Projects

This project develops a flexible Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver, building on flight-proven S-band technology. Building on existing developments, the project creates new firmware for inter-satellite communication, including routing, and a half-duplex S-band front-end. The design also considers future higher frequencies, enabling wider application areas.

The content of this project is the development of a specific piezoelectrically driven, two-axis mirror tilting system for optical communication in space. In consideration of the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission, the aim was to develop a system that fulfils the requirements for both Fine Steering Mirrors (FSM) and Point Ahead Mirrors (PAM). The system enables precise alignment of laser beams and compensates for interference caused by the movement of the satellites relative to each other or by the environment. The challenges included ensuring suitable tilt angles, high frequency response, very precise and repeatable movements and robustness against vibrations during a rocket launch. The use of piezoelectric actuators offers advantages such as high accuracy and low power consumption, making it ideal for use in space. The developed system reduces integration costs by providing one solution for two different applications while fulfilling the specific requirements.

The development and verification of a new DVB-S2X (a digital satellite television broadcast standard) high-speed downlink transmitter for low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, with high-capacity storage.

The study has the objective to define and assess all the key aspects related to the design and operations of the Spacecraft element of an intelligent system targeting a disruptive level of autonomy.

The IPFS project targets the definition of promising applications and Platform reference architecture for next generations of Satellites equipped with a suite of cutting-edge autonomous features, also leveraging Artificial Intelligence techniques. The target application of the IPFS project is to be seen in the context of an E2E Intelligent System that will include space and ground, where the advanced autonomy requirement could be closed more edge or ground, depending on the specific mission or service needs.

The project explores continual machine learning techniques for onboard implementation in communication satellites, enhancing their reliability and data throughput using advanced DPUs, and neuromorphic computers.

Very/ High Throughput Satellites (V/HTS) systems will play an important role in integrated satellite-terrestrial networks. A key technological evolution to cope with the ever-growing demand for higher data rates in bandwidth-limited V/HTS systems is to shift their feeder links to the Q/V-band (40/50 GHz). Even though up to 5 GHz of bandwidth is available in the Q/V-band, tens of spatially separated feeder links with a full re-use of the uplink frequency resources are required to support the aggregated user link bandwidth.

The E2EQSS project is a pioneering effort to incorporate asymmetric quantum-safe cryptography, also known as post-quantum cryptography, to facilitate quantum-safe key distribution tailored explicitly for future satellite constellations. By seamlessly integrating space and ground components, the project aims to establish a fortified barrier against the advances of quantum computing threats.

In response to the increasing numbers of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) that require a high capacity for information transfer, a study is conducted in feasibility of achieving space to underwater communications. Optical communications present an opportunity for long range communications through the air-water interface that cannot be achieved with acoustic or RF methods.

The EURANTOS project provides Radio Frequency antenna semiconductor components for satellite constellations and is aiming for space and ground applications. The technology is offering an optimised and less complex solution for active antenna systems in the future environment of 5G networks, for example, autonomous driving.

Demonstration of a compact fiber-optical matrix switch allowing to reconfigure the optical signals from any of 64 fiber-optical input ports to any of 64 fiber-optical output ports. The switching technology is based on a combination of Silicon Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS).

With user links in High-Throughput Satellites reaching 500+Mbaud symbol rates and new spectrum allocation for terrestrial 5G in Ka-band, user terminals can support both satellite and terrestrial carriers. The Hybrid Channel Emulator allows users to validate the performance of such terminals in a lab environment, by emulating synchronized radio propagation conditions of satellite and terrestrial links in many scenarios.

High-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS) are aircrafts (airplanes, airships or balloons) positioned above 20 Km altitude, ideally designed to fly for a long time in the stratosphere, providing services conventionally served by artificial satellites orbiting the Earth. This activity has to be understood in the context of a renewed interest in HAPS as assets for providing different services, especially telecommunications and remote sensing for civilian or military applications.

The 5G-EMERGE project aims to develop an integrated satellite and terrestrial online delivery ecosystem to enable high-quality content distribution services. It encompasses a hybrid and fully native IP infrastructure to deploy edges in both 5G and non 5G-network head-ends, home networks and networks in vehicles. The 3GPP 5G specification is used as convergence technology. 

Scalable Ka-Band User Terminal with distributed baseband processing.

Spaceit, together with CybExer Technologies, CGI Estonia, and Foundation CR14, aims to leverage their previous knowledge and infrastructure to offer a single platform – a virtual environment called the "Space Cyber Range" – an innovative testing and training ground for the space industry and related sectors. This initiative will enable companies in the space sector to test their technology, conduct training, and enhance their cyber defense capabilities.

The European Optical Nucleus Network is the first commercially  available Network. All Partner Antennas are connected to one Network  Operations Center providing seamless access.

This project progressed the development of the Ka-band transceiver for broadband, satellite-user, ground terminals based in the new compound semiconductor technologies available for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifiers (PAs). The OMMIC GaN-on-Si process D01GH was selected for a novel PA design and in a study of off-the-shelf MMICs the Iconic ICP2840 tested in package in a transceiver housing. 

To ensure VHTS Ground stations’ pointing requirements, customers need competitive European Q-band technical architecture (no export regulations), compatible with other frequency bandwidths and existing architecture (from S band to Ka band). The aim of the BHE’s Q-band tracking downconverter development is to fulfil this recent need.

In the MONAMI project, Kinéis and CEA-Leti develop the next generation of miniature hybrid terrestrial/satellite antennas for IoT sensors. The breadboard antenna supports omni-directional with circular polarization with an ultra-miniaturized form factor.

The project aim to develop and qualify a 10W linear Q-band Solid State Amplifier (SSA) with the best possible trade-off between conflicting requirements of compactness, performance and industrial producibility and with a wide operating bandwidth, 37.5 to 42.5 GHz, in order to fulfill any customer request with minimal adaptations in multiple programmes.

A 10W linear Q-band SSA was already developed on an Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) project (KALOS DEVAQ) up to TRL5. This activity aims at an optimization of mass by use of fewer and more powerful Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), followed by qualification (TRL7) of the complete equipment.

CASSIS aims at globally connecting ‘users-on-the-move’ to the internet at high speed and low cost. The technology developed on this activity consists of a low-profile electronically steerable antenna for LEO, which aims to provide SATCOMs on the move, at high frequency, bandwidth and throughput, for low-cost and production scalability in the automotive sector.

This study explores the transition to lead-free soldering in the space  industry due to EU regulations like RoHS and REACH. It highlights the  challenges of reliability, such as higher reflow temperatures and tin  whisker formation, while presenting the Innolot solder alloy as a leading  candidate. Future efforts focus on optimizing materials and  industrializing processes for enhanced performance and sustainability  in space applications.

The VISTAM project aims at the realization of a High Power Amplifier module operating in V-band (59 – 71 GHz) with 10 W Output Power. These two features enable inter-satellite telecom links with 10 Gbps capacity and up to 5000 km link distance, taking advantage of wide band channel and high-order modulation schemes

The activity aims to prototype DOG-1, a multi-mode receive modem, compliant to the optical CCSDS specifications and able to process up to 10Gb/s. The modem addresses both high and low intensity laser reception by using hard decision decoding and state-of-the-art soft decision decoding. DOG-1 will address the market need for very high bandwidth CCSDS compliant optical receive modem which can be deployed in a varienty of missions: LEO Earth observation to deep space data relays.

STORM is a comprehensive platform that transforms static spectrum allocations into a dynamic commercial marketplace. It enables efficient management and trading of satellite spectrum resources, making space connectivity more accessible and affordable for IoT and other services.

Project AO-LIMA aims to enhance optical and quantum communication systems by demonstrating innovative III-V avalanche photodiodes (APDs) operating at a 1550 nm wavelength, offering substantial performance improvements over commercially available InGaAs APD devices

The rise in radio spectrum applications and users has made signal interference a critical issue in the satellite industry, which operates within tight frequency allocations. This activity explores using aerial mobile platforms to detect unauthorized transmitters and enhance spectrum management. The airborne platform aims to assist in the final stages of geolocation, also known as the last-mile geolocation.

This project aims to develop a multi-dimensional QKD system using hybrid time-energy and polarisation entanglement for secure key generation. It incorporates frequency multiplexing to enhance noise tolerance, ensuring robust satellite-to-ground communication. The approach offers improved security, higher key rates, and resilience against environmental disturbances compared to existing QKD solutions.

Within the MOCA project AMOS develops a medium-size (1m-2m) optical communication antenna product for high-performance use cases. Its design, including adaptive optics technology, is optimised for optical communications and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). The goal is to propose robust and cost-effective optical antennas for demanding links.

This project deals with the development, and qualification of a commercially viable satellite terminal, build around a phased array antenna, that meets the requirements of Satellite Communication Networks, operating in full Ku band (including the GreeCom assigned ITU APP.30B band).

CRETIAS can serve GreeCom and Govsatcom users that have a clear need for rapid deployment of high throughput connectivity across their organisations providing fast, reliable and ultraportable network access. 

The project aims at the development of a single MMIC featuring a RF to Base Band Direct Quadrature Demodulator operating in the V-band allocated by ITU for the Feeder Up Link communication of the new wideband VHTSS systems.

Unlock the future of high-power CubeSat missions with PowerCube—a revolutionary 100W deployable solar array that delivers five times the power density of existing solutions. Designed with origami-inspired folding technology and cutting-edge composite materials, PowerCube combines mass / volume efficiency, high-performance solar cells and ease-of-use for even the most demanding space missions. This game-changing technology, now at TRL 6, is ready to redefine possibilities for telecommunications, Earth observation, and beyond. 

Stay powered, stay ahead—discover PowerCube.
 

Super Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles (SHLVs) could revolutionise the satellite communications industry, but their precise impact on satellite design, costs, and downstream applications remains unclear. This study examines SHLVs' disruptive potential, the mechanisms of change, and the scale of their impact. It also identifies necessary early-stage activities and investments to maximise the opportunities offered by SHLVs.

LPASAAD targets the demonstration of a new ground segment antenna concept that utilises low cost steering technology based on liquid crystals. The final objective is to design, manufacture and test an antenna breadboard representative of a low profile, electronically scanning transmit–receive Ka band User Terminal antenna, whose re-configurability function is based on liquid crystal devices.

Development of critical technologies that are needed for developing jamming detection and mitigation techniques for satellite Internet of Things (IoT) gateways as a counter-measure against security threats. This is done by an enhancement of the already used E-SSA and NB-IoT protocols (being part of the background of the proposers), which will be compared in terms of anti-jamming capabilities.

Over 90% of international trade and millions of passengers worldwide rely on marine transportation. However, illegal fishing, smuggling, oil theft, and piracy pose a direct challenge to marine transportation. The Maritime Awareness Services system fuses multiple data-sources ranging from Earth Observation, SAR, Radio Frequency and AIS and applies ML models to support insurance compliance officers, marine security and search and rescue end users with enhanced dark vessel detection, identification and route predictions at an order of magnitude better than current alternative systems.

Development of a Ka-to W-band frequency up-converter for use as a payload component in high-capacity feeder link systems. European state-of-art MMIC technologies are used for the development of the functional blocks. Superior performances, ideally at the level of the current lower frequency converters, are sought, in order to guarantee the quality of the signal operating in W-band.

To develop a system (i.e., a protocol stack) that integrates satellite links (beyond line-of-sight) and terrestrial links (line-of-sight) in the 5030-5091 MHz band to provide seamless C2 communications for unmanned aircraft, UAVs.

Development of an Internet of Things (IoT) satellite communications (satcom) device for teaching IoT and satcom in schools, industry and public institutions. The small and innovative IoT device can be used standalone on its own, or be integrated onto educational platforms such as LEGO, Arduino, micro:bit, and similar.