Projects

NanoSpace has under this contract continued to develop a gauging system to predict the residual propellant on-board satellites in orbit. The target market is medium and large satellites in Geo-synchronous orbits. The main value lies in capability to predict end-of-life with high accuracy – for a typical satellite down to a few weeks. A first engineering model has been designed, built, and tested together with propellant tanks up to 368 litres within this contract. Test results have demonstrated accuracies between 0.07% to 0.35%, depending of amount of gas injected. Test results compared with EcosimPro-simulations shows excellent agreement.

The objective of this activity was to increase the robustness and speed of the EEE parts procurement and testing of the Regys20 gyrometer for space applications. This comprised of 2 main work packages: i) EEE parts procurement transfer from Syderal to Sagem, through a CPPA (centralized parts procurement agent), and ii) the robustification of the testing process. This latter WP consists of 4 main points of improvement:
- 2 additional two-axes rate tables were qualified to avoid a bottleneck in the AIT process
- The EEPROM management process was enhanced with multiple checks to avoid human operator error and detect read/write errors
- The calibration process was robustified to automatically detect out-of-family-behaviour
- The test sequence was automated to allow weekend and night-time automated testing and save considerable time.
The combination of the above 2 WPs has considerably increased the competitiveness of the Regys20 and increased the robustness of the AIT process.

The design of a T/R Ku-band electronically steerable antenna based on a horizontal integration has considered various approaches, covering both technological and system aspects, enabling the realization of a low-cost architecture. The antenna uses the available aperture for both Tx and RX functions and the RF components are integrated in a single horizontal board which allows an effective manufacturing process and avoid the need for complex mechanical structures and RF connectivity.

The objective of the study is to develop and validate a digital test bench for use during AIT and IOT for all C-band to Ku-band payloads, exploiting innovative and rapid RF test techniques to significantly reduce the overall test schedule. Furthermore extension to Ka-band payloads and RF interface using optical fiber are designed.

In the frame of this project Tesat designed, manufactured and tested a BB and an EM of an Electronic power conditioner (EPC) for Very High Power S-Band TWT with 500W.

In the frame of this activity an innovative Ku-band high power reconfigurable multibeam broadcast antenna has been designed, with the development and test of a demonstrator model. The most promising payload solutions suitable to support the present application in terms of both antenna configuration and front-end architecture have been identified and investigated in detail. This extended trade-off activity led to an innovative antenna solution consisting of a Confocal antenna configuration fed by an aperiodic feed array.
The designed Confocal antenna architecture, associated with sparse/aperiodic array feeding system, creates an innovative approach capable to fulfill the reconfigurable regional coverage mission in Ku-band, with full array operation and then full reconfiguration capability, full power allocation flexibility and graceful degradation, minimizing the number of controls.

The objective of this ARTES3-4 project is to study and to design a multi-reflectors pallet antenna. This new antenna product is envisaged to generate several coverages from one antenna structure and one single deployment. The design drivers of the product are the capability to accommodate several reflectors from 2 to 5, with different diameters varying from 1600mm to 900mm, a focal length varying from 1.9m to 3.2m. The reflector mounted on the pallet shall be able to operate in Ku and Ka frequency bands, and to realise mono beam and multibeams misions. Moreover, the pallet product shall be compatible of small launchers and several platforms like Spacebus, Eurostar and Alphabus. This antenna should be accommodated in double deployment. All these characteristics are considered to design this new product.

Pre-development and testing of cell assembly technology based on GaAs multi-junction solar cells on 20 µm and 80 µm Ge.
System level study and trade-off of the ultra-thin GaAs multi-junction solar generator.

This project addresses the design, development and industrialization of a novel Ka band bidirectional Fly-Away terminal.
The terminal is intended for basic broadcasting users and for more demanding performance applications as well.

The target of this project was to develop a new range of EPC that allows SSPAs to replace Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) in
the power range and allows a significant improvement on implementation aspects for some applications. The EPC is able to provide up to 250W with efficiency over than 90%.

The aim of the project is to develop and qualify through an EM/PFM approach specific modules and building blocks for a competitive PCDU

For now several years, the RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) insertion issue is a very hot topic both in the US and in Europe, and the Command and Control (C2) link is one of the most important technological challenges to be addressed.

Regulatory and standardization bodies (especially ICAO, EUROCAE, JARUS) are making progress on this topic. Nevertheless, the work in front of us is still significant.

CERES study aimed, generally speaking, at supporting this effort and, in particular, at fostering the development of an adequate framework for the development of an appropriate C2 link satellite communication capability, by analysing the potential performances and security requirements as well as standard needs.

Furthermore, CERES complemented this top down approach by a bottom up approach, via the analysis of potential satcom candidate systems wrt. these requirements and needs.

The project is composed of 3 topics aimed to improve harness mass, cost and performances:
1 - Improvement of waveguide harness attachment solutions
2 - Evolution of waveguide materials and processes
3 - Diversification and consolidation of supplier panel

The objective of the project was to identify the best potential opportunities for European satellite service providers to engage in service delivery over integrated satellite and terrestrial networks.

Composite overwrapped pressure vessels are difficult to inspect for damage, particularly with respect to stress-rupture, creep and damage fibres embedded within the epoxy resin composite. To mitigate this risk of failure due to undetected damages, tanks are manufactured with significant margins and are thus “over engineered” in terms of flight needs. The project’s aim is to design a demonstrator of health monitoring system capable of detecting potentially dangerous damages and thus increasing safety of the vessels. The monitored vessels could be subsequently manufactured with smaller margins which result in their lower weight and reduced operation cost.

The Webraska project aims to develop and deploy innovative wireless real-time navigation services in Europe using two different satcom networks and terminals.

SEDNET is dedicated to the development
of an interactive retail TV experience with satellite
broadcast in the forward channel and SMS as the tool
for response, ordering and marketing. The SEDNET
product will enable NetCast customers to receive
dynamic, interactive media broadcasts over one-way
satellite communications.

The RTI-TVS project will be the first demonstrator enabling viewers to immerse themselves
into an "Edutainment / Game TV Show" and to compete
in teams with the physical protagonists of the show. The
project intends to strengthen the use of advanced
satellite communication technology and facilities using
the new DVB-MHP iTV standard. An appropriate 2D/3D
authoring and rendering application for "Edutainment /
Game TV Shows" has been implemented using a
background 2D/3D engine generator for virtual spaces.

Development and prototyping of a map-based news group service for laptops and tablet PC's via VSAT networks and Wi-Fi local access.

This project is dedicated to the production
of an application software suite for a multicast
management platform including an advanced Forward
Error Correction (FEC). One of the future applications of
this project is the distribution of digital assets such as
movies to the projection locations.

The MUTIS (Multimodal Traffic Information
Services) project is aiming at the attraction of the
Danube waterway through the introduction of new
advanced telematic applications. The work contains two
parts, the first part is the demonstration of the
integration of new communication concepts for the
generation of Traffic Information in the Eastern
European countries, and the second part is the
integration of the generated traffic information in a
MUTIS database.

TEMOS' objective is to establish a globally
active satellite based competence network which will
optimise the medical care of humans (tourists and
business travellers) in today's mobile society. This
network will be open for all interested hospitals and
medical institutions such as general practitioners or
assistance companies who agree to accept and apply the
TEMOS quality criteria as developed within the
framework of the project.

The WGStargate Gateway developed in
this project will enable Internet Access for public use
and private enterprise communications combining
Satcom with terrestrial technology such as
UMTS/HSDPA/WIMAX/EvDo. The WGStargate system
will enable cruise liners, public transportation vehicles,
etc. to have high speed Internet access on the move
and in remote places and to provide the Internet service
to their clients through an intelligent bandwidth
management algorithm that limits the bandwidth used
by the clients and that assures bandwidth availability for
enterprise communication at all times.

The objective of the project was to develop Forsway´s one-way Internet over satellite gateway, Mímir, into a carrier grade solution for operators of all sized.

The Hamlet Project provides for the full
integration of different media's didactic-pedagogical
possibilities, and for the creation of an open and flexible
learning environment, which is characterised by a both
synchronic and diachronic didactic strategy, and served
by satellite communications integrated with terrestrial
based Internet connection. The environments provided
by the Hamlet platform will be: the Orientation Portal,
the Videoteque, the Virtual Library, the Virtual
Laboratory, and the Didactic Cyberspace. Videochat with
the teacher-telematic tutor, face to face, discussion
forums, e-mail and links will be supported.

The ADMiNiSTRA project is addressed at
developing an integrated communication system and
associated applications allowing public institutions to
receive as well as to transmit their multimedia contents
- through satellite - towards their own end
users/citizens. The result will be the setting up of a
satellite network called "ADMiNiSTRA Business
Television" dedicated to the Public Administration.

SatElections is a pilot project dedicated to
the realisation of a satellite based system and
associated applications of E-Training and voting data
transmission in support of the programme of effective
electoral assistance sponsored by the task force on
electoral assistance set up by UNDP, the EC and the
international organisation IDEA. The project is executed
in partnership with the Independent Electoral
Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

SENSIBLE (Satellite Enhanced Network System for flexIBLE bandwidth management) is a project aimed at the creation of a system to optimise the satellite bandwidth usage and, at the same time, to guarantee user's critical services such as VOIP, tele-conference, GSM, etc.
The core of the system is the detection of the users´ active services and the dynamic bandwidth allocation to the terminals included in the same administrative domain.

The objective of the Crocus project
(CROss-CUltural Satellite services for immigrant
communities in Europe) is to disseminate multimedia
and interactive didactic units for first and second
language learning and intercultural education via
satellite to schools, cultural centres, libraries, training
agencies and associations of immigrants.

The main benefit obtained with the
SAGAN project is freeing the booking operator from
deciding which are the best transmission plans to fulfil
the user requests and obtain a good utilisation of
satellites' resources. Thus, the human intervention will
be reduced drastically and an improvement of the
booking system will be achieved.

T@HIS is a telemedical network connecting
physicians and hospitals over a new-generation satellite
network based on the recently launched AmerHis
payload on the AMAZONAS satellite. Within the project
three remote clinics in Amazonas, Para states in Brazil
have been connected to a referral hospital in Porto
Alegre. The dominant type of images transferred over
the system is ultrasound images, acquired from portable
or stationary ultrasound devices.

The Workflow and Broadcast Tools product allows broadcasters to improve efficiency and reduce costs by digitising content and providing a number of significant production benefits, before the transmission process.

SkyNurse intends to develop an operating
centre for the delivery of distance education and
residential courses directed at nursing personnel in non-
EU countries in order to employ the trained personnel in
EU hospitals and health care centres. SkyNurse also
aims to improve nursing practice throughout the EU
developing standard distance learning models suitable
for national and international use and preparing learning
materials that will offer uniform education, cultivate a
harmonious professional background and promote
standardized nursing procedures. The project has been
piloted with an actual group of nursing staff in Romania
prior to their recruitment in the Italian healthcare
system.

A DVB-RCS platform with shared hub for multiple service providers.

The objective of this project is to
implement a dual use network (commercial and
emergency management uses) which is ready at all
times to immediately respond to the requirements of a
crisis or failure of terrestrial connections. A number of
specific hardware and software features will be
developed, typical user configurations built and a pilot
network operated.

The Remote Community Services
Telecentre (RCST) is a satellite based, shared-use
facility (telecentre) that is implemented in remote
communities to provide telelearning, telehealth, small
business and rural development, communications and
information access services. RCST would become a
shared resource for a community or region, a common
point through which a variety of services should be
concentrated for cost effective service delivery.

The REACH project aims to create a cost
effective, commercially viable, medical home care
solution which will include videoconference, remote vital
sign monitoring, and satellite telecommunications
technologies applied to the field of Tele-Psychiatry. The
project makes available a solution that meets the
treatment needs of Assertive Community Treatment
(ACT) teams in Canada and their patients/clients,
determines whether the solution can substantially
reduce the treatment costs of ACT teams by enabling
the teams to substitute many "travel visits" by "virtual
visits". The project aims to assess the solution by
establishing a pilot project that treats 20 real patients.

Vsatnet.com has developed a basic ADSL-like Internet access service via satellite with brand name: SatXpress.

CollaBOD is an integrated Bandwidth-on-Demand management system developed to control satellite circuits in real time and fill a gap betwen users.