ESA-STAR ref: esa-star publication pending

Invitation to tender: Space for 5G and 6G: On-field reconfigurable notch filter for sub-6GHz interference mitigation 

Publication date: End Q4 2022

Closing date: End Q1 2023

INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT)

Terrestrial network operators have initiated the mass deployment of 5G cellular base stations in many countries around the world. However, part of the sub-6 GHz 5G spectrum overlaps with the standard and extended C-band, which is used by Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) for Maritime and Fixed Satellite Services. The sub-6GHz 5G carriers can fall very close to the satellite C-Band and are much stronger than signals received from a satellite. These 5G interferers are difficult to predict, as their magnitude, frequency and timing depends on the actual VSAT location and operating conditions. The use of a filter in front of the Low-Noise-Block (LNB) input can protect the satellite carriers within its passband and isolate unwanted carriers located out of the passband. Filter replacement is a major concern for many C-Band VSAT users, as it requires manual feed adjustments in high-risk situations (e.g., ship decks, high-rise buildings). An electronically reconfigurable notch filter would be an optimal solution in the Sub-6GHz interference mitigation toolkit.

As part of the ARTES 4.0 Space for 5G and 6G strategic action, the present Invitation to Tender (ITT) aims to define, specify and develop a C-Band reconfigurable notch filter breadboard, suitable for VSAT applications.

SCOPE OF THE ACTIVITIES

The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a C-Band reconfigurable notch filter breadboard to dynamically reject sub-6GHz interferers. The main tasks for this activity should include:

• a review of reconfigurable notch filter concepts, suitable for C-Band implementation, with an emphasis on filter and tuning concepts offering high quality factor and low complexity

• the selection of at least one baseline concept for the reconfigurable notch filter

• the detailed design of a breadboard based on the selected baseline, and

• a filter breadboard to be manufactured and tested

WHAT WE OFFER

For this activity, the Agency has defined a maximum budget of 500,000 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 simulations of reconfigurable filter concepts and to develop a reconfigurable notch filter 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 the respective national delegations before submitting the 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.