Project description
Solar and microwave energy for efficient inter-satellite communication
The solar infrared (IR) spectrum has crucial applications in electronic systems, such as reducing the weight and launch costs of satellite solar cells. However, its potential remains underutilised. The EU-funded POWERSAT project aims to develop a platform that captures energy from the IR spectrum and converts microwave spillover from satellite antennas into a DC power supply. This energy will power low-power embedded electronics within satellites and enable efficient inter-satellite communication links. The project will produce five demonstrators: one for solar energy harvesting and four for capturing microwave energy. The goal is to integrate these technologies into satellite electronic systems, replacing traditional solar cells and thereby reducing satellite weight and launch costs.
Objective
POWERSAT focuses on scavenging the unexploited solar infrared (IR) spectrum by providing an original THz (10-400 THz) energy harvesting platform, thus completing the function of photovoltaics cells, and on harvesting the microwave spillover losses from satellite’s antennas and transform them into a DC power supply.
POWERSAT will deliver an original solar-microwave combined platform based on rectennas to harvest a big part of the IR radiation coming from the sun and the spillover electric field radiated by satellite’s antennas in four main bands, i.e. C-band (4-8 GHz), X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz), Ku-band (12-18 GHz), and K-band (18-27 GHz).
This harvested energy will be employed to fuel the low-power embedded electronics within satellites, including components like low-noise amplifiers, various sensors, and oscillators. Moreover, antennas designed for energy harvesting can also facilitate efficient and low-power inter-satellite links (ISLs). Satellites are often arranged in constellations, flying in formation as they orbit Earth. In such configurations, satellites can establish communication links with neighboring satellites using RF or laser links. These ISLs enable satellites to connect with others, allowing data to traverse different gateways within the satellite network. To achieve this, POWERSAT will propose five demonstrators, i.e. a solar energy harvesting platform integrating micro/nanoantennas and MIM diode-based rectifiers, and four demonstrators integrating several rectennas, each demonstrator being suitable for one of the four microwave bands mentioned before. These same antenna arrays will be instrumental in enabling low-power backscattering communications. The final goal is to provide a seamless integration of the newly developed rectennas into satellite’s electronic systems, which in perspective will allow the future partial replacement of satellite’s solar cells, thus lowering satellite’s overall weight and, hence, the launch costs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
92200 Courbevoie
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.