Satcom for Railway Communications - Benefits in a Bearer Flexible Scenario
ETSI Workshop "Developing the Future Radio for Rail Transport“ 4-5 July 2018, Sophia Antipolis - France
1 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Table of Contents
Brief introduction to Satellite Communications (SatCom)
SatCom as a complement of terrestrial systems in a multi-technology environment
SatCom challenges in the railway environment
Recall of ERA Study outcomes - Key messages from the ERA Study Final Report
Current projects: Iris for Railway Communications
Conclusions
2 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Introduction to Satellite Systems – Orbit Types
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Altitude: 7000-20000 km
Highly Elliptical Orbit Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Geostationary Orbit (GEO) (HEO) Altitude: 750-2000 km Altitude: 35786 km
3 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Introduction to Satellite Systems: Coverage Types
Key Design Parameters: - Type of coverage (system designer) depending on the requested service area (customer) - Spot beams dimensions => gain and frequency re-use - Satellite antenna dimensions and typologies vs performance and accommodation platform and launcher - Type of orbits
4 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Introduction to Satellite Systems – Typical SatCom System Architecture
Space Segment Mobile Links Fixed Links Feeder Links TT&C Links Inter-satellite Links
Terrestrial Core Fixed Mobile/Portable SCC NCC NMC GW Networks Terminal Terminal User Segment Operator Segment GW: Gateway MS: Management Station NCC: Network Control Centre Ground Segment NMC: Network Management Centre SCC: Satellite Control Centre
5 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Introduction to Satellite Systems: Frequency Bands
6 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Benefits of SatCom
Main benefits Global connectivity: anywhere, anytime Costs are distance insensitive Service to mobile users Wideband capability to support High Speed Data and Digital Services Freedom from natural barriers (island, mountains, deserts) Better coverage of rural and underdeveloped areas Easy service deployment Highly reliable and predictable
7 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Recent Thales Alenia Space heritage on LEO & GEO Satellites - State of art
Satellite Launch Date COSMO-SkyMed ATLANTIC BIRD 1 SICRAL 1 SICRAL 1 07 Feb. 2001 ATLANTIC BIRD 1 28 Aug. 2002 COSMO-SkyMed 07 June 2007 8 COSMO-SkyMed-2 08 December 2007 RADARSAT-2 14 December 2007 COSMO-SkyMed-3 23 October 2008 SICRAL 1B SICRAL 1B 20 Apr. 2009 RADARSAT-2 COSMO-SkyMed-4 6 November 2010 ATHENA FIDUS 26 Feb. 2014 SENTINEL-1A 03 April 2014 SICRAL 2 26 Apr. 2015 SICRAL 2 SENTINEL-1B 22 April 2016 SENTINEL-3 SENTINEL-3A 16 February 2016 SENTINEL-3B 2018 SENTINEL-3C 2021 SENTINEL-3D 2022 COSMO 2nd Gen PFM Q1/2018 COSMO 2nd Gen FM2 Q1/2019 SENTINEL-1C 2021 SENTINEL-1D 2021 ATHENA SENTINEL-1 FIDUS Mirror05/04/2018 GovSatCom 2022 8 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. =
9 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Mobile and Portable SatCom Terminals
Mobile and portable SatCom Satellite Tracking for Mobile and Terminal types Portable SatCom Terminals Handheld: mobile Satellite tracking Personal: portable (briefcase, depends on the terminal laptop, palmtop) antenna features (directive or omni- Vehicular: mobile (car, train, directional) ships, aircrafts etc.) Tracking functions need Beam steering Mechanical Key Design Parameters: - Compactness Electronic - Light weight - Mechanical strength - Easy installation - Radiation - Ability to track the satellite
10 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 SatCom as a complement of terrestrial systems in a multi-technology environment SatCom, FRMCS and 5G
SatCom in the FRMCS architecture SatCom is considered in FRMCS as another RAN The overall objective is that SatCom is entirely transparent to the user, who perceives an increased coverage and availability
Towards 5G SatCom currently considered as a purely non-3GPP RAN SatCom foreseen to converge as part of 5G according to 3GPP TS 22.261 QoS has to be ensured in order to achieve the expected End-to-End performances
11 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 SatCom challenges in the railway environment Technological challenges (1/3) Availability Challenges Solutions
Coverage gaps due to tunnels, mountains, etc. Gap fillers resend information from the satellite to an area without satellite Higher frequency bands (Ku, Ka) provide visibility (and vice-versa) more bandwidth but signal is degraded with weather (e.g. rain). Lower In a multi-technology environment, frequencies (L band) more robust (better gaps can also be covered by for safety applications) but have less terrestrial technologies bandwidth. Periodic signal degradations due to More robust waveforms for mobile obstruction by the railway infrastructure SatCom in challenging environments (e.g. posts, catenary, etc.)
12 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 SatCom challenges in the railway environment Technological challenges (2/3)
Latency Challenges Solutions
Railway Critical applications (e.g. ETCS and also voice-related applications) require a Eventual revision of latency requirements in relatively short delay certain areas (i.e. remote/rural for railway)
Geostationary satellites have a longer round-trip delay with respect to terrestrial systems due to their distance
Double hop (terminal 1 – sat – hub – sat – terminal 2) may be required in some configurations, adding more delay
13 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 SatCom challenges in the railway environment Technological challenges (3/3) Terminal Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) Lower frequencies Higher frequencies Challenges Solutions
Railway voice services Performance for handhelds to be imply the use of a analysed more in detail but will depend handheld terminal. That on the satellite constellation type and imposes: used frequency band stringent limitations in Handhelds, even with GEO satellites, are terms of reachable possible for low data rate services but bandwidth they are not meeting the current availability requirements constraints in the frequency band of Consider SatCom mostly for only safety operation data (e.g. ETCS) applications Consider use of a wifi terminal connected to the local train network, Note: Higher frequency bands are more suitable for which then uses the appropriate bearer. performance and business applications Outside the train, either cellular communications or wifi terminal connected to a flyaway satcom- equipped vehicle.
14 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 ERA study of SatCom Recall of ERA Study outcomes
Key messages from the ERA Study Final Report 2017 ERA “Study on feasibility of SatCom for railway communication” 11 different satcom systems analysed including different orbits, commercial and potential systems The most demanding criteria for SatCom solutions are: availability, latency and handhelds There is no SatCom solution (i.e. neither deployed nor planned) meeting all the simultaneous criteria for railway safety applications (i.e. critical) Narrow band Satcom are good candidates for satisfying the safety DATA applications (i.e. ETCS) Out of the existing/planned systems, Iris FOC is the best positioned to meet the criteria list for critical applications
15 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 ERA study of SatCom Recall of ERA Study recommendations
Recommendations Follow the same approach as in the aeronautical environment, where performance requirements depend on the airspace domain (e.g. airport vs. remote oceanic) Stringent requirements for airports with mandatory multilink; more relaxed for oceanic with only satellite Consider the possibility to use SatCom to provide only ETCS data (i.e. not considering voice services) or keep also voice but only for regional lines and/or remote areas Continue research: railway traffic estimation, analyse the Iris system (used for Air Traffic Management), etc.
16 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Current projects: Iris for Railway Communications
Main objectives The aim is to perform a feasibility assessment of the Iris SatCom solution, specifically defined for the aeronautics domain, in the railway operational scenario Identified Key Objectives 1. To assess the suitability of the Iris service provision concept for the aeronautics domain in the railway domain, highlighting differences and complementarities 2. To identify voice and data railway applications supported simultaneously by SATCOM solution according to railway safety critical applications requirements 3. To develop a railway traffic dimensioning tool to allow the estimation of communication traffic for a specific region 4. To identify the technical requirements and system architecture of a SATCOM based solution (space, ground and user segment) 5. Provide a roadmap of development and testing in line with ERA program and taking into account the necessary homologation/certification steps Start date of the Study: April 2018 End date of the Study: January 2019
17 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Iris Program: some highlights
ESA ARTES program aiming to supply a validated satellite-based communication solution for the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) System Part of a broader push to modernise air traffic management in close collaboration with the SESAR Joint Undertaking launched in 2006 by EUROCONTROL and the European Union Iris will complement existing and planned systems, supporting the growth of air traffic Deployment and certification of the Iris Initial Operation Capability in 2019 Satcom for ATM over European Continental Area Design and Development of Iris Full Operation Capability worldwide service in 2028 Iris will enable 4D trajectory management via satellite, for both continental and oceanic airspaces, as a safe, reliable and secure service Robust data links to be used by the vast majority of aircraft, complemented with conventional voice communications between pilots and controllers The space component is part of a much larger system, tuned to the needs of external partners and end- users who are not always familiar with satellite technology Inmarsat is the Iris Prime and the Iris Service provider TAS Italia is Iris Core Team member , Space Segment Prime and System Design “contributor” TAS Italia and INDRA are actively contributing to SatCom for ATM definition in EC/SESAR
18 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Main topics for Iris applicability in Railway Communications
Iris for ATM
Radio resources: dual link, multilink
Different CoS (Class of Service) and QoS (Quality of Service)
Constraints for SatCom terminal accommodation/integration with other equipment Under evaluation for applicability to Complementation of existing networks with Satcom Rail environment in Iris for Rail for improving availability and capacity Communications
Constraints on costs
Safety of Life (SoL) “certification”
Evolution towards IP protocol
Communications + Navigation integration
19 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004 Iris for Railway Communications – Main Activities and Work Logic Solution Design
Iris Design Suitability Analysis for Rail System Requirements • Architecture and Operational Scenarios Liaison with • Traffic dimensioning tool Standardisation • Satcom Criteria • Suitability Analysis of the Iris IOC and FOC Groups for Railway for the required capacity and coverage • Technical (European/World coverage) requirements Viability Analysis o SatCom in railway propagation channel, for FRMCS QoS, Handover, Multi Access Core • Suitability of Iris
Network MACN service • Gaps and issues provisioning for • Roadmap Rail • Approach for OPEX and CAPEX estimate
20 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004
Conclusions
This presentation has provided highlights on Satellite Communications main concepts SatCom as a complement of terrestrial systems in a multi-technology environment SatCom challenges in the railway environment ERA Study outcomes and recommendations Current projects: Iris for Railway Communications The Iris for Railway Communications study will provide Assessment of the required SatCom capacity for railway critical safety communications Assessment of Iris Satcom solution capacity of meeting all the simultaneous criteria for railway safety applications Possible solutions for the integration between satcom and terrestrial solutions in a Multi Access Core Network (MACN) Possible solutions for exploiting SatCom in railway environment The Iris System is candidate solution to complement existing and planned terrestrial communication system for rail Recent and ongoing studies (ERA and ESA Iris for Railway Communications) represent a significant step to this aim
21 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Ref. = 2017 Thales Alenia Space THALES ALENIA SPACE OPEN Ref. Modèle = 83230347-DOC-TAS-EN-004