Wideband baseband receiver with beam squint compensation for next-gen satellite connectivity

RINA and DWave are collaborating for ESA to unlock seamless, high-quality data transmission, even in challenging environments, by harnessing innovative beam squint compensation. 

Our wideband baseband receiver with compensated beam squinting is designed to deliver superior connectivity and performance for next-generation satellite communications. 

Challenge 

This initiative aims to design and validate a baseband receiver capable of mitigating beam squint effects through advanced equalisation methodologies. The principal technical objectives are to: 

• Investigate and implement equalisation algorithms to compensate beam squint distortions. 
• Validate the compensation methodology in a representative testbed. 

This study will focus on both 5G New Radio (5G NR) and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards.  

The project is specifically dedicated to Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), the core of innovation and development within the current satellite communications landscape. 

Applied expertise 

RINA coordinates the project as both technical coordinator and engineering manager, overseeing all phases from concept to validation. Our key contributions include: 

• Defining the system scenario and conducting system-level modelling 
• Ensuring compliance with the technical requirements. 
• Preparing the validation plan. 
• Supporting the test results analysis and assessment of compliance with the technical specification 
• Technology assessment and development plan 

Our partner Dwave focuses on: 

• the design of the system 
• the testbed implementation 
• the test execution 

Together, RINA and Dwave combine engineering, coordination, and development expertise to deliver innovative solutions that drive the successful realisation and validation of cutting-edge technologies applied to satellite communication. 

Impact 

The proposed solution combines beamforming and digital signal processing to overcome one of the main limitations of wideband satellite user terminals, introducing several key benefits for user terminals operating in the Ka band: 

• Enhanced signal quality and reliability: by actively compensating for beam squinting effects through advanced equalisation techniques, the solution ensures more consistent signal processing and improves link reliability even at wide bandwidths and large scanning angles. 
• The receiver design is based on phase-only beamforming, a technology compatible for consumer terminals. 
• Robustness to channel impairments: the system is engineered to address typical satellite-to-ground link challenges, offering improved performance across satellite scenarios.