Projects

The project objectives are the design, development and qualification of an EQM unit of the APSS -Active Pixel Sun Sensor, together with the definition of flight opportunities for the sensor.

The ADAMv2 project aims to extend the features of key components in DVB-RCS hubs. It also aims to provide a new key component: AMCS, which provides essential management and control functions within the hub.

The objectives of this project are the study and development of a new version of the InfraRed Earth Sensor IRES based on the extensive in flight experience of previous IRES NE ones.

The scope of the ACCESS 2 project is the enhancement of the system management tools as well as the functional and hardware integration of the DVB-RCS terminal and POP-router, both activities focusing on the cost reduction objective.

This development project envisages evolving the previously developed Burst Mode Demodulator, version 1 (BMD-V1), in order to provide the demodulation of a complete bandwidth of 20 MHz, independent of the configuration of the carriers within that bandwidth.

The purpose of the iSatTV project is to establish solid roots for the development of an operational satellite-based interactive TV solution to be successfully deployed in China.

The objective of the project is to propose different axes to significantly lower the cost of COSPAS SARSAT beacons.

The project objective is to develop an improved version of existing Infrared Earth Sensor (IRES) for GEO multimedia satellite application, named STD15S-mk2.This new IRES will be a variant of an already in flight 1553 version (onboard EUROSTAR3000 and EXPRESS-AM satellites).

The initiative is to deploy an advanced communications system based on a regenerative payload on board the AMAZONAS satellite.

ALUSAT aims to optimise the operation of 2-way satellite networks by enabling maintenance procedures which minimize operational costs caused by service failures. This will maximise network availability and end user satisfaction.

The objective of this project is the development and qualification of a new version of Remote Data and Interface Units (RDIU) enabling to respond to a larger range of telecommunication payloads in a cost effective manner.

The aim is to develop a new transport protocol for the satellite link, which makes it efficient to use satellites in internet-based networks or multimedia applications while maintaining compatibility with existing applications and networks.

TV Beyond 2000 is one of the activities in which ESA has acted in a consultancy capacity to the Vatican Television Centre with the aim of improving their worldwide multimedia service initiatives.

The main objective of this project is to validate a new decoding algorithm for the DVB-S standard and to check its practical feasibility and possible implementation alternatives.

This project by Alcatel Alenia Space aims at developing a wideband highly integrated phase shifter up to an EQM with an EBB of the driver unit. This equipment will be one of the building blocks of next generation of flexible payloads.

Two parallel ESA studies have examined a lower-cost method of providing in-car European-wide satellite radio.

The project objective is to develop a series of booster amplifiers in C- and Ku band and a 10W C band block upconverter designated for the market of VSAT applications such as communication networks, internet services at remote locations, and backbones for rural telephony etc.

Developments in the RF product area provide solutions for outdoor equipment in interactive satellite terminals and increase Alcatel's market share.

The activity consist of a prototype development, technical verification and validation of a satellite-based communication system for managing emergency situations involving the use of earth observation techniques.

The project objective is to support the SatLabs working group recently set up to address the harmonisation of management and control planes of DVB-RCS, including the incorporation of a Connection Control Protocol (C2P).

The scope of the activity is to define the flight Thin Film Solar Cell Demonstration Module and to breadboard critical elements.

The aim of this study is to make an in-depth market, business and technical analysis, identifying and characterizing the most effective and affordable DVB-RCS services in the Latin American region and African continent.

The objectives of @BUS High Performance Constant Conductance Heat Pipe project is to develop, design and test new high performance heat pipes (in the range 500 to 700 Wm) with a limited weight target and constant conductance performances.

The aim of this project is to design, develop, manufacture and test a High performance Loop Heat Pipe for a deployable radiator (in the frame of AlphaBus program) and large power range applications.

The interest in heat pipes as a capillary driven heat transfer device is based on its ability to transport thermal energy at high rates and with small temperature gradients. So the main objective of this project is to develop a European High Temperature Constant Conductance Heat Pipe (HTCCHP) for Alphabus, because the present trend is to increase the operational temperature of dissipating units and consequently, the working temperature range of heat pipe networks.

The present study by Atos Origin has focused on if and how the Software Radio (SR) paradigm
might be envisaged for satellite telecommunications payloads.

This project is aimed at the identification, analysis and optimisation of adaptive Fading Mitigation Techniques (FMT) together with the corresponding protocols, signalling information and formats in order to significantly increase the efficiency of future broadband DVB-RCS based satellite systems.

The objective of the Next Generation Antenna (NGA) programme is to generate a range of advanced antenna solutions which meet the evolving Ku and Ka Band market requirements for increased flexibility and performance whilst also increasing value for money.

A new generation of PCU shall be developed in order to improve its competitiveness in terms of mass, efficiency, power modularity and above all cost.

The objective of this study is to identify potential applications and SkyLAN architectures and quantify the predicted technical and financial benefits as compared to the current GEO technology using larger and more complex satellites.

The scope of this project was to perform a survey of the main companies in competing countries outside Europe carrying out Satellite Communications Systems (SATCOM) technological development.

This project is aimed at providing to ESA a comprehensive understanding and perspective on the developing market for multimedia satellite services, within the context of the broader multimedia industry.

The study aims at identifying opportunities for European Union satellite operators and service providers in all countries acceding to the European Union in 2004 (Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia). In addition, a Desk Research study of telecomms capabilities of neighbouring countries (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, FR of Yugoslavia, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey) will be carried out.

This study aims at gaining a good understanding of the likely evolution of satellite broadcasting during the period 2001-2007 in order to adequately plan the required developments for the future generation of broadcasting satellites.

The survey moves from the identification of the Companies that are active in the Telecommunication Market and, through the characterisation of each Company profile, aims at defining the major areas for a possible co-operation between the Industry of Greece and the Agency.

The objective of this project is to conduct a study into the feasibility and viability of including a Short Messaging Service (SMS) within Galileo.

The ultimate technical goal is to qualify for 2006 / 2007 a life capable Hall effect thruster with specific impulse higher than 2500 s (50 % higher than the current state of the art) and a power as high as 5 kW (three times more than the current qualified European Hall effect thrusters).

The project defined the major areas for a possible cooperation between the Portuguese telecommunications industry and the Agency and identified the most appropriate initiatives to be set up by ESA Telecom.