PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
In order to assess the utilization of optical technologies on board next generation communication satellites (performance advantages, extra capabilities), the objectives of this activity are:
- To investigate end-to-end system architectures for next generation high throughput communication satellites exploiting optical technologies (intra- and inter-satellite), including identification of the space segment modifications required to realise the system performance objectives.
- To identify the critical elements of the entire end-to-end chain, including ground terminals, space terminals, optical payload units/Photonics, interfaces and harnesses, and to determine their key system performance requirements and provide an overview on potential enabling optical technologies required.
- To identify the critical requirements and elements of future satellite platforms to host the payload elements of the end-to-end system.
Challenges
The main challenges initially identified are:
- seamlessly interconnect heterogeneous links at space segment level
- signal quality loss over multiple optical link hops
- accommodation of a large number (farms) of optical (and RF) terminals on satellites
- achieving Optical Satellite Network availabilities (including the required ground segment) comparable to fibre optical ground networks
- enabling seamless OGS switching, including re-routing, of the terrestrial traffic in case of gateway handover
- re-use of terrestrial optical systems for space links
System Architecture
Three scenarios are proposed as future space optical transport networks.
- Scenario 1: a non-Geostationary (NGSO) satellite constellation with RF feeder and user links, optical inter-satellite links and optical on-board routing.
- Scenario 2: a satellite constellation (LEO/MEO/GEO) for optical transport, as part of the global fiber infrastructure. A limited number of gateways provide the connection to the ground network through optical feeder-links. Intersatellite links are optical with capacity of Tbit/s and the data is routed onboard. Ground-to-satellite feeder-links can be in the range of 100 Gbit/s
- Scenario 3: a satellite constellation (LEO/MEO/GEO) in mesh or ring configuration with optical feeder links, intersatellite-links and user links.
Plan
- Potential use-cases will be identified. These can be new applications/services, or current services that can be complemented/substituted by satellite communications.
- These services and applications will be related to network architecture, comparing them from the technical feasibility and the business case, point-of-view. The definition of the scenarios will be completed, taking into account which business case are more favourable.
- Requirements will be defined, taking into account the end-to-end communications chain, including the ground and space segments.
- A preliminary system design will be performed, identifying the technology gaps and enablers.
- Finally, a technological roadmap for a future implementation will be produced.
Current Status
The project was kicked off early 2019, and use cases have been defined. The business case and value proposition is currently being developed.
