CNES contracts with ST for satellite broadband chipset

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
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CNES and STMicroelectronics sign ASTRAGAN chipset development contract

15 September, CNES signed a contract with STMicroelectronics to develop the ASTRAGAN(1) chipset, which aims to bring satellite fast broadband to users everywhere, including in areas outside those covered by terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband networks. The services supported by this chipset will be equivalent to those offered by fibre-optic, ADSL and 4G networks.

This contract is part of the THD-SAT(2) project to deploy fast broadband Internet services, funded from the French government’s PIA future investment programme.

Developed in partnership with STMicroelectronics and Thales Alenia Space, the ASTRAGAN chipset is the key technology building block needed to produce low-cost, very-high-performance satellite terminals.

The chipset will perform reception, transmission and video processing and Internet access functions for satellite terminals. Satellite data download will rely on the highly effective new-generation DVB-S2x standard compatible with fast broadband carrier frequencies and able to support data rates of up to 500 Mbauds. Data upload will use the new DVB-RCS2 standard and incorporate all advanced functions for adapting to network traffic, interference and signal propagation. Video processing and Internet access functions will be implemented by a latest-generation processor.

Satellite terminals using the ASTRAGAN chipset will integrate seamlessly with users’ home network environment, giving them access to all TV and Internet services on their television sets, smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Fully compatible with all frequencies in the Ku and Ka bands allocated to satellite broadcasting and telecommunications systems, the chipset will offer users Internet and HD/UHD TV download rates of up to 200 Mbit/s and upload rates up to 10 Mbit/s.

1. Set of integrated circuits that together perform complex digital and analogue functions.
2. Managed by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), France’s principal public financial institution