Projects

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.

Through its activities, ALIX supports the satellite communication community to engage with 3GPP in order to develop contributions and advocate positions favourable to the SatCom sector within the 3GPP standardisation process such that they result in tangible industrial opportunities.
The project gathers organizations from the satellite communication community each holding key positions in 3GPP and ETSI as contributors, rapporteurs of study items or chairmanship of Working Group.

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.

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.

This study aims to identify synergies between SatCom and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT, but blockchain in pàrticular) as well as the preliminary definition for the architecture most suited for the implementation of a SatCom+DLT mission.

The project studies the best approach for implementing feeder links in future Non-Geostationary communication constellations:

• RF feeder link using Super High Frequency bands (Ka or Ku)

• RF feeder link using Extremely High Frequency EHF (Q/V and/or W)

• Optical feeder links

Different Low Earth Orbit (LEO) scenarios are implemented to simulate the feeder link designs with a focus on topology, implementation, operations and service-level impacts.

SatNEx IV activities aim to study medium/long term directions of satellite telecommunication systems for any of the commercial or institutional applications that can be considered appealing by key players but still not mature enough for attracting industry or initiating dedicated ESA R&D activities.

Govsatcom services shall be provided to European Public Safety entities thanks to different means : classic commercial services, adequate procurement schemes to ensure immediate and guarantee access on either commercial assets or governmental assets, or dedicated Govsatcom assets. The aim of Securesat study is: first, to assess the Users and Mission requirements for Govsatcom communications, secondly to identify existing (or soon to be deployed) assets and adequate procurement models that can answer to these requirements,and then to identify the remaining gap and to define complementary new assets to fulfil the full set of requirements. The candidate solutions shall be evaluated through a trade-off to identify the best solutions (taking into account cost-effective parameters). Among the future assets, the development that could be part of a precursor will be identified and a first design will be realised.

The CYBERSAT project aims at investigating the effects of the current and upcoming cyber security regulations issued at European level on future satellite communication (SATCOM) systems and services.  The twofold objective is, on the one hand, to identify and analyse the cyber security regulations and to assess their impact on the design, development and operations of SATCOM systems; on the other hand, to identify new SATCOM service opportunities fostered by these regulations. 
 

Elaborate a vision and propose a strategy for the satellite telecom sector based on an innovative yet realistic technology roadmap, to both alleviate risks and exploit opportunities of the “Digital Disruption” that will affect most sectors of the world economy, and the IT and media industry in particular, in the coming decade.

Unhindered access to frequency spectrum is of fundamental importance to the whole satellite services sector and hence to the manufacturing industry it supports. This activity supported the satellite community both in the run-up and aftermath of the World Radio Conference 2019, and initiated preparation for the 2023 World Radio Conference.

The purpose of the project is to perform a study on the Integration of Satellite Backhauled HAPS in Future SATCOM Networks. The project covers a case selection and scenario definition, followed by a suitability analysis, identification of necessary adaptations in the 5G standard and development and validation of the adaptations. The project ends with the conclusions, roadmap and recommendations.

The output of this study is a roadmap of payload equipment supporting flexibility in the 5G environment.

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.

It is expected that commercial and statutory maritime communications will experience major changes during the next two decades.

The OpenSatCom project analyses the relevance of open-source methodology models for the satellite communications sector, where such models can provide benefits and how can the European Space Agency contribute to assist relevant existing or new open-source projects. Taking into account the recommendations derived several open-source sub-activities are implemented.

The objective of this project is the assessment of satellite networks technology evolutions that can mitigate the effect of satellite latency on the user quality of experience, so that satellite networks can be integrated more seamlessly within the 5G ecosystem.

The project studies applications of dynamic spectrum management techniques to Satellite communications, with the goal of quantifying the potential improvement in spectrum utilization that can be achieved by applying collaborative and dynamic spectrum allocation techniques.

The general objective of the activity is to identify promising services in case wearables can communicate directly with communications satellites within the next 5 years. Five short-term Proof-of-Concepts are demonstrated with current satellite IoT systems. 
The activity shall stimulate the discussions around wearable satcom and – more in general - shall trigger a notion that satcom could be economically an option for the wearable market.

METAMORPHOSIS will define (a) cross-industry cooperation opportunities offered to the European and Canadian satellite industry when considering the convergence of SatCom with the 5G terrestrial business/solutions/technologies/operational concepts for the targeted verticals of transport, media and public safety, (b) integrated satellite terrestrial reference architecture enabling service integration across different verticals, (c) technology development roadmaps and strategic actions necessary for the European & Canadian industry to be able to address these opportunities.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.