ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10931
Open Date: 20/07/2021 15:35 CEST
Closing Date: 28/09/2021 13:00 CEST

The typical Lunar/planetary proximity communications scenario involves automated networks in space between autonomous systems, with autonomous adaptation to RF conditions, reprogrammability, 20 Mbps peer to peer, non-line-of-sight communication through obstacles and maximum range of 20 km. Such systems, typically for surface to surface or other peer-to-peer Lunar elements like (inside) Gateway, can leverage on spin-in from terrestrial wireless standards such as WiFi / WiMAX or LTE (Long-Term Evolution).This activity will focus on the adaptation of the existing terrestrial systems to the expected communications scenarios in Lunar or Mars missions, taking into account propagation conditions, expected Doppler, signal dynamics, multiple access networking requirements, extended range, etc. The activity will also investigate the adaptation of terrestrial Hardware for space application, also considering the space environment (radiations, etc). In that aim, the development will primarily target the transceiver/RF domain but will also include, at least in the requirements definition, impacts/implications on other data transmission layers like error correcting codes, automatic (re-)transmission, data buffering etc.The activity encompasses the following tasks:- Requirements capture at unit level for likely mission scenarios.- Study of existing terrestrial systems and trade-off between different solutions (e.g.. WiMAX vs. LTE, COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) vs. space components, etc.) supported by simulations at functional and performance levels. Regulatory analysis.-Definition and design of the needed adaptations to the existing terrestrial wireless equipment design.- Design and manufacture of breadboard (of 2 or 3 communication nodes) of critical functions.- Testing of the breadboard under representative RF conditions.- Assessment of the development path for making available equipment suitable for use in space applications including operation in space environment. Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to this link.

Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Franziska Isabella Erkelens-Sickinger
Initiating Service: TEC-EST
IP Measure: C1
Prog. Reference: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 6-C-IV-Proximity Link
Products Keywords: 2-L-4-a-Bent-pipe repeaters, regenarative transponders,…