PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The main objective is to define the technology roadmaps that need to be implemented by the European and Canadian industry players to be able to deploy Next Generation MSS systems
- within the 2018 time frame for benchmark L-band MSS systems, and beyond for the advanced system
- within the 2025 time frame for benchmark Ka-band MSS systems, and beyond for the advanced system
To this end, the team has analysed two future global MSS systems, one in the L-band, one in the Ka-band, as the next generation of the Inmarsat 5 Global-Xpress system.
The logic of the study was to initially design two reference or benchmark systems using available and qualified technologies, then to analyse the ways to improve these systems. For the L-band system, the objective was to reduce cost while preserving the performances. For the Ka-band system, the intention was to increase the system throughput while keeping the same satellite class. For the two frequency bands, two advanced systems are designed using different technologies mixes. The analysis of the performances and improvements allow choosing one of the two advanced systems to establish the roadmaps. For each system, two architectures have been proposed, except for the benchmark Ka band system, with a single architecture.
(The above is a sample picture)
Challenges
The main challenges for the project were the following. First for the benchmark system
- Design a system that could be the baseline for the future Global L band MSS,
- Optimize the antenna design in order to provide around 100 spot beams, and with a maximum gain, and a maximum C/I with a four colour scheme
- Design a single Ka band architecture system optimizing the spectrum usage for a maximum flexibility
On the advanced systems
- Provide innovative payload architectures for both L and Ka band systems
Increase capacity and provide higher flexibility
Plan
After the Kick Off Meeting, the different millstones of the project are the following
- RR : Requirement Review, during which, the different technical specifications were reviewed, as well as the Technological State of the Art
- BDR : Benchmark System Design Review : review of the design of the Benchmark systems, and their related performances at the horizon 2018/2025
- ASDR : Advanced System Design Review: review of the design of the Advanced systems, and their related performances at the horizon 2018/2025
- FR : Final Review : Final Review of the Project including Roadmaps presentations
Final Presentation at ESA workshop.
Current Status
The Final Review has taken place in Toulouse on May 26th 2016, and was successful.
