Space for 5G & 6G

ESA-STAR reference: esa-star publication pending
Invitation to Tender: Integrated Wideband Multiplexer for Hybrid SATCOM/Terrestrial 5G User Terminals 
(ARTES 4.0 5G/6G SPL 7B.069)
Opening date: End Q4 2022
Closing date: End Q1 2023

INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT)

5G-millimetre-wave deployment scenarios such as Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), can be based on Time Division Duplexing (TDD) and therefore use a single frequency band to both transmit and receive. However, current and next-generation High-Throughput Satellites (HTS) rely on Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), thereby requiring two separate communication channels on separate frequency bands for uplink and downlink. This architectural difference between terrestrial TDD and Satellite FDD makes the integration of the satellite component into upcoming 5G systems a real challenge.

As part of the ARTES 4.0 Space for 5G and 6G strategic programme, the present Invitation to Tender (ITT) aims to define, specify and develop a wideband and highly integrated multiplexer to enable multiple RF chains to share a common antenna aperture on the ground. This feature is particularly attractive in the implementation of hybrid User Terminals for 5G, where at least three bands need to be separated.

SCOPE OF THE ACTIVITIES

The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a wideband multiplexer breadboard using advanced RF filtering and packaging techniques, which will support hybrid terrestrial/Satcom 5G services. The breadboard should be capable of enabling novel applications and system functionalities. The main tasks for this activity should include the following: • a review of millimetre-wave multiplexing techniques suitable for wideband operation. with an emphasis on filter and multiplexing techniques • a trade-off and selection at least one application scenario (e.g. Connected Car, Aeronautical), and • a detailed design of the breadboard (minimum three channels ) based on the selected application scenario.

WHAT WE OFFER

For this activity, the Agency has defined a maximum budget of 800,000 Euros.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We look for teams with the technical expertise to understand the needs and scenarios of Satcom and Terrestrial Services, to perform advanced filter simulations at both circuit and electromagnetic levels and to develop a wideband multiplexer breadboard.

For this ITT, companies or organisations residing in the following Member States will be eligible to apply: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Bidding teams are requested to obtain a Letter of Authorisation from all the respective national delegations before submitting their Proposal.

ESA TENDER INFORMATION

Responding to an open competitive Invitation to Tender (ITT) requires the submission of a Proposal. The Proposal will be evaluated according to ESA regulations and procedures.

The consequential evaluation of proposals results in a recommendation for a winning bid. In the event that several proposals of good quality targeting different and/or complementary aspects are submitted, the Agency reserves the right to place parallel contracts for each of the open competitive ITTs in coordination with the relevant national delegations.

Your tender must be submitted in electronic format only via esa-star tendering [see: https://esastar.sso.esa.int/]

REGISTRATION AS BIDDER

The Prime and all subcontractors must register as potential bidders via esa-star, prior to downloading the official tender documents from esa-star and submitting their Proposal. The registration process needs to be started as soon as possible, as it will take time to complete.