STORM

Competitiveness & Growth

Status

Ongoing
Status date

2025-03-19
Activity Code

3A.219

Objectives

The objective of the STORM project is to transform the stagnant spectrum allocations into a dynamic commercial marketplace. STORM is a platform that leverages software-defined radios (SDR) in order to improve the management and allocation of radio frequency (RF) resources in the space sector. The allocation and utilisation of RF spectrum is managed by optimising the use of available spectrum resources and facilitating spectrum transfer.

STORM comprises both space and ground components to manage services on behalf of operators and organisation users including:

Satellites across different orbits.
Ground station gateways.
User terminals.
Data streaming.
Network management systems.

In doing so - the platform has the capability to open up and finally democratise access to space connectivity for the global IoT market by commercial enterprise.

Challenges

The key challenges likely involve technological complexity, market validation, and competitive differentiation. Primary risks include potential technical feasibility issues, uncertain market adoption, regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, and securing adequate funding.

Mitigation strategies would involve comprehensive risk assessment, robust technical development processes, early customer engagement, thorough market research, and maintaining flexibility in project execution. Successfully navigating these challenges requires a strategic approach, technical expertise, and adaptable project management.

Benefits

STORM, our proposed technology offers a transformative solution in the satellite telecommunications sector, addressing critical market gaps through innovative design and strategic technological advancement. By leveraging our unique approach, we aim to deliver a product that significantly improves upon existing competitor systems in performance, efficiency, and adaptability. The core value proposition lies in our ability to enhance telecommunications infrastructure through advanced technological capabilities that provide superior spectrum utilisation, reduced latency, and increased reliability. Our solution is specifically engineered to meet emerging market needs, anticipating future regulatory and commercial requirements.

Key competitive advantages include:

Cutting-edge technological innovation that pushes current technological readiness levels (TRLs).
Flexible architecture enabling seamless integration across multiple market segments.
Potential for generating spin-off developments and broader commercial applications.
Robust intellectual property strategy ensuring UK-centric technological development Our comprehensive market analysis indicates substantial potential for commercial adoption across telecommunications, satellite services, and emerging technology sectors.

By addressing current technological limitations and providing a forward-looking solution, we are positioned to deliver significant value to both immediate customers and the broader space industry ecosystem.

Features

STORM is a comprehensive platform that optimises and automates spectrum usage for satellite communications, enabling efficient resource allocation while reducing costs for operators and service providers. Its core capabilities include dynamic allocation of underused radio frequencies, real-time monitoring of spectrum utilisation, and robust interference mitigation.

STORM’s modular design comprises five key components:

STORM Portal – A user-friendly web interface for inputting requirements, viewing resource status, and generating reports.
STORM Front End – Handles user authentication, licence and compliance checks, location optimisation, and real-time application processing.
STORM Back End – Performs advanced allocation algorithms, orchestrates hardware like modems and antennae, and integrates with partner networks for seamless data flow.
APIs – Provide secure interconnections between STORM subsystems, external ground stations, satellites, and customer platforms, ensuring data exchange and control functions.
RBC Signals’ Ground Station-as-a-Service Platform – Delivers antenna steering, modem/power control, and scheduling services worldwide, extending STORM’s reach.

System Architecture

The STORM system architecture comprises five primary subsystems that together orchestrate dynamic spectrum allocation for satellite communications. The Portal serves as the user entry point, enabling them to submit requirements, track resource status, and generate reports. Behind it, the Front End handles essential functions such as licence processing, interference checks, compliance, security controls, and commercial checks. A robust Back End coordinates spectrum resources through advanced allocation algorithms, real-time monitoring, and interference mitigation. This back-end layer also integrates with ground stations and satellites, ensuring seamless data flows and service orchestration.

STORM’s APIs provide secure interfaces for internal and external communication, supporting modular interactions between user platforms, satellite operators, and the Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) infrastructure. Finally, RBC Signals’ GSaaS platform supplies global antenna control, modem and power management, plus real-time measurements, alarms, and scheduling. Together, these layers form a scalable, cloud-based system with strict security, interference management, and compliance capabilities. The overall architecture ensures rapid user onboarding, flexible resource allocation, and high levels of automation, thereby allowing multiple operators and customers to coordinate spectrum usage while maintaining optimal performance and security.

Plan

The project spans four development phases over 18 months. The Definition Phase establishes technical baselines and requirements. The Technology Phase focuses on risk mitigation, developing core components, and integration testing. The Product Phase completes product design, implementation, and verification. The Demonstration Phase validates the system in an operational environment through comprehensive testing with satellite operators, ground stations, and end-users. Major milestones include Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, Test Readiness Review, and Final Acceptance Testing.

Current status

The project is in the Definition Phase. The technical team is establishing requirements specifications. Work is underway to document key features, identify risks, and establish the technical baseline for the STORM platform. Planning for technology development has begun, with focus on spectrum management algorithms and security frameworks.