Shapecomm – Shaping the Future of Satellite Communication

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Shapecomm – Shaping the Future of Satellite Communication

shapecomm picture

Current communication systems are experiencing great technical changes but do not fully reach the theoretical data rate limits. Satellite communication, in particular, requires flexibility and higher transmission rates to cope with current demands, e.g., for inflight entertainment systems or high throughput satellites. Shapecomm showcased the innovative technology of “Probabilistic Amplitude Shaping” (PAS) and “Distribution Matching” (DM), which achieved a 2.5-fold rate increase in an optical transmission experiment over the Atlantic Ocean conducted by Facebook and Nokia Bell Labs. Based on the patented technology, the company’s objective is to develop a transceiver architecture building upon the DVB-S2X standard, which could support new standardization endeavours, possibly culminating in DVB-S3.

Benefits:

  • Increase the data rate limits of current communication systems, e.g. satellite communication links
  • Efficient use of existing resources (e.g. bandwidth), helping to serve and accommodate more users and provide a better experience to end users
  • Important enabler and pioneer for future applications that require high data rates
  • Transceiver modems can be designed and produced more flexibly and with lower costs
  • Economically efficient provision of reliable connections and high data rates in remote areas
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shapecomm UG
Munich, Germany
Fabian Steiner
www.shapecomm.de
contact@shapecomm.de

shapecomm

SUMSENS – Structure-Borne Ultrasonic Multi-Hop Sensor Network for the Temperature Monitoring of Satellites

sumsens

SUMSENS – Structure-Borne Ultrasonic Multi-Hop Sensor Network for the Temperature Monitoring of Satellites

sumsens

The mechanical and thermal integrity of spacecraft will be crucial for future space missions lasting months, years, or even longer. Traditionally, wired sensors are used to measure all relevant parameters. SUMSENS offers the integration of a holistic wireless sensor network using the satellite structure itself for communication, in order to provide in-situ monitoring of the mechanical and thermal subsystem status. The SUMSENS sensor network consists of smart temperature sensor nodes, communicating among themselves via structure-borne ultrasonic waves. The core of each sensor node is a microcontroller platform providing all required data operations.
SUMSENS integrates Augmented Reality (AR) to support visual system integration, monitoring and maintenance. The technology can be transferred from space to ground transportation.

Benefits:

  • Wireless sensor network instead of heavy, space-consuming network infrastructure consisting of cable clutter
  • Cost reduction due to flexible installation, easy expandability, low energy consumption and reduction of communication traffic
  • Reliable, fail-safe network architectures
  • Modularity, allowing flexible installation
  • High-level structural integration
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Fraunhofer LBF
Darmstadt, Germany
Dr Torsten Bartel
www.lbf.fraunhofer.de
torsten.bartel@lbf.fraunhofer.de

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Multifunctional lightweight structures for satellites

Multifunctional lightweight structures for satellites

Multifunctional lightweight structures for satellites

Multifunctional lightweight structures for satellites

Conventional satellite design separately considers functional, structural and protective requirements. Subsystems are not integrated into the primary structure, but applied at a later production stage.

  • Project aim: disruptive innovation in satellite design
  • Integration of functions into load-carrying structural parts (communication, thermal management, vibration control, diagnosis)
  • Concurrent optimisation of structural and functional properties with respect to mass and production processes
  • Validation by a demonstrator

 Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF
Dr Dirk Mayer
dirk.mayer@lbf.fraunholer.de

RWfH Aachen University
Dr Athanasios Dafnis
dafnis@sla.rwth-aachen.de