ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9485
Open Date: 03/09/2018
Closing Date: 17/10/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.112.10
Prog. Ref.: Technology Developme
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Ground Segment / Ground Station / Antennas / Structure & Thermal, Servo / Mechanics, Reflectors, feeds and diplexers, Antenna Control Units (ACUs), Drive Systems, …/ Ground Segment / Ground Station / Baseband equipment / Telemetry and Telecommand equipment, Tracking, Ranging and Doppler measurement equipment, CODECS, …
Techology Domains: Ground Station Systems and Networks / Ground Station System / Microwave and Optical Active/Passive Systems / Ground Station Systems and Networks / Ground Station System / TT&C, Radar and Optical Signal & Data Processing / Ground Station Systems and Networks / Ground Station System / Advanced Ground Station Design Concepts / Onboard Data Systems / Payload Data Processing / System Technologies for Payload Data Processing
Establishment: ESOC
Directorate: Directorate of Operations
Department: Ground Systems Engineering Department
Division: Ground Station Systems Division
Contract Officer: Bednarek, Maren
Industrial Policy Measure: C1 – Activities in open competition limited to the non-Larg…
Last Update Date: 03/09/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

Optical communications technology offers the potential of a dramatic increase in data-rates, specifically in the down-link of science data, thereby allowing for a substantial increase in science return. ESA prepares technologies necessary for the realization of afuture deep space optical communication capability. Direct detection technology using pulse position modulation (PPM) is regarded asthe preferred solution for “deep space” optical links [RD7]. The primary wavelengths being considered are in the 1550nm . Among thechallenges to be addressed prior to any implementation of an operational Deep-Space optical terminal is a highly sensitive, high-bandwidth optical detector. Single-photon counting detection capability is required for distances of several AU, and offers the best link efficiency even for much shorter distances (e.g. Moon). An intelligent 2D detector for initial pointing, acquisition and tracking of the satellite, as well as for reception of the high-rate communication signal (in a central, localized small region) while maintaining tracking / imaging capability (at longer integration times in the surrounding area) is thus needed.The Agency thus intendsto develop a near-single-photon-counting 2D tracking / communications detector array for optical communications in the 1550nm wavelength range with a very high bandwidth. The main critical area to address is the electro-optical and electrical performance (QE / band-width / dark counts / detection probability / false-alarm probability, etc.). Operational and life-time considerations (operatingtemperature, stability, etc.) shall also be given consideration. Furthermore, coupling of the detector to a large telescope is another fundamental issue.C1 : Activities in open competition limited to the-non-Large-System Integrators

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