Projects

This study posits a design and delivery solution for a multi-orbital layered satellite constellation, researching capability gains exploiting a cross-vertical space segment. It discusses technology and economic freedoms and constraints, and identifies markets aligned to a multi layered satcom solution.

The project studies the applicability of virtualisation and softwarisation technologies to satcom network platforms. It will determine the benefits and the challenges associated with the integration of satellite infrastructures into future cloud networks.

EdgeSAT explores the applicability and implementation of edge networking concepts in satellite networks in order to identify and characterise the resulting opportunities for Satellite Network and Service providers as well as Satellite terminal manufacturers. As part of this mission, it specifies and validates a SatCom enabled edge node.

The SPECSI project examined the role of satellites in future communication networks and applications in 2020-25. It studied emerging ICT trends to identify future opportunities for satcom and their associated system propositions. The outputs of the study are designed to help ESA understand how the European and Canadian satellite industry can be best supported through its ARTES programme.

A low-cost actuator (BGA name “LA15”) was designed minimising manufacturing costs and assembly labour effort. The selected design was successfully tested in the frame of two different test campaigns proving the suitability for all kinds of space mechanisms.

THRIMOS addresses the current need for automated, optimized and systematic RF measurement tasking driven by factors associated with increased space object catalogue, especially for NGSO, for optimized RF ground infrastructure and RF-link usage.
In addition, the THRIMOS web-based interface provides a user-friendly multi-user experience for any distributed team involved in the RF management tasking enterprise.
 

Archangel Lightworks are performing demonstrations to prove the viability of free space optical links within 5G backhaul architectures in simulated real-world conditions. In an environment where spectrum is constrained and expensive, this project offers a pathway to more capable and resilient connectivity for 5G networks, demonstrating important benefits in vital areas like disaster response and Critical National Infrastructure networking.

This project covers the realization of an innovative Frequency Converter prototype of the WIF2C product meant to be used for LEO/MEO/GEO applications. Its concept differentiates from existing solutions by its integrated, flexible, modular and configurable design able to support multiple wideband frequency up/down conversion chains for current telecom satellite platforms and future trends.

Receiver4TC project aims to enhance SpacePNT’s standard NaviLEO/NaviMoon spaceborne GNSS Receiver technology to provide a dedicated solution for large LEO Telecom Constellations that require scalable batch production capabilities, high reliability and precise positioning, timing and synchronization onboard each satellite.

A study to assess the feasibility of D-band satellite links in the context of 6G satellite systems.

Artificially intelligent satellites and communication systems, once solely the province of science fiction, are now a reality. Recent advances have equipped the latest generation of space platforms with new levels of autonomy, awareness and resilience.

CGI have collaborated with the European Space Agency (ESA) and industry to develop the Autonomous Satellite Solutions (AUTSS) platform, an artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) accelerator for the Satcoms industry.

CGI has created AUTSS to address the unique engineering challenges of Space. AUTSS combines CGI’s 50 years of experience in the European and North American Space industry with: optimised hardware; Machine-Learning-as-a-Service (MLaaS); and bespoke AI tooling. The platform offers substantial reductions in the cost, time and risk required to explore how AI can improve your business.

The objective of the project is to develop a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Modem for addressing Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) functions in satellite testing Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) systems and simulation environments for telecom market and ground stations market.

The FLEX-SPACE 5G project develops a versatile, comprehensive, and fully integrated "5G-NTN-in-a-Box" solution, facilitating end-to-end testing of 5G-NR NTN systems. The solution includes UE, gNB, core network SW based on the OAI LEO NTN solution, as well as an interface to CELEOS, the in-house developed LEO channel emulator.

The ML4OC project explored and demonstrated machine learning (ML) models which addressed specific challenges in space-to-ground optical acquisition systems and novel optical space network optimisation.

The suitability and properties of TSMC N7 are evaluated for use in Space Applications. INFINIT aims to develop a basic set of radiation-hardened cells and characterize their radiation performance along with a collection of foundry standard cells as a reference, to get a deep understanding of the technology itself as well as selected radiation mitigation techniques. 

Virtualization and orchestration of satellite ground components to define, control, manage and share digitalized services/resources provided by high throughput satellites and terrestrial networks, within a 
multi-domain network infrastructure. New added-value services by multiple virtual service providers are possible, fully exploiting satellite characteristics while reducing service costs and improving operational aspects. 
 

5G-GOA develops and implements the necessary modifications in the 5G New Radio standard to enable the direct radio access of terrestrial communication networks via satellite, a 5G RAN via satellite closely following the 3GPP Work Item on Non-Terrestrial-Networks. The hardware and software development relies on and uses existing technologies, hardware and software components already available from the open-source project OpenAirInterface for the prototyping of 5G terrestrial systems. Our solution is directly based on 3GPP discussions and results and covers physical layer techniques (e.g. synchronisation) up to specific protocols and upper layer implementations (e.g. timers and random-access procedure) of the radio access network, as needed. 5G-GOA focuses on geostationary satellite systems.

The Foresig testbed simulates a high-throughput SatCom system that uses meteorological forecast data and user terminal channel quality data to mitigate tropospheric attenuation. Input data to the simulator are NWP and weather radar data available through APIs, verified by real user terminal data and beacon receiver data. The simulated mitigation techniques include smart gateways, ACM and reconfigurable antennas.

The project aims to Develop a 5G compliant gNodeB (gNB) and User Equipments (UE), adapted for Non Terrestrial Network uses, and to verify its feasibility by both emulating and using a satellite radio link adapted for 5G uses.

RELINO aims to test the reliability of high-speed (>55 GHz) electro-optic modulators. The modulators are based on thin-film lithium niobate and are manufactured by Versics AG. The reliability study includes environmental, endurance, constructional, mechanical and control tests.

Railway operators and infrastructure managers face the challenge of having to provide connectivity everywhere. Between 2025 and 2035, Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) will gradually replace GSM-R, which will both pose a 5G-related challenge and provide the opportunity to leverage a variety of communication bearers to cover the entire railway network, thus contributing to enable railway applications such as autonomous trains, European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS) signaling and predictive maintenance.

Non-Orthogonal Access for Satellite Uplink Efficiency Improvement: Developing and testing a new scheme to enhance return link throughput, and assessing performance in both a live system demonstrator and an over-the-air end-to-end system demonstrator.

In this project, we investigate lens antennas as a cost-effective solution for the ground terminal in on-the-move satellite communications links. The developed antennas provide attractive features like high directivity, wide angle steerable radiation, low cost, and compact size, and the antennas are intended for use onboard high-speed vehicles such as trains or trucks.

The objective of project TUNO is to develop compact and innovative tunable notch filters below 6GHz for VSAT applications on the basis of the reference specs that are present in the ITT’s SOW. Two breadboard (BB) models and one engineering model (EM) will be manufactured and experimentally verified to fully validate the concepts. The project duration is 24 months. The target TRL is 5-6.

The development of a framework for RF inter-satellite links to enable system designers and equipment manufacturers to specify and design against a common set of system, sub-system, and equipment requirements.
A proposed framework for standardising ISL systems was produced including the management,

UniCore develops a prototype 5G New Radio (NR) reference User Equipment (UE) capable of supporting both Terrestrial Networks (TN) and Non-terrestrial Networks (NTN) incorporating a portable protocol stack. The Reference UE will allow UE manufacturers to accelerate the timescales of their related developments in their overall 5G UE development and test programmes.

LEO-DIVE aims to develop and test multi-satellite diversity techniques in large Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations to combat the detrimental effects of shadowing, multipath fading and channel blockage events, both in high- and low-frequency scenarios, with the goal of increasing the perceived QoS at user terminals (UTs) side. LEO-DIVE diversity techniques are adapted to the 3GPP 5G NR Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) specification.

The objective of the study is to develop (design, manufacture and test) an Engineering Model for a Feed system relevant for HTS application working simultaneously in User (K/Ka band) and Feeder (Q/V band) link in Tx and Rx mode with a compact envelope able to be accommodated in a feed cluster.

Investigation of Type 3 Storage Vessels in a re-entry environment to get a better understanding of the demise characteristics, and possible ways to mitigate the risk of ground impact of spacecraft components.

The EPFB project explores the feasibility of implementing a full pump fed system for a MMH/MON CPS, limiting or even avoiding the PCA. The absence of an high pressure feeding system results in the optimization of the propellants fluidic line, leading to lower tank masses and thickness, and to the reduction of the number of necessary fluidic components such as valves, orifices, and pressure regulators. A reduction in the spacecraft bulky components leads to savings in terms of mass budget, and , consequently cost.

ESA asked for a demanding wide band RF passive combiner to be considered as the essential part of a Spatial Power Combining Amplifier for Ground application. 
Having in mind such objective, the developed enabling technologies resulted in a dispositive able of meeting the severe requirements opening a line of interest on multi-band amplifiers development.
 

This activity develops an on-board eNB capable of overcoming the technical challenges of using standards that aren’t originally conceived for satellite communications, preferably compatible with small satellite platforms. The eNB is integrated in a testbed capable of emulating different scenarios and relevant channel impairments to validate its performance in realistic conditions.

A Proof-of-Concept Demonstrator (POCD) demonstrating wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) around 1064 nm wavelength to increase the data rate of the current generation of laser communication terminals.

This activity develops and validates integrated passive waveguide feeders at Q, V and W-band for the feeder links in Very High Throughput Satellite systems. It uses new manufacture techniques to reduce the assembly needs and provide performance gain.

High-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS) are aircrafts (airplanes, airships or balloons) positioned above 20 Km altitude, ideally designed to fly for a long time in the stratosphere, providing services conventionally served by artificial satellites orbiting the Earth. This activity has to be understood in the context of a renewed interest in HAPS as assets for providing different services, especially telecommunications and remote sensing for civilian or military applications.

The Health-AI project developed an innovative onboard Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery system powered by Artificial Intelligence. Data-centric approaches offer an array of advantages compared to traditional implementations, such as early identification of anomalies, autonomous anomaly classification, predictive health monitoring, and a reduced dependency on ground operations.

Using non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) techniques with a novel, frequency agnostic air interface for uncoordinated IoT communication over extremely low link margin satellite links operating with signal-to-noise-ratios down to below Ec/No = -40 dB

ACROSS-AIR explores the needs, requirements, opportunities, and potential solutions for establishing effective broadband satellite communication services to rotary wing aircraft, including helicopters, commercial UAVs, and UAMs platforms. The consortium analyses the State-of-the-Art, identifies Use Cases and requirements, and performs system level modeling, simulation and analysis. Finally, technical and non-technical gaps are identified and a related roadmap is created.

The focus of this Project is to develop and validate in a laboratory environment a MMIC Multiplexer operating in K/Ka-Band, capable of enabling hybrid terrestrial/satellite 5G communications and compatible with technologies based on flat-panel antennas, identifying possible use cases in the framework of 5G communications which can benefits from this technologies.