Topics

1. Ground Systems Technology - This topic will cover aspects related with Ground Stations, ranging from the complete system Architecture and performances to the technology of individual pieces of equipment like Feeds, Frequency Selective Surfaces, High power and Low Noise (also cryogenic) Amplifiers, Antenna Pointing and Mechanics, etc., related either with Near Earth or Deep Space communications.

2. On Board Systems Technology - Under this topic, will be covered the aspects related to On Board Technology, ranging from the complete system Architecture and performances to the technology of individual pieces of equipment like TT&C Transponders, On board antennas, RF distribution and switching networks, Filters and Diplexers, SSPAs and TWTAs, Modulators and Demodulators, etc., related either with Near Earth or Deep Space communications.

3. High Rate Telemetry - Missions with demanding data rates requirements often employ separate links for Payload (high rate) TM and Housekeeping TTC, implementing a High Rate Payload Data Telemetry subsystem in parallel with the TT&C sub-system. Under this topic, aspects relative to the development of High Rate Payload Data Telemetry sub-systems with the inclusion of the latest advances of VCM and ACM will be covered.

4. Microsatellites and Cubesats - This topic will cover different aspects related to innovative TT&C architectures and technologies enabling operational (commercial or scientific) missions based on small to nanosatellite platforms, with the main focus on Cubesats, and considering point to point links as well as (small or large) constellations. Innovative communication system architectures, on-board architectures and specific technologies are possible examples.

5. Optical Space Links - Optical communications are becoming a reality and are a candidate for future high data rate space links. Optical terminals (Ground and On Board), Propagation issues, modulation and demodulation, optical ranging, Trade-offs optical/RF, On-going activities and experiments, … are examples of the issues to be covered under this topic.

6. Spacecraft Radiometric Techniques - This topic will cover the different radiometric techniques employed by Space missions. Classic Ranging and Doppler (either by tones, PN, TM-RG, spread spectrum, transparent or regenerative) together with VLBI, D-DOR or use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems are items to be discussed in this topic.

7. Modulation, Coding and DSP - Advanced modulation and coding schemes will be discussed under this topic. The main drivers are the bandwidth efficiency, the power efficiency and the high data rate communications as well as the regulatory issues. Also advanced digital signal processing techniques related with Software Radio, Intelligent and reconfigurable receivers, Algorithms for High Speed or Low SNR demodulation and decoding among others will be covered.

8. Radioscience and Propagation - Radioscience is not a TT&C function but the TT&C signal employed to communicate with the spacecraft is often used for Radioscience experiments. Radioscience and the associated propagation issues are an important element to be considered when designing a TT&C link. This topic will cover the aspects of the propagation of the signal (in the Earth atmosphere and through the Solar System), calibration techniques to compensate the effect of the propagation disturbances and the impact of the Radioscience experiments on the requirements and implementation of the TT&C systems.

9. Novel Architectures - One objective of the workshop is to broadcast and discuss about innovative ideas. This topic will allocate issues related (but not limited) to novel systems and technologies like Arraying, Superior conjunctions, EDL, Variable rates, Q/V Band Feeder Uplink, Earth Data Relay systems, Planetary Relay Systems, Delay tolerant Networks, Very High Data Rate links, etc.