Technical Education Webinar Series

Title: Test Practices for New Space and 5G Applications

Date: August 15, 2023

Time: 8am PT / 11am ET

Sponsored by: Anritsu

Presented by: Dr. Rajan Bedi, Ceo, Spacechips

Abstract:
As launch costs continue to fall, thousands of satellites will be built over the next decade to deliver the next generation of space-based applications. NewSpace companies are planning large constellations to provide global, low-latency internet coverage, 5G comms, Earth-Observation analytics and satellite-based IoT for asset management. Manufacturers of military spacecraft are developing small satellites to deliver more affordable defence-related services, while universities and research institutes now routinely offer students the ability to design and launch CubeSats. Furthermore, developing countries are seeking low-cost access to space for national capacity building, the desire to become self-sufficient for data collection and to address local societal needs such as environmental monitoring, climate change, disaster management, deforestation, geospatial imaging to locate natural resources such as oil and gas, and understanding agriculture yields for food sustainability.

When developing satellite electronics, testing occurs throughout all stages of spacecraft development: from characterising the performance of components during the initial system architecture, to verifying the functionality of hardware demonstrators and validating proof-of-concepts at the prototyping (EM) phase. This is followed by measuring the performance of complete payload sub-systems and then entire spacecraft validation in a representative environment using thermal-vacuum chambers during the qualification (EQM) stage. Prior to lift-off, final integration checks are typically performed at the launch site and throughout operation, regular in-orbit checks of the transmission links are made to monitor and confirm quality of service (QoS). Each of these development stages present unique test and measurement challenges for satellite manufacturers.

A key challenge for NewSpace is to design, test and deliver low-cost spacecraft to meet operators' price-points, aggressive time-to-market schedules and/or the demands of investors for quick financial return. To remain competitive, OEMs are looking for an affordable test solution to confirm functionality efficiently.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Rajan Bedi is the CEO of Spacechips, a SME disrupting the global space industry with its award-winning, L to K-band, AI-enabled, ultra high-throughput, re-configurable transponders, 6 GOPS to 200 TOPS on-board processors, SDRs, Edge-based OBCs and MMUs for telecommunication, Earth-Observation, navigation, 5G, internet and M2M/IoT satellites. Spacechips won Start-Up Company of 2017, High-Reliability Product of 2016, 2017 and 2018, and in 2020, Dr. Bedi won Great British Entrepreneur of the Year! Spacechips also offers Space Electronics’ Design-Consultancy, Avionics-Testing, Technical-Marketing, Business-Intelligence and Training Services.

Rajan has designed Space Electronics for over 70 missions and is the author of the popular blog on Space Electronics, Out-of-this-World-Design, which has been read over eight million times.

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