The 4SSTB project: R&D simulation tool for developing an independent European satellite connectivity system
September 18, 2023
The 4SSTB project aimed to design a set of R&D tools for European satellite constellation research. During this project, we developed an NRT simulator for LEO satellite systems together with VTT.
The European economy is increasingly dependent on secure and resilient connectivity. Due to this, the European Commission embarked on an initiative to set up a fully European satellite constellation, IRIS². The constellation will reduce the industry’s dependence on outside satellite networks. It will also meet the ever-increasing demand for SatCom services.
IRIS² is an initiative for improving satellite communication through a hybrid high-speed internet broadband that copes better with connectivity dead zones. End users, the industry, and public and governmental bodies will be able to utilize the constellation thanks to its high level of security.
The European Space Agency also reacted by creating a Strategic Programme Line called “Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S)” under the ESA Telecommunication Programme.
4SSTB stands for “Space Systems for Safety and Security System Services Test Bed”. The goal of the project was to design a set of R&D tools specifically for European satellite constellation research, such as for IRIS².
Magister participated in the 4SSTB project as a subcontractor. Together with VTT, we designed and developed a non-real-time (NRT) simulator for LEO satellite systems.
The project was kicked off in November 2022, with its final review taking place in August 2024. The project was presented during the ARTES Final Presentation Days, on October 1-3, 2024.
Magister developed an NRT simulator for LEO satellite systems
The prime contractor in the 4SSTB consortium was GMV in Germany. The sub-contractors included Magister Solutions (Finland), VTT (Finland), Telespazio (Belgium), and the National Technical University of Athens (Greece).
Jani Puttonen, the former CEO of Magister Solutions, explained the division of labor in this project.
“GMV, NTUA, and Telespazio are building the real-time hardware test bed solution. VTT and Magister are jointly responsible for designing and developing an NRT simulator for LEO satellite systems. It means that we’re implementing a model of the whole satellite constellation in software. It can be configured in terms of how many satellites, how many terminals, and the kind of traffic it contains.”
This NRT simulator predicted what would hypothetically happen. In addition, the Magister SimLab Visualization Player was used as a demonstration and verification tool in the project. Its purpose was to show the NRT simulation operation and demonstrate the expected performance.
Developing standardizations for use across the constellation
The simulation results are useful for many purposes. They are beneficial for the satellite constellations themselves, measuring the expected performance, as well as for developing standardizations for use across the constellation (such as 5G).
“When they talk about satellite constellations”, remarked Puttonen, “they usually mean Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. For full global coverage, you need a lot of satellites – it might be thousands.”
There are understandably many players involved in producing these satellites, and they all need R&D tools. This is where 4SSTB comes in.
» Read GMV’s article of this project
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