ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10001
Open Date: 22/10/2019
Closing Date: 17/12/2019 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.1EP.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 / Baseband equipment / Telemetry and Telecommand equipment, Tracking, Ranging and Doppler measurement equipment, CODECS, …
Technology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / Telecommunication Systems/Subsystems / Telecom Signal Processing / RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / Telecommunication Systems/Subsystems / Telecom Equipment
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Department
Contract Officer: Erkelens-Sickinger, Franziska
Industrial Policy Measure: C2 – Activities in open competition, significant partecipat…
Last Update Date: 22/10/2019
Update Reason: Tender issue

Satellite-based broadband telecommunications are currently experiencing an unprecedented boost in terms of technology innovations and performance. A number of very innovative and efficient VHTS (Very High Throughput Systems) have been recently announced with the capability to deliver in the order of one terabit/s total user link throughput both via GEO or LEO orbits. It is foreseen that, following the increasing user needs of high speed connectivity, the next generation VHTS (EHTS – Extremely High Throughout Systems) willbe able to deliver tens of terabit/s throughput and user peak rates of multi Gbps. Throughputs in the order of 10-15 Gbps are required by large cruise ships within the next 4-5 years. This is in principle possible by exploiting the full 2.5 ghz of the Ka band as well as the highest spectral efficiency modes supported in DVB-s2x. This activity will start with an analysis of the requirements ofauser terminal operating in Ka band in future EHTS systems. Given the target throughput, the application scenarios are related to internet access of passenger entertainment of large mobile platforms (ships and airplanes). Next, the architectural design of a Ka band terminal targeting 15 Gbps throughput in the forward link will be performed. This will include both the digital modem and the RFfront. Extensive tests at computer simulation levels including the models of all the channel impairments will prove the effectiveness of the modem design. The detailed design and development of the terminal DVB-S2x modem will be completed using as much as possible COTS fast prototyping components. This will include the design of the firmware and software required to support the full set of the modem functionalities. The derived prototype will then be tested in a realistic laboratory environment.Procurement Policy: C(2) = Arelevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information pleasego to EMITS news „Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.