Description
Priority 2 activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one delegation.
The objective of the activity is to demonstrate the principle of operation of interference aware power control techniques aimed at optimising the Travelling Wave Tube Aamplifier (TWTA) Output Back-Off settings on the uplink and downlink. The concepts shall be validated in both uplink and downlink through live experiments. Earlier studies on targeted techniques have indicated that the instantaneous system capacity can be considerably increased, thanks to the optimal balance between Intermodulation noise and output power.
Targeted improvements: Earlier studies on targeted techniques have indicated that the instantaneous system capacity can be considerably increased, thanks to the optimal balance between Intermodulation noise and output power.
Future Broadband Satellite Communication Systems are targeting to approach Terabit per second capacity. A possible way to reduce the inferred Ground Segment cost is to move the feeder links to higher frequency bands such as Q and V band, but this implies dealing with high attenuation due to tropospheric phenomena. Traditionally, in the uplink feeder link the tropospheric fading is counteracted through Uplink Power Control. In this technique, the gateway High Power Amplifier (HPA) is operated in back-off in nominal conditions, while the power is increased when a fading is detected on the link in such a way to make the received power at the satellite antenna being constant. This approach is not optimum, since moving the HPA operational point triggers a variation of other effects, such as the intermodulation level and the non-linear distortion.
In the feeder downlink normally the HPAs are operated in fixed gain mode. This mode of operation implies the link C/N decreases linearly with the tropospheric fading.
It is possible both in uplink and downlink to estimate the optimal operating point of the amplifier, optimising the overall Signal Over Noise Plus Interference Ratio. This concept has been proven to potentially reduce the ground segment cost, which becomes much more relevant in high throughput systems. Although similar techniques are discussed in literature, they have not been proven on the field yet. Therefore a live demonstration would build confidence vis-a-vis operators and ground segment equipment manufacturers with regards to the feasibility and the benefits.
Various techniques shall be reviewed and a proof of concept architecture shall be defined. The proof of concept should be a live experiment using in-orbit assets when considered feasible. Once the proof of concept is developed, tests and demonstration shall be carried out to prove the concept and performance.
Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additionalinformation please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and R&D entities in ESA programmes".