Objective
Main Objective
ASSET's main aim is to validate, both theoretically and experimentally, the EuroSkyWay (ESW) system design concepts, with primary focus on the (i) network end-to-end performance, (ii) broadband traffic and mobility management, and (iii) on board switching architecture.
The validation approach is based on a comprehensive end-to-end system demonstrator which includes all cumulative effects on both fixed and mobile channels, and the complete set of communication layers. This should allow the evaluation of the offered GoS in a pre-operative environment and shorten the time to market for a European broadband satellite network together with its key elements.
Technical Approach
The project consists of two phases devoted to: (i) study the basic system consolidation; (ii) demonstrate the capabilities of the end-user terminal, on-board regenerator prototype (space qualified) and the overall end-to-end system. The study phase addresses the specification and design of the ESW network by providing the analysis and rationale for choosing the system parameter values, and conducting simulation modelling of the satellite and terrestrial sections to predict quantitatively the network GoS for different traffic scenarios. The requirements and design of a multi-Gigabit on-board intelligent switch, with capability to route single cells from the input carrier to the destination carrier under the control of the on board Traffic Resource Manager which assigns and releases band on demand, will be assessed. In addition, the critical procedures for the management and control of end-to-end connections over multi-satellite, multi-protocol systems supporting user and terminal mobility will be evaluated.
The demonstration phase addresses the end-to-end system capabilities providing quantitative evaluations of the network's GoS and traffic management efficiency. This will be achieved by running multimedia services sessions, implementing a complete protocol stack (from the physical up to the transport layer), first in a laboratory environment and subsequently via the Italsat Ka-band operating satellite. The adopted demonstrator will also include (i) user terminals with data rates up to 2 MBit/s on the up-link and 33 Mbit/s on the down-links (ii) a prototype of the regeneration and switching stage, which include representative units of the on-board processor (i.e. 2x8MBit/s Multi-Carrier Demodulators, 'ATM like' Switch, two 33 MBit/s Modulators) (iii) a prototype of the Network Operation Centre, for the functionality concerning the connection and mobility management (iv) the prototypes of Network Interface Unit for both the end-user terminal and the Gateway.
Summary of Trial
Trials and service demonstrations are key parts of ASSET. Two scenarios will be demonstrated:
-Satellite User-Terrestrial User: In this scenario, a mobile user of the satellite target system needs to access an external, typically terrestrial, network. The satellite system user terminal (UT1) will be connected to a user (UT2) which belongs to the terrestrial network domain. A Wide Area Network (WAN) based on the ATM protocol has been selected as terrestrial network. The user at UT1 will be connected via the satellite to a gateway which represents the interface between the satellite system and the terrestrial ATM network, and is able to directly interface to an ATM switch. In this scenario, it will be shown that the entities of the applications (Video Conference and IP file transfer) at the UT1 side, will communicate with the peer entities hosted by a terminal belonging to the different domain, namely the ATM terrestrial network domain. The trials will be conducted in the laboratory and in the ITALSAT satellite environments.
-Satellite User - Satellite User: In this scenario, two mobile ESW satellite users communicate over a platform using protocols supporting present and future multimedia services. The following applications will be demonstrated: (i) file transfer and (ii) audio conference (adopting IPv6 protocol), (iii) Video Conference (native ATM application). The table below summarises the trials which will be executed in the frame of the ASSET project.
Expected Achievements
A consolidated system and key elements design to start the development phase for the EuroSkyWay system. Moreover, at the user terminal and the onboard regenerative stage, a set of performance measurement and trials results should allow reliable definition of the more critical parameters of an advanced broadband satellite end-to-end service operating in multiprotocol environment.
Expected Impact
A huge potential market is foreseen for multimedia services over global satellite networks. ASSET focuses the current work in ACTS and ESA on the realisation of a European system for deployment in the 2002-2010 time frame, and to compete directly with systems proposed in the US and other places in the world. This broadband (Ka band) satellite system achieves ACTS general objectives to integrate/interwork the fixed and mobile networks.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
Ka band satellite access infrastructure using a prototype on board switch and showing integration capabilities with ATM and IP networks
Contribution to the programme
Validation of advanced technologies (on board switching) in a trial context and of compatibility of the retained approach with terrestrial networks based on ATM and/or IP technologies.
Key Issues
The assessment of a broadband satellite system design for two way links (fixed and mobile) with flexible adaptation to the emerging standards using low cost end-user terminals, and adopting an on-board "ATM like" cell switch. The verification of the network GoS via a demonstrator reproducing pre-operative environment is of paramount importance for the satellite service creation. Moreover ASSET intends to provide a contribution to the standardisation of the access network (ETSI BRAN, ATM Forum, IETF etc.) and of the terminals for a global service.
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.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternettransport layer
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network
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Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
00131 Rome
Italy