| Business | Period | Project Coordinator | Funding Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | July 2023 - September 2025 | RINA Consulting S.p.A. |
ESA - European Space Agency |
INCLUSER is an ESA-funded Project whose objective is to:
- develop an integrated wideband multiplexer in the K/Ka-Band, supporting both terrestrial and satellite 5G communications, and compatible with flat-panel antennas.
- validate the functionalities of the wideband multiplexer in the K/Ka-Band on a breadboard, as a first step in technology validation.
The development of this technique represents an enabling factor in addressing the upcoming trend in satellite communications. This trend envisions the utilization of High Throughput Satellites (HTS) that exploit Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) communication methodology.
Therefore, to adapt to upcoming trends and assure 5G satellite developments competitive, the need to adjust the architectures to the FDD communication mode arises.
In this process of technological innovation, the possibility of integrating terrestrial 5G services with space assets assumes an important relevance, providing for hybrid-type architectures and deployments, guaranteeing a strategic position of Europe in forecast of future developments.
Integrated wideband multiplexers can be incorporated into standard user terminals using 5G technology (including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices).
To assure the integrability to be compatible with these devices, maintaining the paradigms of compactness, reduction of the complexity, consumption, and usability by the end user in common contexts or customized to specific services, it is of significant importance to identify methodologies based on MMIC techniques (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits) that can be in line with the needs previously described.
The Project is coordinated by RINA, leading a Consortium composed by:
- RAME S.r.l as technical developer of the MMIC Multiplexer
- Omica S.r.l. as responsible of system engineering
- Cordon Electronics Italia S.r.l. as responsible of the Test Phase
The main activities of this project are:
- System scenario, technical specification definition, technical saseline identification: identification of operational scenarios and use cases, identification of KPIs for technological benchmarking. State-of- the-art survey and critical assessment of the identified technological options. Definition of the technical specifications of the system. Selection of the technological baseline to be followed in the subsequent design phases.
- Design and manufacturing of the multiplexer and the demonstrator: the identified technical solution will be further developed during the design phase. This phase will be assisted by specific analyzes and simulations to optimize the theoretical performance. The design concerns both the product of the activity, i.e. the wideband multiplexer, and the breadboard necessary for its validation. The MMIC devices and the Breadboard will be then manufactured. Once the MMICs have been implemented, a series of first functional tests will be performed.
- Verification plan: definition of the validation plan, which will include the definition of a set of test cases aimed at verifying compliance with the technical specifications. Each test case will be accompanied by its procedures and success criteria.
- Test campaign: the MMIC devices will be installed in the Breadboard specifically developed and manufactured for the execution of the tests, which will take place in a laboratory environment equipped with instrumentation suitable for performing radiofrequency tests and measuring the system performance.
-Technology assessment and development plan: technological evaluation of the developed devices on the basis of the performances obtained. Identification of developments to increase the TRL (technology readiness level) of the technologies developed and roadmap.
The objective of this project is to advance the development of a K/Ka-Band wideband multiplexer, serving as an enabling technology for integrating terrestrial and satellite networks. This advancement aims to enhance the usability and service quality for end users by leveraging techniques based on hybrid network architectures.
