Objective
To define a Satellite-UMTS (S-UMTS) Reference Model validated through trials and simulations
To demonstrate integrated S-UMTS services functionality in the context of a system demonstrator
To define and develop a S-UMTS system Demonstrator
To perform trials using real environment for both satellite (IRIDIUM) and terrestrial (GSM) networks
The major results already achieved by the project in the last project year can be summarized as follows:
definition of User and Service Requirements for the S-UMTS;
first release of the S-UMTS Reference Model, to be updated at the end of the project in line with the result of the trials and simulations;
definition of the architecture for the INSURED Demonstrator to be implemented to conduct the trials;
identification of network protocols and interfaces to be used in the INSURED Demonstrator.
Project Planning for the current year includes the following activities:
finalization and validation of protocols and interfaces specifications for the Demonstrator
simulation activities including performance evaluation of protocols defined in S-UMTS reference models and definition of a suitable model to evaluate S-UMTS propagation aspects
implementation of the UMTS demonstrator and development of the necessary testbeds
performance of propagation trials
In addition to the technical activities already mentioned, also concertation activities will be carried out during Project Year 2, where the project plans to actively contribute in the definition of the satellite portion of the UMTS.
Expected Impact
The possibility of testing S-UMTS functionalities and procedures in a real environment represents a major step forward in the development of the relevant standardization and, in broader terms, in the evolution of personal communications networks.
The expected impacts are essentially:
From the service viewpoint, to speed up the implementation of new services exploiting the integration of satellites within the UMTS. The market for such services and the related products is expected to grow quickly in the next 5 years, not only in the EU, but especially in foreign countries (Eastern Europe, South Asia, ....) where land mobile services are in a less developed condition and where satellites can offer a faster development path.
From the manufacturing viewpoint, to contribute to the development of high-end product lines like dual-mode (satellite/GSM) terminals, terminals with advanced service capability (like user localization), integrated satellite/terrestrial Mobile Switching Centers.
From the social viewpoint, to develop know-how and to maintain a leading position of Europe in mobile telecommunications.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
Trial showing Iridium/GSM interworking with UMTS type protocol architecture.
Contribution to the programme
Only propagation experiment performed, project stopped.
Technical Approach
The INSURED project is composed of four main phases which are strictly inter-related and not necessarily sequential:
definition and validation of a comprehensive S-UMTS Reference Model
definition of the Demonstrator Architecture to be utilized for the System Trials
implementation of the Demonstrator
planning and execution of System Trials
The reference model to be developed within the INSURED project will state the characteristics and performance requirements of the procedures to be demonstrated. It is a high level specification concerned with services, interworking, mobility management and radio interface aspects aimed not only at serving during the phase of the INSURED projects but well beyond for future evaluation of S-UMTS systems and applications.
In parallel with the Reference Model development, the objectives of the demonstration activities will be identified, i.e. the functionalities which will be tested through trials, taking into account the limitations imposed by the use of existing non-UMTS compliant networks. Demonstration objectives will be translated into the definition of the demonstrator system architecture identifying the overall testing configuration and the test sites. All hard- and soft-ware components and interfaces of the S-UMTS demonstrator will be defined and all required protocols will be specified in SDL and validated using SDT.
The basic demonstrator scenario consists of the satellite segment, the GSM segment, and two testbeds: the terminal and the network testbed.
Both testbeds will be specified, implemented and used in the INSURED project in order to perform the different trials envisaged. The network testbed in particular will not only allow to route traffic between the GSM MSC and the satellite gateway/MSC but also provide the possibility to implement S-UMTS network protocols to be tested in the integration and interworking trials. The terminal testbed consists of a GSM and a satellite RF-part including protocol stack connected via and controlled by a PC-workstation.
The trials will be carried out to verify in the field the functionalities of future S-UMTS. The results of the trials will be fully analyzed, comparing them to the model developed and to the simulated data. Then refinements or corrections of the proposed model will be implemented.
Summary of Trial
Different groups of trials will be performed:
Propagation trial
Interworking and integration trial
Service trial
All the three types of trials will be carried out in a real environment. The satellite environment will be tested using the constellation of LEO satellites for mobile communications (IRIDIUM) that will be deployed during the execution of the INSURED project. Interworking and integration with terrestrial systems will require a GSM test network, which will be provided by the Greek National Host.
The propagation trial is the first trial to be carried out. During approximately six months several measurement campaigns will be performed in different environments (i.e. urban, sub-urban, rural, maritime, airborne) and with different user mobilities (i.e. stationary, pedestrian, randomly driving,...). As a result not only the validation of previously specified channel models (to be used in the S-UMTS system simulator) will be possible but also the generation of bit error patterns similar to the ETSI GSM bit error patterns is targeted. These patterns will be used in S-UMTS simulation tools and enable independent evaluation of present and future S-UMTS transmission schemes, protocols and strategies.
The interworking and integration trial aims at demonstrating two different areas of S-UMTS functionality. In the interworking trial S-UMTS mobility functions, data handling and management for an integrated satellite and advanced GSM system will be demonstrated. In the integration trial, seamless inter-segment handover functionality as well as the use of integrated databases, UPT and advanced resource management will be shown.
The service trial to be performed towards the end of the project will round up all previous trials and simulations performed. Real users will be given a chance to use state of the art as well new services covering voice, fax, data, localisation (GPS-like), paging, short message service (SMS), .... These services trials will provide valuable results concerning acceptance and QoS from the viewpoint of a non-technician.
Key Issues
Execution of trials in a real environment using current state-of-the-art satellite and terrestrial networks
Definition and development of key components and protocols of system demonstrator
Analysis of propagation aspects associated with LEO satellite systems and development of a channel model valid for S-UMTS
Test of S-UMTS interworking and integration functionalities
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications simulation software
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Coordinator
00156 Roma
Italy
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.