ARTES-5.1 – ESA Telecom Technology Workplan ... - Emits - ESA

Annex 2Page 5Ref. Activity Title Procurement Policy Budget(KEUR)Planned TenderIssueEstimated Duration(months)3A.034 Techniques and Technologies for Multi-spot Beam Ku-band Satellite Networks Open Competitive Tender Type: C 350 4Q 2009 12(09.153.22)Objective: To analyse mission opportunities of multi-beam Ku-band satellite communication systems; to derive optimum architectural design and system requirements in terms of services, flexibility andspace segment performance; to analyse, simulate and optimize system performance; to identify required technology improvements for Ku-band multi-beam payloads; to define payloadflexibility evolution and necessary developments.Description:Ku-band frequencies are less prone to atmospheric propagation effects than Ka-band. This makes Ku-band an option for areas with high annual rain rates (e.g. South East Asia, Africa, SouthAmerica and tropical regions) as an alternative to C-band for broadcast and VSAT networks. Two main streams of evolution can be foreseen for Ku-band satellite communication systems:i) a reinforcement of existing fleets of Ku-band satellites with a request for increased flexibility and efficiencyii) an introduction of a mix of advanced interactive and broadcasting services in Ku-band for those regions where the spectrum is still available or the Ku-band offers clear feasibility andavailability advantages.The activity will start with an analysis of the opportunity for this type of missions in particular targeting non-EU geographical areas, investigations of the propagation aspects and a review ofthe existing Ku-band multi-beam satellite technology (particularly on the payload and antenna side). Payload flexibility requirements, a system sizing and a high level architectural design ofthe payload will be derived based on a number of realistic user and traffic distributions and target coverage. Networking aspects relative to the combination of broadcast and interactiveservices shall also be tackled. A software emulator model of the payload shall be derived, including the electrical characterization of all the sub-systems with their flexibility aspects.Simulation tests shall then be performed to characterize the model in terms of input-output connectivity, transfer functions and signal to noise and intermodulation performance. The modelshall allow to trade-off different payload and sub-system configurations in terms of performances, complexity, flexibility, efficiency, mass, power and cost. Desirable technologyimprovements shall be identified to realise the mission opportunities in a cost efficient way.