CORDIS Archive
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AC229 INSURED | |
| Organisations Hosting Experiments Contact Mobile Domain |
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The main objective of the INSURED project is to demonstrate integrated Satellite-UMTS (S-UMTS) services and functionalities in the context of an S-UMTS system trial involving real low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and personal communications systems (using GSM technology). Trials fall into three groups:
Propagation trials will be performed in different environments (i.e. urban, sub-urban, rural, maritime, airborne) and with different degrees of user mobility (i.e. stationary, pedestrian, random driving...). The aim is to validate previously specified channel models (to be used in the S-UMTS system simulator) and also the generation of bit error patterns similar to those of ETSI GSM.
Interworking and integration trials aims to demonstrate two different areas of S-UMTS functionality. In the interworking trial, S-UMTS mobility functions, data handling and management of an integrated satellite and advanced terrestrial system will be demonstrated. In the integration trial, seamless inter-segment handover functionality, the use of integrated databases and advanced resource management will be shown to be line with the UPT concept.
Service trials will identify and test new services, defined in the course of the project through the interworking demonstrator. These services will provide valuable results concerning acceptance and quality of service from the users point of view.
The project's experiments will be hosted by the following organisations:
All three types of trial will be carried out in a real environment. The satellite environment will be tested using a constellation of LEO satellites for mobile communications (IRIDIUM) that are expected be deployed during the execution of the INSURED project. Interworking and integration with terrestrial systems will require a GSM test network, to be provided by the Greek National Host.
For the propagation trial, a test receiver will be developed ad hoc by the project.
This will be mounted on a vehicle in order to analyse and process the L-band signal transmitted by real satellites. In this way, the satellite link will be characterised to the greatest extent possible, and statistical data that is applicable to S-UMTS channels derived. The actual use of satellites rather than helicopters or other airborne platforms will provide real data on propagation, and permit a full evaluation of particular phenomena related to the use of LEO satellite constellations (eg the Doppler effect).
For the interworking and integration trial, the project will implement a dual mode terminal and a terrestrial network testbed, to test an identified set of essential UMTS functions in an integrated environment composed of two different types of network. Handover, cell selection/ reselection and roaming procedures will in particular be implemented and tested. This will require all the elements developed by the project, and their integration in networks.
The services trial will use the same configuration as Interworking trial. The scope for validating services provided to mobile users will be enlarged, within a simulated UMTS environment based on different types of network.
Services for mobile users in a UMTS environment.
The target audience for the experiments comprises:
Since the INSURED experiments use a commercial system during its deployment phase (ie the IRIDIUM constellation), it will not be possible to allow people outside of the project to use the equipment and perform trials in the frame of this project. Information related to the IRIDIUM satellite system is confidential to MOTOROLA and the INSURED partners have had to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement covering this. Nevertheless all results of the trials concerning UMTS will be fully published and will be presented in appropriate ACTS meetings and conferences. A full report will be made available to people and organisations interested in the experiment's results.
Several propagation measurement programmes have been performed in the same frequency band by the European Space Agency using transmitters mounted on airborne platforms. Measurement programmes using the IRIDIUM satellites will be conducted by Motorola in the US almost in parallel with INSURED trials. The results of the measurement programmes in the INSURED Project will probably be shared with Motorola. Propagation trials aiming at the characterisation of mobile channels at higher frequency bands (20/30 GHz and above) are planned in SECOMS Project.
With regard to the Interworking and Integration trials, similar experiments involving typically terrestrial UMTS are planned in ACTS projects RAINBOW, FRAMES and FIRST. Integration aspects involving satellite systems are the objective of other Projects like SINUS and TOMAS, although these projects focus on mobile services provided by geostationary satellites. INSURED plans to complement them by providing information related to the use of constellations of non-geostationary (LEO) satellites.
Service experiments conducted by INSURED will be focused on services that are compatible with the bandwidth available on the satellite constellation, whereas other projects (SAMBA, RAINBOW) will focus on broadband applications.
Arnoldo Giralda
IPO
Nuova Telespazio
Via Tiburtina, 965
00156 Rome
Italy
Tel: +39-06-40793745
Fax: +39-06-40793843
E-mail: arnoldo_giralda@telespazio.it
Nuova Telespazio, Rome (I)
Motorola, Phoenix (USA)
Greek National Host (GR)