ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10847
Open Date: 08/12/2021 09:42 CEST
Closing Date: 02/02/2022 13:00 CEST

The trend in signal processing functions for wireless systems is towards higher flexibility and integration in single chip design, to adapt to the diverse needs and during the system’s lifetime. This translates for instance into chipsets containing both programmable digital signal processing (e.g. FPGA) and Radio Frequency (RF) back-end functions such as Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) operating directly in RF. Similar approaches are being investigated for satellite communication payloads, and are of interest also for navigation signal generators.However, the use of FPGA usually comes with increased power consumption, whereas satellite communication solutions might not fulfil optimally all the requirements for navigation signals.In this context, the purpose of this activity is to study, design and demonstrate (at breadboard level) a novel architecture for a single chip navigation signal generator, which shall integrate the required processing functions from digital (e.g. PRN generation, equalisation and pre-distortion, etc.) to the RF back-end, with at least the DAC. For this, the breadboard can be designed using readily available/off the shelf components (such as FPGA, System on Chips or Software Defined Radios).The activity encompasses the following tasks:- Review of the state-of-the-art (e.g. FPGA integrated with DAC, programmable processor -optimised for generic digital processing such as Digital Signal Processors, etc.)Selection of the most suitable option, trading potential solutions derived from the state-of-the-art with custom ASIC (e.g. involving a set of programmable functions). Selection criteria will include at least performances, qualification, power consumption, European sourcing, etc.- Design and implement a fully functional breadboard of the selected option to demonstrate its essential functions (including electronic and HLD design).- Performance characterisationProcurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to this link.

Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. Quality
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Franziska Isabella Erkelens-Sickinger
Initiating Service: TEC-EFP
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-D-IV-Navigation Payloads
Products Keywords: 2-L-4-a-Bent-pipe repeaters, regenarative transponders,…