OSSI | ESA CSC

System/ Network/ Protocols

Status

Ongoing
Status date

2022-12-22
Activity Code

3E.004

Objectives

The objectives of the project:

Demonstrate satellite-based IoT services in the frequency range 1500-5000 MHz
Develop and deploy protype user terminals supporting the demonstrations
Support preparatory work in the ITU with studies and results from measurements and IoT trials

Challenges

Some of the key challenges to this project are:

Wide bandwidth covering multiple types of frequency usage. This requires the front-end to have a very high dynamic range.
Furthermore, the wide bandwidth reduces component availability and performance
Short timeline for submitting studies to WRC-27 preparatory process.

Benefits

The payload is a software defined radio offering high adaptability both in transmission and reception. The wide frequency range combined with a capability to support radio functionality described in a high-level programming language, enables users to do experiments and tests without having to launch their own satellite.

The payload will also be capable to perform spectrum monitoring in potential IoT bands in the frequency range 1500 – 5000 MHz, this is invaluable for anyone needing data as a basis for frequency allocation in this range.

Features

The OSSI SDR payload features:

Software defined radio
- 1500-5000 MHz
- 5 dBW EIRP
- Capable of performing modulation of ALISA waveforms, and IQ sampling
- Arbitrary Waveform Generator
- Spectrum monitoring
X-band downlink, 100 Mbps +
Powerful processor
- Functionality can be defined with high level code such as Python
- Payload can be shared in time, power and bandwidth

System Architecture

Our proposed experimental IoT system to be used for the end-to-end experiments consists of the following elements:

A LEO satellite with IoT SDR payload and other payloads
A prototype user ground terminal built around a SDR hardware platform with mobile broadband connectivity for command and control
KSATLite compatibility
IoT experiment control and spectrum analysis software
A cloud server for storage of I/Q data

Plan

Phase 1 (June 2022 – November 2022):

Definition of use cases, operational concepts and requirements
Definition of requirements for the experiment, satellite and ground segment
Identification of requirements for satellite bus.

Phase 2 (December 2022 – May 2026):

Experiment, satellite and ground segment preliminary design (December 2022- June 2023)
Experiment, satellite and ground segment development and test (June 2023 – December 2023)
Embarkation of experiment payloads on host spacecraft and test plan consolidation (December 2023 – September 2024)
Experiment Execution (September 2024 – March 2026)
Lessons learned, exploitation plans and Final review

There will also be two separate activities happening alongside phase 1 and 2, but outside the scope of this activity: