BATS

The research project BATS (Broadband Access via integrated Terrestrial & Satellite systems), funded under the European Union 7th Framework Programme, addresses the delivery of BroadBand (BB) future services in Europe according to the EC Digital Agenda objective to reliable deliver >30Mbps to 100% of European households by 2020.

In order to accommodate the areas of Europe which are 'unserved' and 'underserved' in terms of BB availability, an Ultra High Throughput Satellite System is researched that provides order of magnitude cost/bit reductions and solutions to existing market barriers of bandwidth and latency limitations. BATS proposes a novel  architecture which combines satellite and terrestrial service delivery via an Intelligent User Gateway (IUG), dynamically routing each traffic flow according to its service needs through the most appropriate delivery mechanism to optimise the Quality of Experience (QoE). The integration complies with emerging home network environment standards and provides resilience and reliability of service provision to the users by bonding diverse access networks. To cope with such integrated scenario, BATS will provide a unified network management framework.

The evaluation of concepts takes place via laboratory emulation with controlled objective and subjective testing and via field trials using prototype IUGs and capacity on in-orbit satellites to assess real user experiences.

BATS provides a unique opportunity for the European ICT and Satellite industries to take a lead in this novel integrated system which will have a worldwide market. Contributions to standardisation groups will foster adoption of the concept and assist supporting the European Mandate 496: 'To Develop Standardisation Regarding the Space Industry'.