Embedded electronically steerable satcom airborne antenna

Project Information

E2S2A2

Grant agreement ID: 717164

DOI

10.3030/717164

Project closed

EC signature date 8 November 2016

Start date 1 July 2016

End date 31 March 2022

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 1 749 624,75

EU contribution

€ 1 223 162,00

Coordinated by

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - E2S2A2 (Embedded electronically steerable satcom airborne antenna)

Reporting period: 2021-06-01 to 2022-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

There is a growing demand for broadband connectivity for aircrafts. current solutions incorporate satellite antennas that are installed on top of the Aircraft (A/C) fuselage. Those solutions introduce aerodynamic drag resulting in excessive fuel consumption and air pollution.

The pollution influence the global warming that is a crucial issue for society.

The project objectives were to research and develop a solution that will allow broadband connectivity to A/C without compromising the A/C aerodynamic, drag and pollution.

The project demonstrated a complete satellite communication link that was fully embedded within the A/C.

The link performance exceeded the required communication speeds.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work performed from the beginning of the project included the feasibility design review that resulted in the conclusion that the project objectives can be achieved although very challenging. This was followed by a successful PDR Preliminary Design Review and CDR Critical Design Review and followed by a successful TRR Test Readiness Review. In this review the qualification test procedures were identified and agreed with ADS experts.
In the PDR and later through the CDR the design was presented and reviewed by ADS experts.
A recommended satellite was selected. The satellite was selected mainly due to its link performance at the flight tests planned area.
The link budget was calculated and demonstrated that the link performance could achieve the required performance.
The system architecture was designed. The MODMAN was selected and the LRUs were defined.
The installation and structural analysis were designed and performed.
The interconnection to the A/C was defined and agreed. it includes the mechanical and electrical interconnection.
The preliminary design phase was completed and resulted in a successful PDR.
This was followed by a detailed design that was resulted in a successful CDR.
The qualification tests for the equipment to ensure safety of flight was planned and agreed.
Qualification tests procedures were written, reviewed and agreed.
This phase was resulted in a successful TRR (Test Readiness Review).
The equipment went through qualification tests.
The antenna system was integrated and tested in the laboratory level and integrated into the test A/C in ADS facilities.
In the final project period the antenna was tested in the A/C level including over a satellite link.
Few flight tests were performed and demonstrated over the requirements performance results.
The successful results were included in a special press release and presented in satellite 2022 conference.
A paper was submitted, accepted and presented at the EuCAP 2021 Conference.
The antenna design considerations and flight results were presented in the EuCAP 2022 conference.
Potential exploitation directions are considered and explored.
Concrete exploitation plans are in process.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The introducing of a fully electronically steerable airborne antenna is beyond the current state of the art.
It will allow providing A/C with satellite communication without compromising the A/C maintenance, aerodynamic and drag.
It will allow satellite communication without the need to consume more fuel and undesired CO2 emissions. If it will be exploited widely, the effect on CO2 emissions reduction will be significant.
Current market solutions provide the communication through the usage of outside of the A/C satellite antenna and thus affect the aerodynamics of the A/C.
It is expected that such solutions will have advantages in the growing IFC market and thus will provide more business to the relevant participants including improving employment opportunities in the EU.
It is expected that through the "ground tests" and the mainly through the flight tests, that the satellite communication link will be able to support links of up to 50 Mbps in the outbound and up to 10 M bps in the In bound.
The flight test results exceeded the requirements.
The 3GPP address NTN (Non Terrestrial Network) in its recent releases and the satellite communication revolution is expected to add to the next generation network a 3rd Dimension.
Thus it is expected that the satellite communication and the future networks will use GEO satellite as well as MEO and LEO satellite.
By its electronically steerable capabilities the antenna will be able to steer the connection between the satellites and also track the LEO and/or the MEO satellites that are orbiting the Earth.
The steerable antennas are essential part in the future 3D networks. it will allow extending the reach of the mobile coverage to remote regions and to allow connectivity to the unconnected.
This exploitation directions are beyond the IFC (In Flight Connectivity) capabilities.
However, also for IFC, it is expected that future IFC terminals will exploit the 3D network capabilities. The antenna developed and demonstrated in the E2S2A2 project can be a significant ingredient in the future IFC networks.

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Project Website and Logo

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