PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
In this project, cost effective high performance Radio Frequency Transmitters (RFT) for Multimedia Ground Terminals will be developed.
Multimedia Ground Terminals have to support varying traffic loads over time. This requires high flexibility and a dynamic range of data rates to be supported by each terminal. The MF-TDMA access technology addresses this flexibility, but requires a higher transmit power to support the dynamic range resulting in more expensive RFTs. The RFT significantly contributes to the total costs of the Multimedia Terminal. Therefore ND SatCom believes, that for the overall success of Multimedia Ground Terminals this cost portion has to be reduced. The development of RFTs addresses C-Band (5W, 10 W, and 40 W units) and Ku-Band (4W, 8W, and 20 W units).
Challenges
Key issues addressed in the project are cost reduction combined with high quality. ‘High quality’ has two major aspects:
- The RFT shall allow its smooth and trouble-free deployment at almost any place on the world like deserts, polar regions, tropic areas, high mountains, shore and off-shore withstanding tough environmental conditions.
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All relevant national and international standards as well as satellite operators’ requirements shall be met.
Plan
The complete development will be accomplished in two prototype phases. The first prototype will be used for proof of concept and first design iterations. This phase will be completed at the end of 2002. 2003 will start with a redesign leading to the 2nd prototype phase. Based on an integrated 2nd prototype system (available the middle of 2003) performance verification and integrity testing will commence. The goal of this will be to release it for production at the end of 3rd quarter of 2003.
Current Status
The Project is Completed.