Lasercomm Activities at the German Aerospace Center’s Institute of Communications and Navigation

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has a heritage of more than 25 years in working on optical inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground links. The Institute of Communications and Navigation (IKN), as a research organization of DLR, has developed coherent homodyne BPSK transmission schemes with world record sensitivity as they are now implemented in the space-proven Laser Communication Terminals (LCT) for the European Data Relay System (EDRS). Further research being pursued at IKN includes the development of transmission systems optimized for atmospheric scenarios such as LEO downlinks, aircraft downlinks and inter-HAP links (High Altitude Platforms). For such scenarios with extreme index-of-refraction turbulence, robust adaptive optics technologies have been investigated and suitable data transceivers have been tested. Furthermore, several verification campaigns with prototype flight terminals and optical ground stations (fixed and transportable) have been performed in recent years, providing a large data basis for optimizing the long-range FSO technology

Pre-correction Adaptive Optics performance of a 10 km Laser Link

For the next generation of very high throughput communication satellites, free-space optical (FSO) communication between ground stations and geostationary telecommunication satellites is likely to replace conventional RF links. To mitigate atmospheric turbulence, TNO and DLR propose Adaptive Optics (AO) to apply uplink pre-correction. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of AO pre-correction an FSO link has been tested over a 10 km range. This paper shows that AO pre-correction is most advantageous for low point ahead angles (PAAs), as expected. In addition, an optimum AO precorrection performance is found at 16 AO modes for the experimental conditions. For the specific test site, tip-tilt precorrection accounted for 4.5 dB improvement in the link budget. Higher order AO modes accounted for another 1.5 dB improvement in the link budget. From these results it is concluded that AO pre-correction can effectively improve highthroughput optical feeder links

Satellite-5G integration: a network perspective

Future 5G mobile communication systems are expected to integrate different radio access technologies, including the satellite component. Within the 5G framework, the terrestrial services can be augmented with the development of HTS systems and new mega-constellations meeting 5G requirements, such as high bandwidth, low latency, and increased coverage including rural areas, air, and seas. This article provides an overview of the current 5G initiatives and projects followed by a proposed architecture for 5G satellite networks where the SDN/NFV approach facilitates the integration with the 5G terrestrial system. In addition, a novel technique based on network coding is analyzed for the joint exploitation of multiple paths in such an integrated satellite-terrestrial system. For TCP-based applications, an analytical model is presented to achieve an optimal traffic split between terrestrial and satellite paths and optimal redundancy levels

Technology Directions for the 21st Century

New technologies will unleash the huge capacity of fiber-optic cable to meet growing demands for bandwidth. Companies will continue to replace private networks with public network bandwidth-on-demand. Although asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is the transmission technology favored by many, its penetration will be slower than anticipated. Hybrid networks - e.g., a mix of ATM, frame relay, and fast Ethernet - may predominate, both as interim and long-term solutions, based on factors such as availability, interoperability, and cost. Telecommunications equipment and services prices will decrease further due to increased supply and more competition. Explosive Internet growth will continue, requiring additional backbone transmission capacity and enhanced protocols, but it is not clear who will fund the upgrade. Within ten years, space-based constellations of satellites in Low Earth orbit (LEO) will serve mobile users employing small, low-power terminals. 'Little LEO's' will provide packet transmission services and geo-position determination. 'Big LEO's' will function as global cellular telephone networks, with some planning to offer video and interactive multimedia services. Geosynchronous satellites also are proposed for mobile voice grade links and high-bandwidth services. NASA may benefit from resulting cost reductions in components, space hardware, launch services, and telecommunications services

DL­R­magazine 164 – Rolling out the red car­pet for IS­TAR

A special kind of star is seen behind a curtain on the cover of the latest DLRmagazine. Its name, ISTAR, stands for In-flight Systems and Technology Airborne Research. Its future is clear: gradually expanded and equipped with highly specialised measurement technology, the latest addition to DLR's research aircraft fleet should soon be able to simulate the flight characteristics of any aircraft in flight. In the April issue of the DLRmagazine, you can also expect to meet stars made of flesh and blood, such as Jessika Wichner, the head of the DLR Central Archive. She spends her days preserving the past and present for the future. Our partners in conversation on the subject of aviation also look to the future: atmospheric researcher Sigrun Matthes reports on how non-carbon dioxide effects influence the climate, and Christian Eschmann talks about unmanned aircraft systems and their influence on the air traffic of the future. Our future mobility is also the subject of the article about the Test Field in Lower Saxony. DLR is investigating autonomous driving functions there. Space enthusiasts will get an in-depth look at a 'planetary affair'. What do we know about our planetary neighbour Venus and what we have yet to learn. Although our lives have somewhat been turned around in spring of 2020 and all kinds of things are uncertain, the DLRmagazine brings to you its reports, interviews and news from DLR's research and development … and work on the summer edition is already underway

COGNITIVE MULTI-USER FREE SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATION

Increasing deployment of terrestrial, aerial, and space-based assets designed with more demanding services and applications is dramatically escalating the need for high capacity, high data-rate, adaptive, and flexible communication networks. Cognitive, multi-user Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) networks provide a solution to address these challenges. Such FSOC networks can potentially merge automation and intelligence, as well as offer the benefits of optical communication with enhanced bandwidth and data-rate over long communication networks. Extensive research has investigated various designs, techniques, and methods to enable desired FSOC systems. This dissertation reports the investigation and analysis of novel, state-of-the-art methodologies and algorithms for supporting cognitive, multi-user FSOC. This work details an investigation of the ability of diverse Optical-Multiple Access Control (O-MAC) techniques for performing multi-point communication. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) techniques were experimentally validated, both singularly and in a combined approach, in a high-speed FSOC link. These methods proved to successfully support multi-user FSOC when users share allocation resources (e.g., time, bandwidth, and space, among others). Additionally, transmission and channel parameters that can affect signal reconstruction performance were identified. To introduce cognition and flexibility into the network, the research reported herein details the use of several Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for estimating crucial parameters at the Physical Layer (PHY) of FSOC networks (e.g., number of transmitting users, modulation format, and quality of transmission [QoT]) for automatically supporting and decoding multiple users. In particular, a novel methodology based on a weighted clustering analysis for automatic and blind user discovery is presented in this work. Extensive experimental analysis was conducted under multiple communication scenarios to identify system performance and limitations. Experimental results demonstrated the ability of the proposed techniques to successfully estimate parameters of interest with high accuracy. Finally, this dissertation presents the design and testing of a modular, multiple node, high-speed, real-time Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) testbed, which provides a hardware and software platform for testing proposed methods and for further research development. This dissertation successfully proves the feasibility of cognitive, multi-user FSOC through the developed and presented methodologies, as well as extensive experimental analyses. The main strength of the research outcomes of this work consists of exploiting software solutions (e.g., O-MAC, signal processing, and ML techniques) to intelligently support multiple users into a single optical channel (i.e., same allocation resources). Accordingly, Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) requirement can be reduced while achieving an increased network capacity

A REVIEW STUDY OF EUROPEAN R&D PROJECTS FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS IN 5G/6G ERA

Κατά τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες τα δορυφορικά συστήματα τηλεπικοινωνιών έχουν προσφέρει μια γκάμα από πολυμεσικές υπηρεσίες όπως δορυφορική τηλεόραση, δορυφορική τηλεφωνία και ευρυζωνική πρόσβαση στο διαδίκτυο. Οι μακροπρόθεσμες τεχνολογικές αναβαθμίσεις σε συνδυασμό με την προσθήκη νέων δορυφορικών συστημάτων γεωστατικής και ελλειπτικής τροχιάς και με την ενσωμάτωση τεχνολογιών πληροφορικής έχουν ωθήσει την αύξηση του μέγιστου εύρους των δορυφόρων στο 1Gbps σε μεμονωμένους δορυφόρους ενώ σε διάταξη αστερισμού μπορούν να ξεπεράσουν το 1 Tbps. Σε συνδυασμό με την μείωση του χρόνου απόκρισης σε ρυθμούς ανταγωνιστικούς με τις χερσαίες υποδομές ανοίγουν νέες ευκαιρίες και νέους ρόλους εντός ενός οικοσυστήματος ετερογενούς δικτύων 5ης γενιάς. Σε αυτήν την διατριβή, αξιολογούμε επιδοτούμενα επιστημονικά προγράμματα έρευνας και ανάπτυξης της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής Διαστήματος (ESA) και του προγράμματος επιδότησης Horizon 2020 της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, προκειμένου να εξηγήσουμε τις δυνατότητες των δορυφόρων εντός ενός ετερογενούς δικτύου 5ης γενιάς, αναφέρουμε συγκεκριμένα αυτά που αφορούν την εξέλιξη των δορυφορικών ψηφιακών συστημάτων και την ικανότητα ενσωμάτωσης τους σε τωρινές αλλά και μελλοντικές υποδομές χερσαίων τηλεπικοινωνιακών δικτύων μέσω της εμφάνισης νέων τεχνολογιών στις ηλεκτρονικές και οπτικές επικοινωνίες αέρος μαζί με την εμφάνιση τεχνολογιών πληροφορικής όπως της δικτύωσης βασισμένης στο λογισμικό και της εικονικοποίησης λειτουργιών δικτύου. Αναφερόμαστε στους στόχους του κάθε project ξεχωριστά και κατηγοριοποιημένα στους ακόλουθους τομείς έρευνας: -Συσσωμάτωση των δορυφόρων με τα επίγεια δίκτυα 5ης γενιάς με οργανωμένες μελέτες και στρατηγικές -Ενσωμάτωση των τεχνολογιών δικτύωσης βασισμένης στο λογισμικό και εικονικοποίησης λειτουργιών δικτύου στο δορυφορικών τμήμα των δικτύων 5ης γενιάς -Ο ρόλος των δορυφόρων σε εφαρμογές του διαδικτύου των πραγμάτων σε συνάφεια με τα χερσαία δίκτυα 5ης γενιάς -Ο ρόλος των δορυφόρων στην δίκτυα διανομής πολυμεσικού περιεχομένου & η επιρροή των πρωτοκόλλων διαδικτύου στην ποιότητα υπηρεσίας χρήστη κατά την διάρκεια μιας δορυφορικής σύνδεσης. -Μελλοντικές βελτιώσεις και εφαρμογές στα δορυφορικά συστήματα με έμφαση στα μελλοντικά πρότυπα του φυσικό επιπέδου Στο τέλος διαθέτουμε ένα παράρτημα που αφορά τεχνικές αναλύσεις στην εξέλιξη του φυσικού επιπέδου των δορυφορικών συστημάτων, συνοδευόμενο με την συσχετιζόμενη βιβλιογραφία για περαιτέρω μελέτη.Over the last decades satellite telecommunication systems offer many types of multimedia services like Satellite TV, telephony and broadband internet access. The long-term technological evolutions occurred into state-of-the-art satellite systems altogether with the addition of new high throughput geostatic and non-geostatic systems, individual satellites can now achieve a peak bandwidth of up to Gbps, and with possible extension into satellite constellation systems the total capacity can reach up to Tbps. Supplementary, with systems latency being comparable to terrestrial infrastructures and with integration of several computer science technologies, satellite systems can achieve new & more advanced roles inside a heterogeneous 5G network’s ecosystem. In this thesis, we have studied European Space Agency (ESA’s) and European Union’s (EU) Horizon 2020 Research and Development (R&D) funded projects in order to describe the satellite capabilities within a 5G heterogeneous network, mentioning the impact of the evolution of digital satellite communications and furthermore the integration with the state-of the art & future terrain telecommunication systems by new technologies occurred through the evolution of electronic & free space optical communications alongside with the integration of computer science’s technologies like Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). In order to describe this evolution we have studied the concepts of each individual project, categorized chronically and individual by its scientific field of research. Our main scientific trends for this thesis are: -Satellite Integration studies & strategies into the 5G terrestrial networks -Integration of SDN and NFV technologies on 5G satellite component -Satellite’s role in the Internet of Things applications over 5G terrestrial networks -Satellite’s role in Content Distribution Networks & internet protocols impact over user’s Quality of Experience (QoE) over a satellite link -The future proposals upon the evolution of Satellite systems by upcoming improvements and corresponding standards Finally, we have created an Annex for technical details upon the evolution of physical layer of the satellite systems with the corresponding bibliography of this thesis for future study

On the Road to 6G: Visions, Requirements, Key Technologies and Testbeds

Fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems have entered the stage of commercial development, providing users with new services and improved user experiences as well as offering a host of novel opportunities to various industries. However, 5G still faces many challenges. To address these challenges, international industrial, academic, and standards organizations have commenced research on sixth generation (6G) wireless communication systems. A series of white papers and survey papers have been published, which aim to define 6G in terms of requirements, application scenarios, key technologies, etc. Although ITU-R has been working on the 6G vision and it is expected to reach a consensus on what 6G will be by mid-2023, the related global discussions are still wide open and the existing literature has identified numerous open issues. This paper first provides a comprehensive portrayal of the 6G vision, technical requirements, and application scenarios, covering the current common understanding of 6G. Then, a critical appraisal of the 6G network architecture and key technologies is presented. Furthermore, existing testbeds and advanced 6G verification platforms are detailed for the first time. In addition, future research directions and open challenges are identified for stimulating the on-going global debate. Finally, lessons learned to date concerning 6G networks are discussed