Low-Cost Resilient Software Defined Radio Platform for Satellite Applications Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Netherlands

Summary : Low-Cost Resilient Software Defined Radio Platform for Satellite Applications

Deadline : 02 Apr 2024

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 97308280

Document Ref. No. : 1-11976

Competition : ICB

Financier : Other Funding Agencies

Purchaser Ownership : Public

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : EUROPEAN SPACE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
Noordwijk, Tel: +31-715656565
Netherlands

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Low-Cost Resilient Software Defined Radio Platform for Satellite Applications.

Price Range: 200-500 KEURO

Open Date: 19/02/2024 16:40 CET

Closing Date: 02/04/2024 13:00 CET

The evolution of SDR platforms is enabling the use of general-purpose hardware for various application, allowing hardware reuse and cost reduction, and enabling "niche" applications at rather low cost. The SDRs rapidly moved from research applications to widespread applications, including space missions. However, SDRs do not yet address well cybersecurity.The proposed concept aims at enhancing cybersecurity of SDR platforms with the components and the barriers required, enabling their use in applications where the device can be subject to tampering. The proposed technology shall extend to cybersecurity the concept of SDR itself, where the user does not need to design hardware but just software, allowing the user to access secure platform without need for designing it. The integration of a secure element (e.g. crypto-processor or SIM card) will protect the cryptographic material from tampering and leakage. This will remove the need for expensive security modules for applications relying on symmetric key cryptography, and protect the stored public key certificates from tampering. Moreover, easing the access to validated crypto functions implemented in hardware will also reduce the risk of cyberattacks exploiting faulty implementations of cryptographic functions.Beside the secure processors, the whole platform integrating the SDR shall be designed to prevent cyberattacks. This includes, but is not limited to, secure attestation of the components, sensors and controlled latency in the communication buses inside the platform. Specific care shall also be devoted to the secure software update, in order to prevent unintended manipulation of the software from third party, increasing flexibility by SDR functions, performance upgrade.Additionally, high quality RF frontend, for instance with low phase noise, may enable security-oriented signal processing techniques, such as RF fingerprinting. Such capabilities could reduce time-to-market and significantly ease adoption of those satellite specific features by a wider user community enhancing the cybersecurity. Beforehand, it needs to reach a TRL high enough prior to its adoption by the industry, therefore, the activity will aim the development of a breadboard and then demonstrate its capabilities for several use cases to be consolidated in the frame of the activity (e.g. Satcom, GNSS, etc.). The design shall also be future-proof, covering VHF to C-band, which encompass most of the satellite bands associated to handheld or mobile devices.The following tasks are foreseen in this activity: Consolidation of use cases and derivation of the requirements and candidate architectures. Development and integration of the hardware. Development of the software features enabling the different selected use cases (software drivers and applications). Validation process with field trials

Documents

 Tender Notice