Issue no 8European Technology Platform on Integral SatCom Initiative

www.isi-initiative.org

The Integral SatCom Initiative is an Information andCommunication Technologies (ICT) European TechnologyPlatform. Led by European SatCom industry. It is acknowledgedby the European Commission to address Satellite

Communications strategic research challenges. ISI currentlygathers 194 members organizations representing all theEuropean SatCom industry stakeholders from 28 different coun-tries. It includes members from manufacturing industry,

About the IntegralSatCom Initiative (ISI)

2 The time for European SatCom research3 Revised ISI Strategic 4 The SatCom Contribution to Emergency Applications

5 The Spanish ISI technology platform initiatives6 FP7 Projects: MUSCADE7 Improving Public Safety and Security

summary

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he European Commission hasrecently approved a communica-tion on a revamped EuropeanSpace strategy under the title"Towards a Space strategy for theEuropean Union that benefits its

citizens". In addition to the "traditional"pillars (satellite navigation, monitoring theenvironment, security and space explora-tion), there is a full chapter devoted to com-petitiveness, making a clear case for spaceindustry policy as an integral part of theEurope 2020 strategy.

In this context, Satellite Communications(SatCom) is considered a key area for indus-trial competitiveness, as it generates the lar-gest share of revenues in the space industry,as well as a key innovation enabler, since itprovides access to a broadrange of economic andsocial services. Theserange from high speedInternet and broadcastingto specific crucial publicservices, such as those rela-ted to safety. For example"eCalls" –on vehicle emer-gency calls- can automati-cally provide the vehiclelocation, and can thereforebe instrumental in savinglives, by bringing fasterassistance. SatCom is alsoan enabler of many inno-vative future services, suchas those using positioningsystems and earth observa-tion data. There is also apotential commercialvalue, as SatCom couldplay an important role as content distributorfor TV in the Internet infrastructure.

The goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe,to provide access to basic broadband to allEuropeans by 2013 and 30 Mbps access by2020, provide an opportunity for satellitecommunications to play a specific role.SatCom has the potential to provide widerbroadband access to rural and sparselypopulated areas, where it will complementthe use of terrestrial-based solutions, andadd to coverage and capacities in urban andsuburban areas.

It is estimated that at the moment, basic bro-adband is still not available to about 10million European households, mainly loca-ted in rural areas. Satellite communications,is an indispensable complement to terrestrialsolutions to meet the target of 100% access

ISI has already started the process for thedefinition of a strategic research agendagiving details of industry plans to developthese capabilities in the longer run. Thereare already some specific challenges we canidentify today, such as increasing the two-way capacities in a cost-effective manner,leading to a new generation of satellites witha 1000 GB/s throughput and integratingseamlessly terrestrial and satellite applica-tions and services as mentioned above.These will require integrated network andspectrum management capabilities, optimi-sing network resources and Quality ofService whilst minimising costs and energyconsumption. The integration of all theabove mentioned systems is necessary if weare to provide critical services which requireintegrated solutions, which is particularly

critical for security andsafety applications, wherethe role of satellites isessential.

I am fully aware that ISI isworking hard in the abovelines so as to ensure thefuture provision of essen-tial services as described inthe European Commissionrecent communication onSpace strategy. Time isripe now to explore theavenues for the deploy-ment of future infrastruc-tures capable to meet therequirements of basicpublic services, and ensu-ring a competitiveEuropean industry. I dohope that this Call for

Proposals is just a starting point for moreambitious actions in line with the targets setout in Europe 2020.

The strategic nature of the public areas sup-ported by satellite applications and theimportant role played by SatCom in therequired service infrastructure raise the needfor Europe to own a solid technological baseon satellite communications and thereforeexcellence in research in this field is a mustfor a future competitive space industry.Contributions fromthe ISI stakeholderswill be very welcomein this undertaking.

to basic broadband by 2013. Current satelli-te technology enables access rates in the 2 to10 Mb/s range. This would already be com-patible with the first Broadband objective ofthe Digital Agenda for Europe.

In the longer term, satisfying the secondobjective for Broadband access at 30 Mb/swould require a new generation of very highthroughput satellites. Industry is currentlyworking on this new generation of SatCom.As this is a longer term issue, options shouldbe explored for supporting industry in thisendeavour through future R&D and innova-tion funding and support.

Some resources for research in these areasare already available through the FP7 ICTwork programme 2011-12. The next Call

for Proposals (Call 8) foresees support toindustry for the design of very high capacitysatellite systems. In particular there is anobjective addressing "Flexible, resilient, bro-adband satellite communication" with theaim to develop innovative system and servicearchitectures and technologies for ultra highcapacity satellite communication systemswith seamless integration capabilities. Theyshould enable resilient and flexible infras-tructures to support institutional missionsand should integrate navigation systems andsensor networks. Success in these seamlessintegration capabilities will allow satelliteindustry to position itself within an overallend-to-end service approach.

T

Luis Rodríguez-Roselló Head of Unit "Future Networks", DG-Information

Society and Media – European Commission

The time for European SatCom research 1. Satcoms are essential for the dynamism of European Space Industry

The European space sector is 50 years old,and ranked second behind the US spaceindustry. Up stream industry generates 6billion euros revenues and employs morethan 30000 high skilled human resourcesall located in Europe. The downstreamindustry generates many times greaterrevenues as well as employment and stimu-li for technological growth in all industrialsectors.

The European SatCom industry accountsto 65% of the European space industry interms of revenues and employment. It hasproven to be so far:

• Innovative, with first commercial digitalSD, HD, 3D TV services and state of art inother SatCom markets;

• Competitive, with 50% of sales in com-mercial market compared to 20% for theUS Satcom industry and even less percen-tage in other space countries.

• Independent, with a large portfolio ofcritical products designed and manufactu-red in Europe.

It is therefore essential that the EuropeanCommission defines and funds an ambi-tious appropriate SatCom program frame-work aiming at reinforcing the EuropeanSatCom industrial base, industrial policyand the related financial support frame-work in order to maintaining its leadershipin commercial markets, and its technologi-cal independence especially for institutio-nal and governmental strategic markets.This requires increased funding rate (e.g.75%) especially for projects targeting insti-tutional markets, as well as cost computa-tion policy comparable to national agen-cies’ one. This policy is consistent with theEuropean efforts on promotion of FutureNetworks for Telecommunications.

2. The role of Satcom in the Space policy has to be enhanced

An EU industrial policy which will aim atmaintaining and improving the competiti-veness of the European manufacturingindustry is mandatory. The success of

R&D Innovation will be evaluated in itscapacity to really enable manufacturing inEurope of new products and satellitesystems, efficient and competitive. Thepolicy should aim in particular at keepingone technological step aheads new emer-ging countries. European communicationsatellite infrastructures have to be eligiblefor EC support (space infrastructure (asfibre), user terminal, subscriptions, ), andthese infrastructures should be encoura-ged to be designed and produced INEurope.

3. Satcoms: catalyser for new ICT services

"Satcom has proven to be a catalyser and akey enabler to make emerge new added-values services for mass market like digitalTV, HD TV. It is also a key complement toterrestrial technologies for other types ofapplications under mobility and fixedusage, like backhauling for 3G / 4G cellu-lar networks, public safety communica-tions. R&D focused on the development ofinnovative space technologies is manda-tory in order to ensure an efficient andcompetitive implementation of new ICTservices for citizens, such as e-health, highspeed services for areas not well served byterrestrial networks, future internet.

4. Satcom is an enabler for other ICT technologies such as secured networks, TV broadcast, Telecom globalnetworks

Satellite telecommunications deliver a fullrange services including among others:broadcast and other program distributionsuch as telecommunications and privatedata networks, mobile fleet / traffic mana-gement and telemedicine. They are alsocritical in providing backhaul to wirelesssystems and backbone to the Internet con-nectivity.

Today SatCom offer the most successfulmodel of distribution in the video business.Satellite has been at the forefront of digitalTV & high definition television (“HDTV”)development and should also be conside-red as one of the best platforms for thedevelopment of 3-D and interactive ondemand digital services in Europe.

5. Satcom to further contributes to the European Policies on security, transport and energy and to serve the related EU citizens’ needs

Robust, secured telecommunication meansare needed to support the reinforced EUengagement in security matters embeddedin the Lisbon Treaty under the responsibilityof the European External Action Service.

SatComs are key contributors to such tele-communication means especially to

support Crisis management, Externalsecurity actions, Border, Maritime andCritical infrastructure surveillance,Transport security missions.

6. Satcom to contribute to the development of Rural areas

The Europe 2020 Strategy has underlinedin its Digital Agenda the importance ofbroadband deployment to promote socialinclusion and competitiveness in the EUand set ambitious targets.

SatCom broadband solutions are evolvingthanks to increasingly capacitive satellites.

Initially based on broadcast Ku band sate-llite, broadband services are also now deli-vered via multi-beam Ka band satellites.The SatCom industry is engaged in furtherimprovements to increase satellite capabili-ties in terms of service rate and through-put while reducing terminal costs to provi-de affordable ultra fast internet servicesespecially in low density populated areas.Improvements also includes service hybri-disation with broadcast.

7. SatComs are crucial for thedevelopment and further growth

of the other two strategic sectors of space

SatCom systems with data relay servicesare critical to minimise response of EarthObservation systems based on low earthorbiting satellites. They are also used toaugment navigation services with impro-ved integrity and location accuracy (e.g.EGNOS).

ISI Steering Committee

ISI positions in regard of CommonStrategic Framework program

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much interest on the upcoming Call 8ISI Community: ISI technology platform did organize a ISI Networking Meeting inBudapest, on May 18-19, 2011, benefiting from the celebration ofFuture Internet Conference, Fuuture Internet Assembly and ICTproposers day.

It was organized by Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli, University ofBologna, and Sandro Scalise, DLR, with the support of FP7 – ICT- FISI Support Action.

The ISI Networking Session has been held at Budapest Universityof Technology and Economics. The meeting was kindly hosted byProf. Istvan Frigyes. 20 experts from the SatCom research commu-nity attended the event.

On May 18, 2011 afternoon, the Proposers presented their ideasaccording to the schedule reported in the meeting Agenda.

On May 19, 2011 morning, three round tables were organized inorder to coordinate proposals addressing similar topics. The tableswere organized according to the following three main areas:

- Broadband Satellite Communications.

- Institutional Applications using SatComs.

- SatCom and Future Internet.

ireless communicationtechnology is becoming acritical component of anyemergency communica-tions infrastructure, notonly because of its porta-

bility, but equally due to low cost andcapability to operate independently fromfixed and potentially vulnerable wireline-based infrastructure.Communication is a vital part of theFirst Responders' (FRs) operation as itconnects him/her with the operationscenter at all times providing the valuableinformation that is necessary for the cre-w's well being as well as a useful tool forthe overall performance enhancement.In the EU FP7 Large Scale IntegratedProject “A holistic approach towards thedevelopment of the first responder ofthe future”, funded under grant agreementn. 242411 within the call SEC-2009.4.2.1:“First Response of the future”, which star-ted on July 1st 2010 and whose duration isfour years, satellite communications play avital part since they are the backbone com-munications that facilitate the availability oflocal awareness (from the operation theatres)to any given and remotely-locatedEmergency Operation Centre (EOC).Satellite communications are therefore ofparamount importance, given the ability ofthe satellite signal to reach even the most iso-lated of regions (especially where other

gency network should be flexible, scalable,reliable and interoperable.A communication infrastructure to supportsuch an architecture can be implementedthrough the functional and physicaldecomposition in several subsystems withdifferent features, following a hierarchicalapproach (Figure 1).The envisioned architecture shows thatdata from the FRs is sent in real-time to thelocally operating Mobile EOC and then fil-tered, grouped and relayed to the remote-located EOC.Maintaining the link between the dispersedFRs and the EOC is made feasible throughthe use of satellite communications at alltimes, given the fact that FRs normally acteither in remotely located areas with limi-ted communication infrastructure or insites where existing communications might

be crippled by the occurred disaster. A relia-ble, which means resilient and robust, com-munication infrastructure has to be set upand operated and this involves effective coo-perative communications. Therefore, onceagain, satellite communications represent afundamental element ofany ad-hoc, reliableemergency network.

communication infrastructure is not pre-sent), so that they are crucial in ensuring thecontinuous monitoring of first response ope-rations.Effective and real-time on-scene data trans-mission, video and voice communications,FRs locations are made feasible and availa-ble at all times with the use of satellites.At the same time, an emergency networkhas to employ a secure telecommunicationsinfrastructure. Therefore, this large scale IPproject has to tackle many important issuesof communication security as well. The overall system architecture for an emer-

t its last General Assembly of the Spanish eISI technologyplatform a renewal of the Chair and VicechairPersons.was made: Mr. Carlos Belmonte (Indra), Mr. TeodoroBorja (Isdefe), Mr. Angel Alvaro (Thales Alenia SpaceEspaña) and Mrs Patricia Iñigo (EADS-Casa) are now thenew leaders of the Spanish initiatives. In this effort, the

activities of the European ISI are observed and taken as the guidefor the Spanish Activities.Several national projects have been carried out during last yearsthanks to the priority given by the Spanish Ministry of Industryto highly tech and ambitious projects. Among others, those indi-cated in the table.

The Spanish eISI was created in 2006 and it includes today more than 160 organiza-tions (25 new members joined in 2010), with the following profile structure

For the Call 8 of the FP7 and CELTICPLUS CALL 2, the eISI has prepared a fulldossier of initiatives and project proposals,which can be downloaded athttp://www.ametic.es/idi

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Dr. Julián SeseñaROSE Vision, Secretariat ISI

The SatCom Contribution toEmergency ApplicationsThe SatCom Contribution toEmergency Applications

The Spanish ISI technologyplatform initiatives

MaurizioCasoni,

University of Modenaand Reggio Emilia – Italy

The Emergency Network.

PROJECT LEADER PARTICIPANTS

The main goal of SESAMO is the indutrial rese-arch of relevant technologies in the field of satlelli-te communications linked with the mobility con-cept

THALES ALENIA SPACEESPAÑA

16

MOVISAT has the main objectives of researchand technology development in the fields of infras-tructures for broadcast, sound and television, in thenew environment of multi-standard and conver-gence of services

THALES ALENIA SPACEESPAÑA

12

WIMSAT The main target of WIMSAT is to achieve the sui-tability of broadband technologies based on DVB-RCS and Wimax take relevant part in the newgeneration networks and, in particular, IMS

GrupoERICSSON

11

39 participants + 23M€

Dr. Julián SeseñaROSE Vision, Secretariat ISI

6 7

Improving Public Safety and Security

The last decade has seen a revolutionin the distribution of motion content:from analogue to digital and thenfrom SDTV to HDTV. Both the deli-very and the content creation indus-tries exploited these advances, for thefinal benefit of consumers. Today,

3DTV is widely considered as the next stepforward in home entertainment.

MUSCADE (Multimedia Scalable 3D forEurope) is a 3-year Collaborative Projectled by Astrium which investigates future3DTV systems beyond stereoscopic 3D.The project is co-funded by the EuropeanCommission under the 7th FrameworkProgramme (FP7). It combines thestrengths of twelve European partners,consisting of a balanced mix between aca-demics (University of Surrey, FraunhoferHHI), public organizations (EBU), SMEs(Holografika, KUK Filmproduktion,Trinnov Audio) and large industries(Astrium, Disney Research, RAI, SESASTRA, Technicolor, Telecom Italia).

The MUSCADE project aims at develo-ping a technically efficient and commer-cially successful 3DTV broadcast system bygenerating major innovations in 3DTVcapturing, data representation, compres-sion, transmission and rendering. TheMUSCADE reference system architectureis shown in Figure 1.

At the production side, multi-view camerarigs and microphone arrays are used torecord 3D video and spatial sound, genera-ting a generic and display agnostic 3DTVrepresentation format as shown in figure 2.Then audio-visual data are post-processed,either offline during post-production or inreal-time for live broadcasting. In a furtherpostproduction process the captured andpost-processed audio-visual 3D scenes canbe mixed with computer generated 3Dcontent or archived 3D material.

After postproduction, the processed audio-visual 3D data is compressed and encapsu-lated into a suitable transmission format.The streams are then fed into the transmis-sion channels investigated in the project i.e.wireline (ADSL, FTTH), wireless (DVB-T2, WLAN, WiMAX) and satellite (DVB-S2) using both emulated and actual links.At the receiving side, the audio and videosignals have to be decoded and rendered

until the end of 2012, is to demonstrate acomplete multiview 3DTV live chain overwireline, wireless and satellite networks.

according to the requirements of the dis-play and sound system. As far as video isconcerned, 2D displays, stereoscopic dis-plays with glasses and several typesof autostereoscopic displays will besupported, while for audio, differentmultichannel reproduction systemssuch as binaural, stereo, 5.1, 7.1 andwave field synthesis will be used.

In parallel of the development ofthe 3DTV prototype system, activi-ties focusing on the user experienceevaluation are conducted in order toensure the production of 3D con-tent meeting today’s consumers’expectations. The results of the pro-ject in terms of audio/video coding,content production, transmissionprotocols and display adaptation arealso provided as inputs to the relevant stan-dardization bodies.

The project is currently in its first phase,consisting in the development of a nonreal-time prototype of the system. The finalobjective of MUSCADE, which is running

Iobile wireless Ad hocNetworks (MANET) canimprove significantly thecommunication capability ofPublic Safety forces deployedin a mobile, unknown anddynamic environment. The

benefits of such networks come from theircapacity to provide connectivity withoutany infrastructure, their rapidity of deploy-ment and their flexibility to topology chan-ges.

However, if MANET can provide intracommunication between deployed PublicSafety forces, they are not designed to ensu-re remote connectivity. Public Safety forcesoften operate in areas where terrestrialinfrastructures have been damaged, destro-yed or are non existent or congested.Therefore a combination of satellite com-munications and MANET appears as thebest option to fulfil the complete communi-cation needs, covering both local and longdistance connectivity. Furthermore, satellitesystems can easily deal with mobility, canprovide inter-MANET connectivity andcan also take benefit from their inherentbroadcast capability over a large area.

The current trend, in the military commu-nication domain, so called Network CentricOperation, aims at providing seamless con-nectivity to the forces, through different net-works. Applied to the Public Safety andSecurity domain, this concept would fostera single integrated system composed of twosegments, one satellite and one MANET,instead of two separated networks be consi-dered. This integration raises a certainnumber of challenges in order to ensure thebest level of communication capability andthe end-users confidence in the future inte-grated systems.

In the frame of the FP7 programme, theEuropean Commission supports aCollaborative research project calledMONET to address the technical networkchallenges linked to such a hybrid system. This project, coordinated by Tekever, invol-

most promising optimisations identified,essentially focusing on routing protocols,bandwidth and network efficiency techni-ques, optimised QoS mechanisms and realtime services adaptations. Routing protocolsinclude energy aware and QoS orientedprotocols, geo-localised protocols and load-balancing optimisations.

Laboratory tests and demonstration in realfield will allow to validate and to demonstra-te, at the end of the 30 month project, theadded value of the proposed optimisations.

ves end-users and experts from differentPublic Safety bodies like ISDEFE and theAdministration of the Republic of Sloveniafor Civil Protection and Disaster Relief(URSZR). Tekever and Astrium as indus-trial partners and the Universities of Romeand of Surrey bring their technical experti-se in both MANET and satellite segments,as well as their system engineering knowled-ge.

The objective is to optimise the integrationof the satellite links in the MANET net-work, to optimise network resources andlink availability, to provide Quality ofService (QoS) and Quality of Experience(QoE) and to minimize costs and energy.

This project is on-going, and after a firstphase of end-users requirements assess-ment, the consortium is now working on the

M

FP7 Projects: MUSCADE

Figure 1. MUSCADE reference system architecture.

Figure 2 MUSCADE display agnostic video representation format (MVD4, Multi-viewvideo plus depth 4), data from the first MUSCADE shooting

GuillaumeBerenger

Astrium EADS

MelanieMonier

communications thanks to hybrid MANET-Satellite networks

8

ISI Secretariat

Rose VisionDr. Ulecia, 828224 Pozuelo de Alarcón(Madrid), Spainsecretariat@isi-initiative.org

STEERING COUNCIL

Steering Council, Manufacturing Industry (IND) Sector• Thales Alenia Space• EADS Astrium• Gilat Satellite Networks

Steering Council, Network Operations and Service Provision (SNO) Sector• Atos Origin• SES Global• Telespazio

Steering Council, SME Sector• ROSE Vision• Space Hellas

Steering Council, Research Institutions and Academia (RES) Sector• DLR (German Aerospace Research Centre)• University of Bologna• University of Surrey

Nicolas Chuberre ISI ChairmanThales Alenia Space France

Jean-Francois Charrier ISI Vice ChairmanEADS Astrium

ISI relevant events4th ISI SatCom day October 19, 2011 Brussels, Belgium http://www.isi-initiative.org/14th general assembly of ISI October 18, 2011 Brussels, Belgium http://www.isi-initiative.org/13th general assembly of ISI June 15, 2011 Warsaw, Poland http://www.isi-initiative.org/Info day CELTIC and Call 8. Joint Net!Works and ISI networking session June 14, 2011 Warsaw, Poland http://www.isi-initiative.org/ISI technical session with Terrestrial at FUNES June 16, 2011 Warsaw, Poland http://www.futurenetworksummit.eu/

2011/files/FutureNetworkSummit2011_CallforPapers.pdf

Future Internet Week & Future Internet Assembly October 24-28, 2011 Poznan, Poland http://www.future-internet.eu/events/eventview/article/future-internet-assembly-poznan.html

MOBILITY 2011 October 23-28, 2011 Barcelona, Spain http://www.iaria.org/conferences2011/MOBILITY11.html

ITU Telecom World 2011 October 24-27, 2011 Geneva, Switzerland ITU Telecom World 2011IEEE MeshTech 2011 October 17, 2011 Valencia, Spain http://www2.ing.unipi.it/meshtech11/ISCIT 2011 October 12-14, 2011 Hangzhou, China http://www.iscit2011.org/ICOST 2011 October 10-12, 2011 Shanghai, China http://www.icost.infoFuture Networks 8th FP7 Concertation Meeting October 6-7, 2011 Brussels, Belgium http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/

events/future_networks/concertation/index_en.htm4th IEEE International Workshop On Wireless and Internet Services October 4-7, 2011 Bonn, Germany http://www.wmngroup.co.uk/wise2011/CONCORD 2011 October 6, 2011 Seville, Spain http://iri.jrc.ec.europa.eu/concord-2011 Satellite Communication and Navigation systems working group October 4-6, 2011 Wessling, DLR17th edition of the Ka and Broadband Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation Conference October 3-6, 2011 Palermo, Spain www.kaconf.orgSIIT 2011 September 28-30, 2011 Berlin, Germany http://siit2011.org/ALETI Summit September 27-30, 2011 Guatemala http://www.imtjonline.com/?entryid116=147321ETSI Future Networks Technologies Workshop September 26-27, 2011 Sophia Antipolis, France http://www.etsi.org/WebSite/

NewsandEvents/FNT/FutureNetworkTechnologies.aspxSatNEx III Summer School 2011 September 5-9, 2011 Siena, Italy (http://satnexiiisummerschool2011.dii.unisi.it/index.htEUSIPCO 2011 Agt. 29-Sept. 2, 2011 Barcelona, Spain www.eurasip.orgBroadcast & Cable 2011 August 23-25, 2011 Sao Paulo, Brazil http://www.broadcastcable.com.br/UK Space Conference July 4-5, 2011 Warwick University, UK http://www.ukspaceagency.bis.gov.uk/20601.aspxHigh Level European Conference on "PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF INNOVATION" June 27-28, 2011 Torino, Italy http://www.comune.torino.it/relint/PPI/3rd Conference: ICWMC 2011 June 19-24, 2011 Luxembourg http://www.iaria.org/conferences2011/ICWMC11.html1st AnnualDigital Agenda Assembly June 16-17, 2011 Brussels, Belgium http://ec.europa.eu/information_society

/digital-agenda/daaFuture Network & Mobile Summit 2011 June 15-17, 2011 Warsaw, Poland http://www.futurenetworksummit.eu/2011/files/

FutureNetworkSummit2011_CallforPapers.pdf6th Annual European Spectrum Management Conference June 14-15, 2011 Brussels, Belgium www.spectrummanagement.eu

www.isi-initiative.org