The ambition of the High thRoughput Optical Network (HydRON) project of European Space Agency (ESA) is to seamlessly extend terrestrial high-capacity networks into space. The concept aims to empower satellite networks by developing terrestrial networking capabilities and features, in order to interconnect all types of space assets by an “Internet backbone beyond the cloud(s)”. Concretely, HydRON will take advantage of space assets to complement terrestrial high-capacity networks, ultimately enabling the configuration of a worldwide and world-first 3-dimensional optical network interconnecting terrestrial networks with different (orbital) layers in GEO, MEO, LEO, and HAPS. The 3-dimensional optical network capabilities will revolutionize the SatCom sector and its related commercial business. The HydRON project proposal and initial funding were approved at the occasion of the ESA Ministerial Council in November 2019. To prove crucial aspects of HydRON, a subset of key elements of the overall HydRON System (HydRON-S, encompassing the full width of the future implementation) were selected for implementation in the frame of a demonstration system (HydRON-DS), capable to validate all HydRON aspects end-to-end. HydRON-DS represents the initial stage serving the purpose to gradually demonstrate key technologies required to deploy a first (all) optical transport network at terabit-per-second capacity in space and the seamless extension of terrestrial fibre-based networks into space. The HydRON overall architecture is meant to evolve and enable both architecture upscaling and service expansion.
HydRON ambition is to seamlessly integrate the space optical transport network into the terrestrial high capacity network infrastructure: the “Fibre in the Sky”. In HydRON, it is envisaged “All-Optical payloads” being interconnected by means of optical inter-satellite links in the Tbps regime (Terabit per second) furnishing the “bridges” for a truly “Fibre in the Sky” network. Technically speaking HydRON aims at Tbps “All-Optical Network” solutions, dividing the satellite payload into (i) a network part and (ii) an application / service part, equivalent to the backbone part and the access part of optical fibre networks on ground. The application / service part (i.e., the Customer’s payload) has access to the network part (i.e., the HydRON elements), in a similar way as computers are plugged into the terrestrial network.
HydRON encompasses optical feeder links connecting to a space network of in-orbit technology demonstrator payloads, which are interconnected by means of Tbps laser inter-satellite links. WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) laser communication terminals (on ground and in space), optical switching / routing capabilities and high-speed interface electronics will be implemented on-board the network nodes in space to enable a high throughput network connection to the application / service part (i.e., the Customer’s payload). The space network concept will reduce the dependency on atmospheric conditions of single ground stations as all HydRON nodes can get their particular data via the network they are interfacing with. A combination of new optical technologies, novel photonics equipment and efficient network concepts will be proven in orbit. The system architecture must be adaptable to the changing network conditions.
The current status of the above mentioned investigations will be summarised in the present paper.
We present a mission proposal to provide a space based quantum key distribution service. Using entangled photon pairs distributed to two ground stations with a simultaneous double downlink establishes a secret key directly at the user locations. The satellite and the payload do not generate or process any secret key information and the security design, certification and operation of the key management can be restricted to the user locations on ground. Positioning the satellite in GEO enables covering Europe and intercontinental connections, allows flexible service planning to cope with weather constraints and removes the need for coarse tracking telescopes in space and on ground while allowing long integration times. The large link distance and the combined losses of two down links require large optical terminals in space and on ground to obtain a usable secure key generation rate. We will present results from an ESA internal Phase 0 study concentrating on the payload design and performance.
ESA's Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Directorate (TIA) runs a dedicated programmatic framework to Optical Communication Technologies, called ARTES ScyLight (SeCure and Laser communication Technology, pronounced "skylight").
ScyLight supports the development and deployment of innovative optical technologies for satellite communication as well as assisting industry to develop new market opportunities for optical communication technologies.
The ScyLight programme focuses the efforts of European and Canadian industry on optical communication technologies in the following areas:
•Optical Communication Technology at System Level
•Optical Communication Terminal Technology
•Intra-Satellite Photonics/Optical Payloads
•Quantum Cryptography Technologies in Space and initial services demonstration
The paper will give an overview of the programme status and an outlook on its evolution.
The paper will inform about the status of a new proposed ESA project on optical communications called “High thRoughput Optical Network” (HydRON), which aims to demonstrate European and Canadian capabilities in all fields of optical communications and with the seamless integration into terrestrial network structures, via a dedicated mission.
Optical communication Technologies are considered to be one of the next major revolutions in satellite communication, bringing unprecedentedly high levels of transmission rates, data security and resilience. However technical developments and early implementations cannot demonstrate its full capabilities, as the optical solution is mainly used in nonoptimized (SatCom) systems. To address the system level aspects ESA and its member states have implemented the operational European Data Relay System (EDRS) providing routine Quasi-Real-Time-Data Services to the European Commission Copernicus satellite fleet. Furthermore, a dedicated programme for Optical Communication was created called "ScyLight" which stands for a "SeCure and Laser communication Technology" Framework Programme. To integrate satellite and terrestrial networks ESA is now preparing its next logical step in optical communication systems by creating the elements for a High Throughput Opticial Network called HydRON. In HydRON optical interconnections in the Tbps (Terabit per second) region will be established including "All-Optical payloads” providing the means for a truly "Fibre in Space" network. Technically speaking HydRon is aiming for Tbps "All-Optical Network” solutions, dividing the satellite payload into a network part and an application part - similar to optical fiber networks on ground. The application is hooked to the network. HydRON will prepare Optical Feeder uplinks into a network of in orbit Technology Demonstrators (called HydRON#1, #2, etc.), which will be interconnected by means of Tbps laser intersatellite links. WDM Laser terminals (ground/space) and optical routing capabilities on-board the network nodes in space will be implemented together with optical payloads to enable a high throughput network connection to the applications. The space network concept will reduce the dependency on single ground stations as all HydRON nodes will get their particular data via the network they are interfacing with. A combination of new optical technologies, novel photonics equipment and efficient network concepts will be proven in orbit. HydRON shall not be seen as THE solution for all, but shall give a platform to demonstrate the capabilities of multiple industry players and to prepare for the future: a European/Canadian SHOW CASE on Optical Communications!
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