TASK FORCE ON ADVANCED SATELLITE MOBILE SYSTEMS
(ASMS - TF)
REPORT OF STEERING PANEL DISCUSSIONS, 7 - 8 NOVEMBER 2002, ERO,
COPENHAGEN.
1. Objectives for the meeting
The key objectives for this meeting were summarised as follows by the Chairman,
Emanuele D'Andria:





Progressing the Task Force report on Standards.
Progressing the Task Force Executive Summary on System Architecture
OSMOSYS progress report (the Task Force Expression of Interest/ Integrated
Project for FP6).
Consolidating the leadership of the Task Force Working Groups.
Approval of the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and the related
answers.
The Steering Panel noted that:


The OSMOSYS drafting group had now met twice, on 9 th October and on 6th
November.
The Task Force report on System Architectures had been approved at the last
meeting in July, an Executive Summary had now been produced and
circulated, and that the Executive Summary should be approved at the next
Steering Panel meeting.
2. Review of Action Points
Report of July meeting, section 3.1: The joint SAP REG / ASMS TF letter to the
European Commission had now been signed and sent.
Report of July meeting, section 4.1:
– The full Architecture report had been finalised and circulated.
– An Executive Summary had now been produced and circulated, and should be
approved at the next Steering Panel meeting.
– A procedure for the maintenance and updating of major ASMS TF public
documents had been developed for consideration by the Steering Panel at this
meeting (see below).
– The OSMOSYS drafting group had been activated and had met twice.
Report of July meeting, section 4.3: The draft structure for WG3 input had been
circulated and would be further developed at this meeting.
Report of July meeting, section 4.4:
– The status of the ERO study, and the matter of Task Force input, would be
discussed at this meeting. Mr Adriaan Brinkerink of ERO would participate in
the discussions.
– The ESYS ad-hoc task relating to future spectrum requirements had recently
started.
– The report for presentation to PT1 via SAP REG had been dealt with.
– The contribution to WP8D had been submitted.
1
Report of July meeting, section 4.5: the first draft of the report on Standards
was now due to be approved by WG5 at this meeting.
Report of July meeting, section 4.6:
– The Commission had been contacted concerning the matters relating to the
website, and had provided a response for discussion at this meeting (see
below).
– The article for publication by the ITU had been finalised, but had then been
held back by the ITU for budget reasons. The article was now expected to
appear in the January ITU Journal.
– The latest version of the list of Frequently Asked Questions had been
submitted for approval at this meeting.
– The Action on developing plans for the ASMS Conference had not been
pursued. This would be considered by WG6 and the Steering Panel later in the
meeting.
Report of July meeting, section 5: A draft Task Force budget had been
produced, for consideration by this meeting.
Report of July meeting, section 6: The question of Working Group leadership
was due to be discussed later in this meeting.
3. Administrative issues
3.1 The Steering Panel noted that the Task Force MoU had recently been signed
by:
European Satellite Operators Association; Jozef Stefan Institute (Slovenia); Rose
Communications (Spain); Triagnosys (Germany);
The Steering Panel noted that Teledesic Spain was no longer a Signatory
4. Co-operation with the SAP REG Group
4.1 The Steering Panel noted that the letter confirming to the European
Commission that ASMS TF and SAP REG have established a co-operation
agreement had been sent jointly by the Chairmen of ASMS TF and the SAP REG
group. The Steering Panel also noted that there were currently no other
outstanding issues with regards to SAP REG.
5. Working Group Leadership
5.1 The Steering Panel noted that Christophe Nussli has resigned as Chairman of
WG2. The Steering Panel approved the appointment of Patrick Agnieray to lead
WG2 in his place.
5.2 The Steering Panel noted that Olivier Courseille has resigned as Chairman of
WG3. The Steering Panel approved the appointment of Ioannis Mertzanis to lead
WG3 in his place.
5.3 The Steering Panel noted that Jay Sengupta would be unable to lead WG6 at
this meeting The Steering Panel approved the appointment of Ray Sheriff to lead
WG6 temporarily for this meeting.
5.4 The Steering Panel agreed to discuss the overall question of Working Group
leadership later in the meeting
2
6. Reports from the Working Groups
6.1 Working Group 1 - R&D The OSMOSYS EoI had been well received. Work
is now progressing to develop the integrated project within the Drafting Group
established by the July Steering Panel meeting. The Drafting Group is identifying
the technical issues to be addressed within the project. Regarding management,
the OSMOSYS Steering Board members have been identified in Alcatel Space,
Alenia, Astrium, Hispasat, SES Global, Telespazio, University of Bologna.
Inmarsat, who could not participate to the Drafting Group meeting, has expressed
strong interest in participation. An update on progress will be given by the WG1
Leader at the next ASMS-TF meeting in January. Action 1. A procedure for letting
new partners in the proposals is being developed. A call will be issued for partners
with specific competences. The call will be in two steps: the first one reserved to
ASMS-TF members, the second open to all organizations. Action 2. The
OSMOSYS Drafting Group has also considered the possibility of associating a
Network of Excellence to the Integrated Project. Several options are being
considered. A sub-group has been formed to deal with this issue, namely the
Universities of Bradford and Surrey, together with DLR. Although the Architecture
Report has been finalised, some updates are expected for the next release of the
document. The Executive Summary has been worked on further during the
November meeting of WG1 - the deadline for further comments will be 20 th
December. Action 3. WG1 had also received a presentation from the University of
Bologna, on multimedia broadcast./multicast and the trade-offs between satellite
and terrestrial infrastructures.
6.2
Working Group 2 - Markets WG2 had spent some time discussing the
activities of the DVB group, particularly the DVB Commercial Module. WG2 had
noted that the Commercial Module includes several ad-hoc groups of interest to
the Task Force, notably DVB-UMTS, DVB M (Mobile) and DVB MHP (Multimedia
Home Platform) mobile. WG2 had agreed that a member of WG2 (Patrick
Agnieray) will be nominated to act as an interface between the Task Force and the
DVB Commercial module. Action 4. As part of this function he will input the Task
Force Vision document into the relevant commercial requirements documents of
DVB. Patrick Agnieray will also investigate possible links with the ESA SatLabs
activity. Action 5. WG2 also recommends that WG1 should establish a similar
liaison with the DVB Technical Module, (Action 6) and that all Task Force
members should check on the involvement, if any, of their organisations in the
work of DVB - the results of this would be reviewed at the next Steering Panel
meeting. Action 7.
WG2 had also agreed to undertake a review of mobile services in Bands outside
1-3GHz, e.g. Ku and Ka. To start this off, the latest draft of the Task Force
Commercial requirements document will be reviewed to produce a baseline
Executive Summary, which WG2 will then develop. Action 8. Finally WG2 had
agreed that it should keep track regularly of the positions of terrestrial operators
with regard to satellite-delivered services.
6.3 Working Group 3 - Trials WG3 continues to develop its report on relevant
trials and demonstrations. Further comments are invited on this before the end of
November. Space Engineering mentioned that additional contributions from
projects presented in the previous WG3 meetings are also expected. Action 9. A
3
first full draft of the WG3 report will be released before the next meeting of the
Steering Panel. Action 10. WG3 had received 3 presentations, on MODIS,
MOBILITY, and FUTURE.
WG3 future activity will be focused on gathering additional material regarding
existing trials, demonstrations, applications, scenarios, and methodologies. WG3
will also address new activities which should be proposed to ESA and the EC.
WG3 is also considering what demonstrations could be given as part of the
planned ASMS Conference.
The open issue for appointing WG3 vice leader was decided to be discussed at
the Steering Panel within the framework of reorganisation of the future Working
Group meetings.
6.4 Working Group 4 - Regulation WG4 had spent much of its meeting
considering the question of mobile spectrum use, and the on-going ERO study for
the UMTS Forum. WG4 had welcomed the participation of Mr Adriaan Brinkerink
of ERO, in its work. This had enabled a detailed review of the Questionnaire
which ERO is using to undertake its study, which had been very helpful. WG4 had
also discussed ways in which the work being undertaken by ESYS for the Task
Force could contribute to the ERO study. It was noted that the ERO questionnaire
will be sent to a number of satellite operators, and agreed that the Chairman of
WG4 will forward comments and suggestions on the list of satellite operators to
ERO. Action 11. WG4 also agreed that the Task Force should provide a coordinated input to ERO during December, including relevant outputs from the
ESYS study which may be available. To begin this process, WG4 agreed that
Alcatel Space will draft an initial response to the Questionnaire, and then circulate
it for comment within the Task Force. Action 12.
WG4 had noted that the results of the recent public consultation on the
2.5/2.6GHz MSS allocation had been favourable for the satellite industry, in that
consideration of any action to re-allocate to terrestrial had been deferred. WG4
had also noted that ESOA had recently written to the FCC opposing the use of
terrestrial repeaters in L Band. WG4 agreed that an electronic copy of the letter will
be circulated by the Chairman. Action 13.
6.5 Working Group 5 - Standards WG5 has started a review of the Architecture
Report produced by WG1, to check whether its outputs are properly reflected in
standards and open specifications. The WG 5 report on standards is not yet
comprehensive, but it does give good general guidance, and can be used as a
reference. A cross-checking matrix on WG 1 Architecture report and available
known standards and specifications will be produced as a further step.
WG5 has established good relations with ETSI TC SES. ETSI has some currently
active work-items which deserve technical input from the Task Force; it also has a
working group addressing Ku Band aero mobile.
WG5 has reviewed the current list of ETSI standards, specifications and technical
documents. These cover all frequency bands; the list will be distributed with the
ASMS TF meeting-report.
4
The vision of WG5 is to have a single standard for interfaces which enable satellite
systems to interconnect with other networks. In addition, further thoughts are
welcome in order to explore possibilities to converge into a single technological
concept for future ASMS systems (and therefore, compatible ASMS systems); this
would avoid the multiplication of research in many incompatible areas and would
minimize the business risks associated to niche technologies. FP6 may be a route
to develop these thinking further.
WG5 has noted the importance of co-ordination and good communication
amongst Task Force members to ensure good representation of Task Force
positions in other bodies.
6.6 Working Group 6 - Publicity At its meeting on 8th November WG6 had
considered the matter of the Task Force website, in view of the response from the
European Commission to the issues which had been raised in July. WG6
concluded that the website is a very important mechanism for the Task Force, and
that for the time being it would be sensible to retain the existing arrangement with
the European Commission. For the longer term, the Task Force might decide to
take direct control over the website, but this would have financial implications. It
was agreed that DLR will look at the possibility of obtaining an ASMS-related URL
on behalf of the Task Force, which could be used to route through to the current
Commission-hosted website. Action 14. WG6 had also considered the question
of a logo, and had concluded that it now had the enough ideas for taking this
question further - (see the report of WG6 for further details).
WG6 had made some further modifications to the Frequently Asked Questions,
and had then approved the revised list as being suitable for publication on the
Task Force website.
WG6 had reviewed the outline plans for the ASMS Conference, noting that the
dates had been provisionally set for 2-4 July 2003, at Frascati. WG6 discussed
the objectives of such a conference, and had agreed that in view of the relatively
short time left, an Organising Committee and a Technical Committee needed to be
established by the Steering Panel at this meeting. For the Steering Committee the
suggestion was to include at least the ASMS-TF chairman, the WG leaders and
the EC and ESA representatives.
WG6 also discussed the question of establishing a publicity budget for the Task
Force. It agreed that there is a need to produce brochures and other material, but
that this would have to be considered by the Steering Panel in the context of an
overall budget for the Task Force. Finally, WG6 had noted that the Task Force
presentations to the recent EMPS-2002 and IST-2002 events had been wellreceived.
6.7 Future Working Group arrangements After discussion, the Steering Panel
agreed new arrangements for meetings of the Working Groups, detailed at Annex
1. These are intended to enable all Task Force members to follow all discussions.
The intention is also to ensure leadership of each of the Working Groups. It was
noted that 2 meeting rooms will still be made available, to facilitate break-out
meetings.
5
7. OSMOSYS
The Steering Panel noted the information contained in the report of WG1 - see 6.1
above. The Steering Panel also noted that there would be a meeting in
December/January to deal with OSMOSYS legal and organisational issues,
including the question of representation on the OSMOSYS Steering Board. The
total number of partners on the Steering Board is expected to be less than 10. The
OSMOSYS drafting group is establishing procedures for the admission of new
partners - these will be reported to the next Steering Panel meeting. Action 15.
The Commission and ESA will be invited to participate as OSMOSYS advisors. It
was noted that there will be a further meeting of the drafting group on 28 th January
2003.
8. ERO and Task Force spectrum studies
The Steering Panel endorsed the report of WG4 on spectrum issues. It also
considered a presentation from ESYS concerning its work on the recently-started
ad-hoc task for the Task Force. The presentation covered methodology, issues,
proposed approach, and inputs required from Task Force members. The
presentation led to discussion of the methodology proposed, and possible
enhancements. It was noted that the timescale for completion of the ESYS work is
very tight, particularly in view of the schedule for the ERO study. It was agreed
that the forecasting of broadcast and multicast services was a particularly difficult
issue, and that further contributions on this from Task Force members would be
welcome. It was further noted that the ESYS presentation will be sent to the
reflector following the meeting, together with a summary of inputs needed from
Task Force members. Action 16. The importance of good representation of the
Task Force at the January 2003 meeting of PT1 was stressed.
9. ASMS Conference
It was noted that this conference would take place 2-4 July 2003 at Frascati, or
possibly 9-11 July - final dates will be confirmed by the Chairman after consultation
with ESA. The Chairman will also consult with ESA as to their involvement in the
practical arrangements for the Conference. Action 17. It was agreed that the
following would be members of the Organising Committee: E D'Andria, I Mertzanis,
G E Corazza, P Agnieray, J Sesena, P Lo Galbo and a representative to be
designated by the EC. The Organising Committee will work by correspondence
and will start by producing a call for papers, plus a list of invited papers and
delegates, before the end of 2002. Action 18.
It was agreed that the following will be members of the Technical Committee, that
will drive the selection procedures: J Seseña, B Arbesser-Rastburg, A Vanelli-Coralli,
M Luglio, R Sheriff, J Guerra, H Ernst, M Annoni.
10. Draft Task Force Budget
The Steering Panel noted a contribution from ESYS, developed in line with the
Action agreed at the last meeting. The contribution outlined a possible future
budget for the Task Force, assuming that the Task Force decided to establish
itself as an independent legal entity. The Steering Panel decided to give this
substantive consideration at a future meeting.
11. Task Force Website
6
The Steering Panel endorsed the conclusions of WG6 on this issue, and agreed
that DLR should investigate the obtaining of a suitable URL. Action 19. The Panel
also gave approval to the list of Frequently Asked Questions, and agreed that the
final version should be published on the Task Force website. Action 20.
The Steering Panel endorsed the proposals made by ESYS in a document
concerning the maintenance of Major Task Force documents.
12. Future meetings
12.1 The Steering Panel decided that its next meeting will take place on 29 & 30
January 2003. This meeting is due to be held in Spain, at the invitation of
Hispasat. The meeting will be preceded by a closed-doors meeting of the
OSMOSYS drafting group, on 28 January, at the same venue.
12.2 It was agreed that a further meeting of the Steering Panel will be held in April
2003 - date and location to be decided.
12.3 It was noted that a further Steering Panel meeting will be held immediately
before the ASMS Conference, at the same location as the Conference. This
meeting will thus take place either on 30 June & 1 July, or on 7 & 8 July 2003
In closing the meeting, the Chairman warmly thanked the ERO for hosting the
meeting, for the efficient, high-quality arrangements, and for their kind hospitality.
End
gjk/ESYS 17/11/02
7
ANNEX 1
TASK FORCE ON ADVANCED SATELLITE MOBILE SYSTEMS (ASMS TF)
MEETINGS OF WORKING GROUPS - FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
DAY 1 11.00 - 15.00*
WG2 Markets together with WG6 Publicity
*including 1 hour for lunch
DAY 1 15.00 – 18.00
WG1 R&D together with WG3 Trials
DAY 2 09.00 – 11.00
WG1 R&D together with WG3 Trials
DAY 2 11.00 – 13.00
WG4 Regulation together with WG5 Standards
Note 1: No parallel meetings
Note 2: The first slot on day 1 (3 hours) can be interchanged with the final
slot on Day 2 (2hours) depending on respective agendas
Note 3: Each of the 6 Working Groups will retain a designated leader. The
designated leader will chair the part of the meeting which relates to
their Working Group, and will also act as deputy for the other part
of the meeting.
Note 3:The leaders of the Working Groups will be confirmed at the next
Steering Panel meeting in January 2003
8
ASMS TF MEETING, COPENHAGEN 7/8 NOVEMBER 2002
LIST OF ATTENDEES
NAME
ORGANISATION
Patrick AGNIERAY
Alcatel Space
Karl-Michael ALDINGER
DaimlerChrysler
Marco ANNONI
Telecom Italia
Bertram ARBESSER-RASTBURG
ESA/ESTEC
Stephane BOICHON
Astrium SAS
Paul BRITTEN
ESYS
Joan Manuel CEBRIÁN
Indra Espacio
Stefano CHINI
Telespazio/ University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Nicolas CHUBERRE
Alcatel Space
Laurent COMBELLES
Alcatel Space
Giovanni CORAZZA
University of Bologna
Emanuele D’ANDRIA
Telespazio
Filomena DEL SORBO
Telespazio/ University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Tiziana D'IGNAZIO
Alenia Spazio
Cesare DIONISIO
European Commission
William DUNNE
UK Radiocommunications Agency
Harald ERNST
DLR
José Antonio GUERRA
Hispasat
Andreas JAROSCH
Ascom Systec
Merkouris KARALIOPOULOS
University of Surrey
Geoff KING
ESYS
Christophe LOEILLET
SES Global
Giorgio LO VERDE
Telespazio
Michele LUGLIO
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
Ioannis MERTZANIS
Space Hellas
Mihael MOHORCIC
Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
Andrea Julia PEREZ-CARRO RIOS
European Space Agency
Antonio PIETRABISSA
University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Madhavendra RICHHARIA
Inmarsat
Juan RIVERA CASTRO
ESA
Jose Manuel SANCHEZ
Integrasys
Fulvio SANSONE
European Satellite Operators Association
Julián SESEÑA
Rose Communications
Ray SHERIFF
University of Bradford
Eyal TRACHTMAN
Inmarsat
Alessandro VANELLI-CORALLI
University of Bologna
Antonio VERNUCCI
Space Engineering
9