54 MBAUD SOFTWARE DEFINED DEMODULATOR ON LOW-END PROCESSOR OR GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT (ARTES AT 7B.090)

Objective: The objective of the activity is to design, develop and test a 54 Mbaud DVB-S2 and 5G NR demodulator on a low-end Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) or Central Processing Unit (CPU).Targeted Improvements: Enabling a 54 Mbaud software defined radio for low end platforms not existing today in ESA Member States.Description: Previous projects have demonstrated that carriers of equivalent bandwidth can be demodulated in software on x86 server-level CPUs. Also, by using high-performance GPUs and parallel processing, bandwidths of hundreds of MHz or even many GHz could be demodulated. To date, a low-cost GPU or CPU-based demodulation solution with typical consumer terminal performance have not been developed. Such technology would allow field-upgradable terminals that can enable the deployment of new waveforms without expensive hardware swaps in the middle of the life of the system.This activity will develop and test a software-based demodulator running in a consumer GPU as found in a games console or a PC graphics card or a low-end CPU (Intel Core i3 or equivalent), with a throughput equivalent to a TV receiver or a consumer satellite broadband terminal. Superior demodulation algorithms than those in common open-source Software Defined Radio (SDR) toolkits will be studied and further developed and implemented.The activity will be implemented in a phased approach:- Phase 1 shall implement and test a DVB-S2/S2X demodulator on one of the hardware platforms described above. The DVB-S2/X demodulator software will be tested against a hardware modulator or dedicated test equipment in the relevant environment to ensure the baud rate is met and fully compliant with as a minimum theDVB-S2 specification. Phase 1 deliverable will be a DVB-S2/S2X demodulator on a low-end CPU or GPU platform. Budget is up to 700 kEuro.- Phase 2 shall implement and test in the relevant environment 5G-NR waveform or other proprietary waveform development on the hardware platform delivered by Phase 1.Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises/Opportunities_for_SMEs/Procurement_policy_on_fair_access_for_SMEs_-_the_C1-C4_Clauses