed by Swissto12.

Development and Qualification of a high power Ka-Band Coupler, a 300W Load and Waveguide Circulator and of a compact Isolator.

Among all antenna payload solutions suitable to support reconfigurable and flexible broadband satellite communication missions, DRA antenna systems represent the typical candidates to fulfill these requirements.
Unfortunately, periodic DRA antenna solutions are characterized by different drawbacks, mainly related to the very large array aperture dimensions needed to obtain narrow high-gain spot beams, with as consequence very high number of active radiating elements, high system complexity, high weight, difficulties in accommodation and high manufacturing costs.
Another key point for future satellite telecommunication missions is to consider antenna systems able to operate simultaneously at both receive and transmit bands using the same antenna aperture.
The transmit/receive DRA antenna characterized by the same aperture for satellite applications presents many difficulties at higher frequency as the Ka Band, due to the operative frequency band considering a frequency ratio 1.5 between transmit and receive. In this respect, the selections of the adequate radiating element inter-spacing and the antenna aperture size have to consider both transmit and receive performances.
A very interesting antenna solution potentially suitable to overcome all these drawbacks is represented by an Imaging antenna architecture fed by two small active phased arrays, one for TX and one for RX.
Moreover, in order to minimize the number of radiating elements, satisfying pattern requirements in terms of sidelobe and isolation levels, aperiodic/sparse array configurations have been considered to feed the Imaging antenna system.

The programme comprised four elements, the first to develop a range of three E3000 SXL Satellite Platforms (featuring CPS MkIII), the second was a combination of E/W radiators and TWT implementation enhancements in order to extend thermal capability, the third was a range of payload implementation improvements and the final package was to develop the products necessary to offer a E3000 100V platform into the market.

The MSURA project is a demonstrator of large (up to 5m), unfurlable antenna reflector for KU missions.

In the frame of European efforts for independence regarding equipment for satellite communication, this project aims to develop ITAR free 20µm bi-propellant particle filter to meet applicable requirements related to the existing European Geostationary Telecom platforms.

The Newtec Dialog System fully prepared for large scale HTS wideband Satcom operations.

The project comprises investigation of possible solutions to minimize
mass and volume for the RF Front-End elements of large Ka-band high
throughput satellites. This includes:
- Architectural trade-offs
- Technology trade-offs
- Design
- Sub-elements and BB validation
- EM MAIT

This project proposes the industrial development by Airbus Defence and Space Crisa, under the Artes 3-4 programme, of a sequencing module so-called Heater-Keeper-Ignitor-Sequencer, (HKISeq). This module is part of the New Generation of Power Processing Unit of Airbus Defence and Space.

The project’s target is the design and development of a system demonstrator that proves the feasibility and benefit of interference mitigation techniques in representative environments.

Within this activity the RIT 2X ion thruster product for application on geostationary telecommunication satellites has been developed. The activity secures the transition from the heritage RIT22 system towards a customized RIT2X solution for a commercial customer. Scope included development activities for Thruster, Radio Frequency Generator, Neutralizer and Xenon Flow Control. The Power Processing Unit has been developed in parallel within a German National Programme.

Spacecraft structural health-monitoring applications are pushed forward by increased constraints in the cost of launching payloads into orbit that dictates major reduction in structural weight. Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) optical sensors exhibit a large multiplexing capability and thus can provide relevant savings in terms of cabling and sensor weight. With this objective, the FOS System project has adapted the photonic sensor technology to the requirements of space in-flight applications.
The result is a smart demonstrator based on FBG optical sensing technology, able to acquire up to 8 channels with 20 FBGs per channel at 10 Hz acquisition rate and showing temperature sensing precisions above 0.2°C. The system can be accommodated either in stand-alone configuration or inside a telemetry acquisition unit.

The usage of multi-carrier per transponder operation is becoming more and more common in future satellite systems. This is due to both the use of wider transponder bandwidths and because the efficient operation of multi-carrier transmissions is of high importance future broadcast applications and for broadband applications over future high throughput satellite (HTS) systems. In this context, MCPRED project has implemented a powerful multi-carrier pre-distortion hardware prototype testbed, whose performance has been successfully tested both in laboratory conditions and through over-the-air satellite demonstrations. To this end, throughput gains up to 9% over linearized satellite transponders were successfully demonstrated, which directly translates to similar improvements in terms of operational expenditures as well as capital expenditure gains.

This project covers the development of a RFIC that operates in Ku band which will support interfacing with phased array antenna elements and hardware demonstrator with all the components integrated.

The next generation of Ka-band satellites will allow a considerable reduction in wireless broadband access costs on-the-move. Mobility requires beam steering at the user terminal to maintain the satellite link. An effort is required to allow smaller affordable mobile terminal antennas mounted on top of vehicles like trains, car or planes without sacrificing performance. There is a trade-off among several possible antenna solutions in terms complexity, weight and cost. Pure mechanical steering solutions promise very low-cost antennas, while competing in terms of performance. The downsides tends to be the antenna volume and mechanical complexity.
The project proposes a new concept of mechanically steered Ka-band antenna based on a passive transmit-array design that scans the beam just by its in-plane translations over a fixed single feed (or mixed translation of the transmit-array and a single feed). This favors antenna low profile and lightweight. A single aperture is used to operate simultaneously in the downlink and uplink bands with circular polarization. The proposed solution requires less volume and less weight compared to reflector-based solutions. At the same time, the developed solution allows lower production costs than phased array antenna solutions.

Following key activities in the telecom payload product area have been performed:
- Development, industrialization and qualification of two 4-pack Kaband LNA EQMs; one with primary power interface and one with secondary power interface.

The goal of the GHOST is to develop a flexible measurement instrument to facilitate the verification of wideband satellite channels without interrupting the customer service as well as avoiding interfering with other satellites during orbital movements.

The purpose of the project is to design, manufacture and test an Engineering Model Multi-port Amplifier operating in the Ku-band. This allows demonstration of RF performances, confirmation of the performance predictions and demonstration of the calibration functions of an MPA. The project ensures risks are retired and the path to a future Flight Model is identified.

In Electric Propulsion systems often cross-switching of high voltage lines is required.
Nowadays this kind of switching is usually done with high voltage relays. Benefits are expected by replacing the relays with semiconductors.
The challenge will be the use of advanced semiconductors capable to deal with high voltages, related to Hall Effect Thruster and Ion Engines.

A feasibility study for a passive ranging system to estimate satellites ephemeris for LEOP/Orbital move/MEO and LEO satellites.

This project covers the development of a Digital Beam Former ASIC that enables the use of multiple antenna elements to perform beam forming.