Joint satellite communication and radio frequency sensing for 6g non-terrestrial networks (artes 4.0 spl 5g/6g 3f.042) expro+

The objective of this activity is to develop, implement and test a radio frequency air interface for joint satellite communication and sensing purposes in a representative system scenario and a commonly selected frequency band. A test-bed will be used to evaluatethe ranging/RF sensing accuracy and achievable throughput without degradation of the communication channel.Targeted Improvements:Compared to the existing opportunistic sensing systems using communication signals, improve the accuracy and performance of the detection and ranging measurement by 50%. Improve the throughput efficiency of the joint communications and sensing air interface by 40%compared to the state of-the-art.Description: Joint communication and sensing (JCAS) emerged as a way to improve the utilisationof the spectrum resources as well as the infrastructure both at space and on ground by sharing the same physical layer solution. Several emerging application scenarios such as space situational awareness (SSA), maritime surveillance, autonomous shipping, air traffic control of UAVs as well as in-land geo-localisations and machine-to-machine communications in remote areas are examples of possible joint satellite communications and sensing applications. Standardisation bodies, such as 3GPP or ETSI, are in fact now discussing JCAS from the operational and regulatory perspectives. Current research results indicate that advanced signal processing techniques in the air interface design would allow coexistence of radio detection and ranging to share spectrum with satellite communicationssystems. Other strategies such as sharing the transmit/receive hardware units, waveform adaptations and design could also be employed. During this activity, the performance of the joint air interface design in terms of critical parameter such as the estimation accuracy as well as the achievable communication throughput shall be compared with the results based on the opportunistic signals fromexisting 3GPP waveforms. Furthermore, the outcome of the activity will be presented to the relevant 3GPP standardisation groups (SAand RAN) and serve as a benchmark for possibly new air interface standards, servicing both remote sensing and communication services. The following technical challenges need to be addressed: - The design of an air interface that allows measuring accurately signal characteristics at the receiver (such as timing, phase and directional of arrival) for remote sensing while maintaining a high spectral efficiency for communications, and full-duplex operation with a capability of continuous transmission and reception for remotesensing applications. - The complexity of transmitters and receivers that reach the required accuracy for remote sensing while minimising the impact on the communication link throughput, would require architectural design trade-off and techniques selection and verifications. - Definition of scenarios regarding available and future payload technologies (antenna, front-end and processing). Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises/Opportunities_for_SMEs/Procurement_policy_on_fair_access_for_SMEs_-_the_C1-C4_Clauses Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises/Opportunities_for_SMEs/Procurement_policy_on_fair_access_for_SMEs_-_the_C1-C4_Clauses