Technology Disruptions in Future Communication Payloads (Technologies de rupture pour futures charges utiles de telecommunications)
Abstract
The future market of satellite telecommunications will be shaped by four main trends: democratization, regionalization, digitalization, and the use of higher frequency bands. To cope with the economic and technical demands of the market and to compete with terrestrial networks, operators and manufacturers will need to upgrade their satellites. The evolution of satellite communications could go one of three ways: gigantism, adaptation, or modularity. Any of these ways will require satellite payloads to evolve from present levels of complexity that are mainly suited for TV broadcasting and telephone trunking in the Ku and C bands, to a new and higher level of complexity. In any scenario, innovative and disruptive technologies will be welcome. A first wave of disruptive technologies could come from optical and optoelectronic technologies. The rapid expansion of these techniques in terabit terrestrial networks could benefit satellite wideband payloads. Large bandwidth, mass savings, flexibility, and advanced processing are expected. A second wave of disruptive technologies could come from the cold, specifically, chill electronics, superconductivity, and cryogenics. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) allow for very low noise front ends and compact and lossless filters. Low-temperature superconductors (LTS) used in rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) logic integrated circuits give the required computing power for wideband signal processing and analog-to-digital flash conversion of microwave signals. Digital signal processing also will bring disruptions to communication satellites. Digital techniques will enhance every aspect of payload processing, including beam forming, filtering, routing, linearization, and demodulation. Digitized onboard processors will enhance flexibility, performance, and reconfigurability. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) also will play a leading role in the design of next-generation payloads.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 13, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA445566
Entities
People
- Jean-didier Gayrard