Description
To define air interface requirements for MEO satellite networks, develop relevant transmission schemes and upper layer protocols, and demonstrate achievable performance using an end-to-end test-bed implemented in real-time software or hardware including the transmit/receive techniques prototypes.
Targeted Improvements:
Improved air interface efficiency in terms of achievable throughput as well service availability for MEO satellite networks. Enhanced transmission capacity taking into account multiple beam (via different satellites) reception/transmission capabilities of receivers.
Description:
The use of non-geostationary satellite for high speed data services has been taking momentum in the past years. In particular, the launch of the first O3b MEO constellation satellites is a recent example of a new mission concept, taking advantage of a lower latency and a higher EIRP to cover under-served geographical areas, compared to existing broadband coverage in GEO.
Satellite access via MEO constellation poses new challenges and, at the same time, offers new opportunities that demand a fresh look at the design of ground system components and air interface protocols. The use of multiple satellites and multiple beams with possible dynamic beam forming implies new access scenarios with multiple reception (and transmission) paths at each end node. The atmospheric conditions, particularly at Ka-band, create new challenges in maintaining the link availability targets.
The goal of this activity is to consolidate requirements for MEO satellite networks in terms of air interface protocols and access schemes, and investigate specific techniques for the physical layer and upper layer to fulfill such requirements. In particular, the following aspects will be investigated:
- Multiple beam and multiple satellite reception/transmission capability and its impact on the system capacity optimisation.
- Signal quality variation due to atmospheric fading and beam/satellite movements.
- Link adaptation and radio resource management.
- Support of different class of user terminals with different reception/transmission capabilities.
- Quality of Service: service availability, end-to-end delay and jitter, sustainable data rate, etc.
- Handover protocols and the use of upper layer techniques such as Network coding
- Terminal array antenna with digital beam-forming
The first phase of the activity will identify the most promising and innovative techniques to address the MEO satellite network requirements.
The second phase of the activity will focus on system evaluation and analyses based on selected solutions from phase 1. The goal is to demonstrate the target improvements using a prototype platform and based on identified use cases.
Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and R&D entities in ESA programmes".
Tender Specifics