Next-Generation Telecommunication Payloads based on Photonic Technologies – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications

Objectives

1. To define a set of Payload Requirements for future Satellite TLC Missions. These requirements and relevant P/L architecture have been used in the project as Reference Payloads (“TN1: Payload Requirements for future Satellite Telecommunication Missions”)

2. To review of relevant photonic technologies, signal processing and communications on board telecommunication satellites and To identify novel approaches of photonic digital communication & processing for use in space scenarios for the future satellite communications missions (“TN2: to review and select Photonic Technologies for the Signal Processing and Communication functions relevant to future Satellite TLC P/L”)

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3. To define a preliminary design and layouts of innovative, digital and analogue payload architectures making use of photonic technologies, and to perform a comparison between the preliminary design of the photonic payloads with the corresponding conventional implementations, and outline the benefits that can justify the use of photonic technologies in future satellite communications missions. (“TN3: Preliminary Designs of Photonic Payload architecture concepts, Trade off with Electronic Design and Selection of Photonic Payloads to be further investigated”)

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4. TRL identification for the potential photonic technologies and the possible telecommunication payload architectures selected in the previous phase. Definition of the roadmap for the development, qualification and fligt of photonic items and payloads. (“TN4: Photonic Technologies and Payload Architecture Development Roadmap”)

5. To investigate about a possible mission and architecture solutions which leads to the definition of a Photonic Payload In Orbit Demonstrator (2PIOD), which is necessary to push Photonic Technology into the commercial field. (“TN5: Definition of Photonic Payload for In-Orbit Test Demonstration”)