SatCAST ProjectSatCAST Project

Roberto Donadio

European Space Agency

rdonadio@estec.esa.nl

SatCast Project Final Presentation

Arendal, 27 September 2000

About ESAAbout ESAThe The European Space Agency (ESA)European Space Agency (ESA) is a non-profit inter- is a non-profit inter-governmental organisation with the aim to promote and organise the governmental organisation with the aim to promote and organise the R&D on technology for space applications, for exclusively peaceful R&D on technology for space applications, for exclusively peaceful purposes purposes

All member states participate in All member states participate in activities related to space science and activities related to space science and in a common set of programmes in a common set of programmes (mandatory programmes).(mandatory programmes).

In addition, members choose the level In addition, members choose the level of participation in optional programmesof participation in optional programmes

• Earth observationEarth observation

• TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

• Launcher developmentLauncher development

• Manned space flightManned space flight

• Microgravity researchMicrogravity research

Major Distribution of ESA programmes

(source: Annual

Report 1997)

Total ESA budget 1998: 2.59 BEUR, Telecom Total ESA budget 1998: 2.59 BEUR, Telecom Programmes 165 MEUR (6.4%)Programmes 165 MEUR (6.4%)

ESTECESTECNoordwijk, The NetherlandsEuropean Space Research & Tech. Centre - Staff: 1051

ESA HQESA HQParis, FranceESA Headquarters - Staff: 350

EACEACCologne, GermanyEuropean Astronauts Centre- Staff: 11

ESOCESOCDarmstadt, GermanyEuropean Space Operations Centre - Staff: 244

ESRINESRINFrascati, ItalyEuropean Space Research Institute - Staff: 136

Tot.: 1792 staff

ESA Member StatesESA Member States

Telecommunications R&D in ESATelecommunications R&D in ESA

Main Themes:Main Themes:• Improvement of European industrial capabilities through Improvement of European industrial capabilities through advanced development of communication technologyadvanced development of communication technology• Promotion of new satellite communications services through Promotion of new satellite communications services through experimentation and demonstration:experimentation and demonstration:

• fixed, broadcasting, mobile, data relay, navigationfixed, broadcasting, mobile, data relay, navigation• Cooperation with operating entities:Cooperation with operating entities:

• Eutelsat, Ses, Inmarsat, Intelsat, W. European Telecom OperatorsEutelsat, Ses, Inmarsat, Intelsat, W. European Telecom Operators• Programme budget: 1.2 billions AU duration 1993 - 1999Programme budget: 1.2 billions AU duration 1993 - 1999

ESA R&D in telecommunications is mainly carried out under ESA R&D in telecommunications is mainly carried out under the the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems)Systems) programme. programme.

What are the directions for R&D?What are the directions for R&D?• reduce the cost of the Earth Segmentreduce the cost of the Earth Segment

better coding techniquesbetter coding techniques multi-beam satellitesmulti-beam satellites low-cost components for VSAT stationslow-cost components for VSAT stations

• more more efficient bandwidth utilisationefficient bandwidth utilisation improved access schemesimproved access schemes improved transmission schemesimproved transmission schemes evolution towards transmission at Ka-bandevolution towards transmission at Ka-band

• optimal utilisation of limited on-board resourcesoptimal utilisation of limited on-board resources

Satellite technology for affordable Satellite technology for affordable multimediamultimedia

Line 1: Pilot Systems & ApplicationsLine 1: Pilot Systems & Applications

Development of Satcom Multimedia MarketDevelopment of Satcom Multimedia MarketTheme 1: “Public European High Speed Internet Demonstrators” 1 contractTheme 2: “Tele-Education/Telemedicine Pilot Operations” 7 contractsTheme 4: “Intra-Enterprise and other Networking Demonstrators” 3 contracts + 2 u.n.Theme 5: “Multimedia Satellite Services Pilot Operations” ITT ‘00Theme 6: “Tele-Education/Tele-Health Pilot Services” 3 contractsTheme 7: “Broadband Mobile Pilot Services Implementation” ITT ‘99

Line 2: ComponentsLine 2: ComponentsDevelopment of Satcom System ElementsDevelopment of Satcom System Elements

Theme 1: Near Term Evolution of Satellite Infrastructure Theme 2: Low Cost User Earth Stations, 7 contractsTheme 3: Highly Integrated Radio-Frequency (on-board) Front-Ends, 5 contractsTheme 4: Miniaturised Implementations for Modem and Switches, 2 contractsTheme 5: Inter-Satellite Link Front-Ends, 3 contracts

Line 3: SystemsLine 3: Systems

Pioneering Novel SystemsPioneering Novel Systems

Skybridge, EuroSkyWay, WESTSkybridge, EuroSkyWay, WEST

ARTES 3 projects currently runningARTES 3 projects currently running

… … a few examples later a few examples later

Internet-AttachedDevice

Millions of Text-Based Web Sites

Internet in Evolution: the PastInternet in Evolution: the Past

Internet in Evolution: NowInternet in Evolution: Now

The Case for MulticastingThe Case for Multicasting

Internet evolves to incorporate broadcasting applicationsInternet evolves to incorporate broadcasting applications - the Unicast model does not scale well- the Unicast model does not scale well - a mix of Unicast and Multicast is necessary- a mix of Unicast and Multicast is necessary

Real-time Non-real-time

Multimedia

Data-only

• Video server• Video conferencing• Internet audio• Multimedia Events

• Stock quotes • News feeds • White boarding • Interactive gaming

• Replication: • Video & web servers • Kiosks • Content delivery • Intranet & Internet

• Data delivery • Server-server • Server-desktop • DB replication • SW distribution

• Requires reliability

The Case for Reliable MulticastingThe Case for Reliable Multicasting

ESA has launched a specific R&D programme ESA has launched a specific R&D programme (ARTES 3)(ARTES 3) dedicated to multimedia over satellitededicated to multimedia over satellite

Objectives:Objectives: Develop applications and involve a variety of user groups in the early roll-out of Develop applications and involve a variety of user groups in the early roll-out of services in pre-competitive, but real, environmentsservices in pre-competitive, but real, environments Promote open standards in the satellite industryPromote open standards in the satellite industry Develop the key satellite and ground sub-systems and system technology in Develop the key satellite and ground sub-systems and system technology in order to lessen the service deployment riskorder to lessen the service deployment risk

ESA support to industryESA support to industry

Funding:Funding: Activities are co-funded by ESA and contractors on a 50 % basis. Activities are co-funded by ESA and contractors on a 50 % basis.Exceptions to this co-funding scheme are possible for the following specific cases:Exceptions to this co-funding scheme are possible for the following specific cases:• Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) can be funded up to a maximum of 75%.Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) can be funded up to a maximum of 75%.

• University, institutes and equivalent research centres can be funded up to a maximum University, institutes and equivalent research centres can be funded up to a maximum of 100%.of 100%.

SatCASTSatCAST

- Project started in June ‘99Project started in June ‘99

- Team: West Consulting BV, NLR, University of Salzburg Team: West Consulting BV, NLR, University of Salzburg

Objectives:Objectives:

- to develop a software package for efficient access to Web-based information to develop a software package for efficient access to Web-based information between multiple proxy locations between multiple proxy locations

- extension of the SaWa proxy platform developed under a previous contractextension of the SaWa proxy platform developed under a previous contract

- integration of multicast into the SaWa concept integration of multicast into the SaWa concept

- implementation and adaptation of RRMP protocol under Solaris OS. implementation and adaptation of RRMP protocol under Solaris OS.

Un’Azienda Finmeccanica

-The objective of The objective of MultiMAPMultiMAP is to develop a pilot digital map update is to develop a pilot digital map update communications network via satellite in co-operation with Ordnance Survey, communications network via satellite in co-operation with Ordnance Survey, Britain's national mapping agencyBritain's national mapping agency

- Ordnance Survey foresee that their daily digital map transfer traffic will grow Ordnance Survey foresee that their daily digital map transfer traffic will grow from a volume of 450Mb in 1998 to 1,200 Mb in 2002. The current from a volume of 450Mb in 1998 to 1,200 Mb in 2002. The current terrestrial communications systems employed (ISDN) are adequate for today's terrestrial communications systems employed (ISDN) are adequate for today's usage, but bottlenecks in the system have already been identified, and future usage, but bottlenecks in the system have already been identified, and future growth in communications volume will require significant increases in capacity. growth in communications volume will require significant increases in capacity. -A pilot satellite-based Intranet is currently running, improving the existing A pilot satellite-based Intranet is currently running, improving the existing operations, as well as acting as a catalyst for new data dissemination operations, as well as acting as a catalyst for new data dissemination services that would not be viable within the current terrestrial framework.services that would not be viable within the current terrestrial framework.

Un’Azienda Finmeccanica

-The objective of the The objective of the Advanced Broadcast Architecture for Retail Intranet Services Advanced Broadcast Architecture for Retail Intranet Services (ABARIS)(ABARIS) project is to establish an e-commerce Internet platform based on satellite project is to establish an e-commerce Internet platform based on satellite multicasting. The initial focus is on the delivery of CD quality audio products. multicasting. The initial focus is on the delivery of CD quality audio products.

- ABARISABARIS multicasts music products to customers who are equipped with a computer multicasts music products to customers who are equipped with a computer connected to a standard satellite TV dish antenna. Following reception, each track may connected to a standard satellite TV dish antenna. Following reception, each track may be played using a multimedia PC or written to a CD for use in a standard home or car be played using a multimedia PC or written to a CD for use in a standard home or car hi-fi system. The music encryption scheme employed by ABARIS will protect hi-fi system. The music encryption scheme employed by ABARIS will protect copyrights by preventing unauthorised performances or recordings.copyrights by preventing unauthorised performances or recordings.

-Avanti's partners in the project include V2 Music Group, a leading independent record Avanti's partners in the project include V2 Music Group, a leading independent record company; National Research Group which undertakes world-wide market research into company; National Research Group which undertakes world-wide market research into entertainment products and Central Research Laboratories - a leader in the entertainment products and Central Research Laboratories - a leader in the development of advanced digital intellectual property management technologies.development of advanced digital intellectual property management technologies.

-The objective of -The objective of SiMPLESiMPLE (Satellite Interactive Multimedia Platform for (Satellite Interactive Multimedia Platform for Low-cost Earth-stations) has been the development of a software package Low-cost Earth-stations) has been the development of a software package for advanced multicasting of multimedia Internet content, based onfor advanced multicasting of multimedia Internet content, based on ::

• Automatic multicast Web cache content updating Automatic multicast Web cache content updating • Automatic selection and delivery of content Automatic selection and delivery of content • Decentralised software system for distribution of information Decentralised software system for distribution of information

-Implementation:-Implementation:• Multicast proxies Multicast proxies • Scalable and reliable multicast protocols Scalable and reliable multicast protocols • Web-based Flexible and secured system maintenance and monitoring Web-based Flexible and secured system maintenance and monitoring • Linux and Windows 95/98/NT4.0 based clients Linux and Windows 95/98/NT4.0 based clients • Generation of user profiles at server and client side for optimized content Generation of user profiles at server and client side for optimized content distributiondistribution

- Objective: production and distribution of video-rich learning materials delivered Objective: production and distribution of video-rich learning materials delivered with interactive modules targeted to primary schools with interactive modules targeted to primary schools (pupils from 5 to 11 years old)(pupils from 5 to 11 years old)

- Kids’ expectations from such a system are very demanding: Kids’ expectations from such a system are very demanding: they expect PC to deliver multimedia as good as television, and to be as interactive they expect PC to deliver multimedia as good as television, and to be as interactive as video gamesas video games they do not cope with the they do not cope with the world wide waitworld wide wait: if a PC does not respond quickly to their : if a PC does not respond quickly to their mouse clicks, they lose concentration, and start doing something else mouse clicks, they lose concentration, and start doing something else they must be “guided” in the Internet jungle in intelligent way (a difficult, time they must be “guided” in the Internet jungle in intelligent way (a difficult, time consuming task often beyond the teachers capabilities) consuming task often beyond the teachers capabilities)

- Several elements of the modules have to be refreshed every week Several elements of the modules have to be refreshed every week (e.g. news clips, (e.g. news clips, extracts from newspapers, web links, guide to TV educational programmes). This, extracts from newspapers, web links, guide to TV educational programmes). This, associated with the need to have a broad dissemination of the material, makes the satellite associated with the need to have a broad dissemination of the material, makes the satellite platform (package delivery via ASTRA-NET) very attractiveplatform (package delivery via ASTRA-NET) very attractive

Information is available on Information is available on the web at:the web at:http://telecom.estec.esa.nl/artes/http://telecom.estec.esa.nl/artes/

including an overview of including an overview of the running projects and a the running projects and a pointer to the open tenderspointer to the open tenders

To know To know moremore

Satellites are now increasingly used for providing fast Internet accessSatellites are now increasingly used for providing fast Internet accessApplications: Applications:

• Traditional applications designed for unicast transmissionTraditional applications designed for unicast transmission

• Applications tailored to the point-to-multipoint environmentApplications tailored to the point-to-multipoint environment

The need for tailored applicationsThe need for tailored applications

Advantage (with satellite): Advantage (with satellite): only enhanced speedonly enhanced speed

Disadvantage -->> not very efficient, Disadvantage -->> not very efficient, not exploiting the potential of the not exploiting the potential of the mediamedia

Plus: very efficient on satellitePlus: very efficient on satellite Constraint: full compatibility to the Constraint: full compatibility to the mainstream Internet environment mainstream Internet environment (seamless integration)(seamless integration)

There is the There is the need to develop new applicationsneed to develop new applications in order to allow the in order to allow the satellite services to be attractive and financially viablesatellite services to be attractive and financially viable and demonstrate and demonstrate themthem in pilot systemsin pilot systems

 Development of the Satcom Development of the Satcom Multimedia MarketMultimedia Market

• Development of applicationsDevelopment of applications in: in: - tele-medicine tele-medicine

- tele-education tele-education

- Intranets Intranets

- high speed Internethigh speed Internet

services in pre-competitive, but real, environmentsservices in pre-competitive, but real, environments

• Promotion of open standardsPromotion of open standards for interactive satellite terminals for interactive satellite terminals

• Involvement of a variety ofInvolvement of a variety ofuser groupsuser groups in early roll-out of in early roll-out of

  Development of the Satcom Development of the Satcom System ElementsSystem Elements

• System System building blocksbuilding blocks such as onboard processing technology, such as onboard processing technology, intelligent antennas, inter-satellite links and communications intelligent antennas, inter-satellite links and communications control techniquescontrol techniques

• Ground systemsGround systems such as low cost such as low cost user terminals and those elements of user terminals and those elements of satellite infrastructure which are satellite infrastructure which are necessary to support the interfaces necessary to support the interfaces with service providerswith service providers

Pioneering Novel SystemPioneering Novel System• Support actionsSupport actions to European Industry proposing new satellite to European Industry proposing new satellite

systemssystems

• Risk mitigationRisk mitigation in new satellite enterprises in new satellite enterprises

Perceived RisksPerceived Risks Time to Market …………... Technology ……………….

Competitive Landscape …..• Capital Plan• Regulatory/Licensing

ESA can helps with:ESA can helps with:Advanced development of key systemAdvanced development of key system technologytechnologyCo-funding of key system components Co-funding of key system components developmentdevelopmentSupporting standards definitionSupporting standards definition

- The objective of the The objective of the WEBSATWEBSAT project is to establish and conduct technical and project is to establish and conduct technical and functional field tests of a demonstration high speed Internet service using a low functional field tests of a demonstration high speed Internet service using a low cost "Return-Link" system previously developed. cost "Return-Link" system previously developed.

- During the initial development phase Armstrong established an ISP satellite During the initial development phase Armstrong established an ISP satellite gateway (Hub) with direct high speed connection to the Internet backbone.gateway (Hub) with direct high speed connection to the Internet backbone.

- First phase testing was conducted to assess traffic profile for a given amount of First phase testing was conducted to assess traffic profile for a given amount of space segment.space segment.

- Second phase addressing pilot pre-commercial service to various users dispersed Second phase addressing pilot pre-commercial service to various users dispersed across the footprint of a Eutelsat W-Series satellite (currently running).across the footprint of a Eutelsat W-Series satellite (currently running).

- Commercial service already announced Commercial service already announced

electronicselectronics

IP over Direct Broadcasting IP over Direct Broadcasting Satellites: an enabling technologySatellites: an enabling technology

Growing acceptance of DVB as the standard Growing acceptance of DVB as the standard for digital TV broadcasting. The 50 millions for digital TV broadcasting. The 50 millions satellite households* in Europe are now satellite households* in Europe are now migrating to digital. *migrating to digital. *DTH+SMATVDTH+SMATV

This creates a large potential user base for This creates a large potential user base for data broadcasting over DVB.data broadcasting over DVB.

Standards for data over DVB are in place : Standards for data over DVB are in place : ETSI 301 192 ETSI 301 192 ““Digital video Broadcasting (DVB); DVB Specification for Data Broadcasting”

As a result the cost of data reception As a result the cost of data reception equipment (e.g. DVB decoding cards for PC equipment (e.g. DVB decoding cards for PC platforms) have fallen sharply and will platforms) have fallen sharply and will continue to do so.continue to do so.Satellites are now offered to access to Satellites are now offered to access to

broadband services at high speed in a point-broadband services at high speed in a point-to multipoint configuration, allowing to multipoint configuration, allowing applications which are not possible with the applications which are not possible with the most common means of access (e.g. most common means of access (e.g. modem, ISDN)modem, ISDN)

IP over DVB as an enabling technology to IP over DVB as an enabling technology to deploy fast, geographically dispersed access deploy fast, geographically dispersed access to broadband access at low costto broadband access at low cost