PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Based on multi-beam satellite concept, offering multimedia services at Ka frequency bands, the overall objectives of this programme is to design and to develop a GEO satellite system, to manufacture some of the equipments in breadboard and EQM quality (generic building blocks), and to test the whole system (hardware and software components) within a specifically developed system test bed (system feasibility assessment, data transmission performance and traffic management efficiency).
The satellite system shall support a flexible, efficient and high capacity two-way data exchange scheme with data transfer in real and non-real time, and in bursty and non-bursty modes, to a large number of end-users using fixed terminals. The system is managed by a centralized Network Control Center (NCC) controlling the overall network that is composed of several Interactive Networks (IN). The INs consist of a set of terminals (ST and NAT) for access to the external networks.
The main objectives of the satellite payload is to provide connections between a set of terminals and gateways located within the field of view of the satellite. The satellite payload supports the forward and return mission between the gateways and there associated cluster of end user beams, and the mesh mission from any user beam to any user beam.
To achieve this goal the Domino 2 contract is phased into:
- Batch 1: Multimedia System Studies
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Batch 2: Development of key On-board Equipments (Version D2V1: Circuit Switch Payload, and Version D2V2: Packet Switch Payload) and
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Batch 3: Evolution of SatCom Engineering and Validation (radio resource enhancement, network architecture enhancement, QoS and SLA management), Complementary on-board Equipment (APS, FAFR antenna, OBP technology).
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Challenges
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Plan
The ongoing and newly launched are of critical importance (long-lead units), therefore developed and implemented for short time-to-market Ka-band operational application (meaning dedicated satellite system implementation tolerant), aiming for generic modular building blocks (space and ground segment, hardware and software). These development activities include Satcom Network Engineering (terminals and control/management components), Packet Switch OBP (MCDDD, Routing and Formatter ASICs in latest high density ASIC technology, Ka-band MMICs, FAFR Antenna and APS (multi antenna pointing system).
These activities are in progress over the next 28 months.
A first flight opportunity has been already identified with the AmerHis payload (4 regenerative transponders, based on Domino D2V1 activities), being integrated on Amazonas satellite (operated by Hispasat) by September 2003). Other flight opportunities expected for KaSat projects (based on Domino D2V2 development work).
Current Status
System oriented engineering work, in specific system architecture, NCC, NAT NT engineering, QoS and SLA management, payload engineering, has been deeply addressed and is close to finish (except those activities which are subject to continuous updates). A complete OBP breadboard, based on D2V1 configuration, has been built and tested (and has now contributed to successful start of payload hardware to be flown on Amazonas satellite, see above). Within the D2V2 line hardware finished (breadboard and EQM units) are Ka-band Direct Modulator, Antenna Dishes (inclusively feed), MCDDD and Switch ASICs.
Work in progress are still system oriented engineering work, and hardware built of FAFR Antenna and Multi-antenna Pointing System, as well as full Domino 2 system test bed.
Very soon it is expected that modular building blocks hardware development and manufacture activity will start for Ka-band LNA (including MMIC), OBP ASICs to fulfil the Formatter functions, ASIC implementation based on high density technology, and test-set up for complete breadboard testing of the OBP function (D2V2 concept).
Companies
