Multiliteral/Archived

Projects

SatNEx-II

Satellite Communications Network of Excellence – Phase II“

Project details Project Acronym: SATNEX-II

Action Line: IST-2004-2.4.5 Mobile and Wireless Systems and Platforms Beyond 3G, Funded under 6th FWP (Sixth Framework Programme)
Project Reference: 027393
Start Date: 01/04/2006
Duration: 36 months
Project Cost: .00 euro
Contract Type: Networks of Excellence
End Date: 30/9/2009
Project Status: Completed
Project Funding: 7 million euro

Coordinator: DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUER LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E.V. LINDER HOHE; LUTZ, ERICH

Principal researcher JSI: Asst. Prof. Mihael Mohorčič

Detailed description:

Today, Europe is a space power - the space industry, satellite operators and space organisations are major players in their respective fields, which are global in nature. Over the years, European RandD in satellite communications has encompassed a large number of activities spanning many programmes and organisations, however, such initiatives have been restricted in their strategic value, with only limited collaboration and coordination and further exasperated by a lack of the critical mass required to make an impact on the world stage.

The Commission's recently published White Paper on Space states that if Europe is to remain a Space Power it will need a policy to develop and deploy applications and to support the research and development, technology and infrastructures. As a first approach to integrate European research in satellite communications, the SatNEx NoE was established with the broad aims of removing barriers, integrating research and spreading excellence. The follow-on Phase-II project, SatNEx-II, aims to build on the groundbreaking SatNEx programme and, in so doing, achieve the longer-term goals that have been set in motion. The primary goals of the SatNEx-II NoE are to achieve long-lasting integration of European research in satellite communications and to develop a common base of knowledge.

SatNEx-II will establish an innovative satellite communication platform for use by all members of the Network as a means for integrating research, teaching and training. SatNEx-II will disseminate the knowledge and the expertise generated to the international research community through various media at its disposal. SatNEx-II personnel will benefit from opportunities to move between institutions within the Network, to exchange ideas, share best practice and make use of specialist facilities.

Project URL: http://www.satnex.org

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CAPANINA

Communications from Aerial Platform Networks delivering Broadband Communications for All

Project details Project Acronym: CAPANINA
Project Reference: 506745
Start Date: 2003-12-17
Project Cost: 5.65 million euro
Contract Type: Specific Targeted Research Project
Project Status: Execution
Project Funding: 3.1 million euro

Coordinator: UNIVERSITY OF YORK HESLINGTON HALL UNITED KINGDO; GRACE, David

Principal researcher JSI: Asst. Prof. Mihael Mohorčič

Detailed description:

The objective of the CAPANINA project was to develop broadband capability from aerial platforms including High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) to deliver cost effective solutions providing a viable alternative to cable and satellite, with the potential to reach rural, urban and travelling users. Examples of HAPs include airships and solar powered aeroplanes operating at altitudes of around 20km, well above any air traffic.

The project adopted a multi-strand approach:

Identification of appropriate applications and services and associated business models, including the establishing of the most appropriate integrated network architectures.
The development of a system testbed for nearer-term tests of broadband services/applications to fixed users, including: backhaul for terrestrial WLAN, corporate communications and video-on-demand, along with an evaluation of free space optical technology.
Longer-term state-of-the-art research and innovation examining advanced mobile broadband access focusing on a scenario that will deliver broadband to trains, integrating with on-board wireless LAN base stations.

The technology was developed for delivering data rates to fixed and moving users of up to 120Mbit/s anywhere within a HAPs' 60km diameter coverage area. Free-space optic and mm-wave technologies were assessed for the use as backhaul and interplatform links providing seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

The Department of Communication Systems at Jožef Stefan Institute was one of the core partners and WP2 workpackage leader concerned with communication links and networking. Research activities comprised selection and adaptation of broadband wireless access communication standards for high-speed moving train scenario, development of HAP propagation channel model, investigation of platform diversity, adaptive modulation and coding techniques, and specification of network architecture and networking protocols with special emphasis on the network mobility management.

Project partners

The consortium of the project comprised 14 partners from Europe and Japan, in particular University of York (UK), Jozef Stefan Institute (Slovenia), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Spain), Carlo Gavazzi Space (Italy), Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary), DLR (Germany), BTexact (UK), SkyLINC Ltd (UK), EuroConcepts Srl (Italy), CSEM (Switzerland), Contraves AG (Switzerland), National Institute of Information & Communications Technology (Japan) and Japanese Stratospheric Communications (Japan).

Link:

project website: http://www.capanina.org

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