Interoperability tests with ST Engineering’s patented MCM7500 broadband multicarrier modulator iDirect and EASii IC’s Oxford-2 satellite modem ASIC will be showcased during the upcoming Electronica 2022 event in Munich from November 15-18.

The demonstration will be conducted as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Free Hopper project, which aims to validate the technical maturity of advanced DVB-S2X beam-hopping using the DVB-S2X standard. Beam-hopping is a patented technique that allows highly flexible assignment of satellite capacity to areas that need it most.

ESA, within the Artes 4.0 Telecom programme, has involved Airbus France, Honeywell UK, ST Engineering iDirect and EASii-IC France to participate in the HTS Free Hopper programme. The two-year project is currently in its initial phase, where the interoperability of equipment is tested and ensured before proceeding with full testing of beam-hopping scenarios.

The demonstration at Electronicsa, the leading trade show for the electronics industry, exhibits high symbol rate carrier using the new 6 DVB-S2X Super-Frame format in very low continuous VLSNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) mode. VLSNR is a form of modulation that allows satellite links to be maintained under very demanding link conditions where the useful signal power level is well below the noise power level.

Further features can be demonstrated live on booth C2.148 upon request.

With a culture of innovation and a long history of pushing technological boundaries, both ST Engineering iDirect and EASii-IC have been instrumental in creating the DVB-S2X standard. MCM7500 and Oxford-2 implement the latest DVB-S2X standard EN302307-part 2, first adopted in 2021.

More information about the HTS Free Hopper program can be found at: https://artes.esa.int/projects/hts-free-hopper

More information about ST Engineering iDirect and its products can be found at: https://www.idirect.net/

More information about EASii IC can be found at:
https://easii-ic.com/en/