Exploring space

SAILOR: As terrestrial telecoms dial into satellite networks

Improving the integration of satellite networks with more traditional terrestrial telephone infrastructures, will help next generation telephony move from concept towards reality, as researchers are demonstrating. The IST-funded SAILOR project demonstrated the viability of combining telecom services from both terrestrial and satellite-based UMTS networks, to produce communication services that combine the best of the advantages from these widely differing infrastructures.

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The new system provides more flexibility in terms of quality of services; saves network capacity through the ability to exploit the advantages of satellite technology; and minimises costs of new services for telecoms operators and equipment manufacturers by making possible the design and use of low-cost communication terminals.

The SAILOR platform embraces high-speed data as well as voice services, and exploits the special features of satellite communication to best advantage, i.e. providing coverage to geographic areas suffering from limited or no telecommunications service (which can include ships at sea as well as land-based destinations), and boosting the bandwidth and hence speed of all connections. The platform also focuses on an ‘exploitable’ approach to combining the different architectures; the services offered are designed to be affordable as well as high-quality.

SATNEX: A pan-European space for satellite communications

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Satellite communication’s wide coverage and speed to deliver new services are going to be key to fulfilling the higher data rate radio interfaces required to meet the consumer demand of being optimally connected anywhere, anytime. Satellites, used for broadcast, mobile and broadband communication, give Europe its competitive edge in Information and Communication Technologies and guarantee the EU autonomy in space. The combined efforts of R&D initiatives of the European Space Agency and the EU’s Framework Programmes have created a solid industrial base. However, until the IST-funded SATNEX project, there was limited cooperation and a lack of critical mass.

Members of the SATNEX consortium have a collective research portfolio and developed a common base of knowledge. By working together they avoid duplication. To ensure effective communication among SATNEX members, they established a common pan-European platform to provide equitable access to real-time communication services. This platform, which overcomes the disparities between the various national ground network infrastructures and/or local security policies, provides a wide range of opportunities for day-to-day communications, research and training. Training is another important part of the SATNEX project and is supported through numerous initiatives, including hosting internship projects, establishing an annual summer school and disseminating tutorial papers.

GAWAIN: Satnav and 3G cellular services on one mobile phone

The IST funded GAWAIN project aims to combine satellite and 3G telephony facilities within one device. This would achieve to combine satellite positioning (Galileo/GPS) with 3G mobile phone technology on a single chip. The result could unlock the future for applications like smart tourism services, smart transport management and even electronic guide dogs for the blind.

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An integrated chip like this reduces the number of components and power consumption. The advent of such an integrated chip could finally unlock the future potential for location-based services. For example, in smart transport the devices could be used to tell commuters when the next bus will arrive at a particular stop. Smart tourism services could also supply information that is relevant to the user's present location. The real advantage of services like these, however, is the many as-yet-unimagined services that they could make possible.

INSPIRE: Bringing satellite broadband to Britain

There still remain many areas of Europe without access to broadband internet, but a project supported by the European Space Agency’s Satellite Telecommunications Department is helping to bridge this digital divide.

It aims to provide broadband connectivity primarily to home users in rural areas of the UK and Ireland. Equipped with a range of applications, INSPIRE not only proves the commercial viability of such a service, but also demonstrates the benefits of both basic and advanced broadband services. The applications have been designed especially with rural users in mind. Key among these is a community channel, which allows users to create their own community websites with locally produced content. This is especially important for local businesses which could otherwise not afford such a capability.

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Because rural residents are not only far from urban centres but also far from other members of their own community, other applications have been added. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) can be used as an alternative to telephone. Eventually the service will also offer video-chat for residential users and video-conferencing applications for businesses.

Applications alone will not bridge the digital divide. To be a success, any solution also needs to be affordable. Although more expensive than terrestrial solutions, technical advances have increased the competitiveness of satellite broadband.