# GB-Newcastle Upon Tyne: T21/0010 Onboard Data Buffer and Processor

> Contract award record from UK public-sector procurement sources.

## Key facts

- Public buyer: [Northumbria University](/buyers/northumbria-university/contract-awards)
- Contract winner: e2E Services Limited
- Award value: £200,000
- Tender value: £200,000
- Award date: 15 November 2021
- Published: 19 November 2021
- Contract start: 22 November 2021
- Contract end: 30 April 2022
- Stage: awarded
- Procurement category: goods
- Notice ID: 7b20b25e-bb0f-4f9c-a347-18efd2e8ce71-487177
- OCID: ocds-b5fd17-27be6267-d9c4-4349-bc56-13be27957aa3

## Description

Currently, the highest heritage ka-band radio frequency \(RF\) technology in small sats \(herein we refer to them as CubeSats\) can achieve 10-100 kbps with an onboard data storage capacity of ~8 GBytes \(similar to SD cards in mobile phones\)\. The aim of this experimental research project is to replace the existing low-speed RF and high-power transceiver in CubeSats with the high-speed, light weight and lower power free-space optical \(FSO\) wireless technology\. The proposed intensity-modulation/direct-detection \(IM/DD\) FSO system will use an infrared laser source prototyped by Durham and Northumbria Universities in collaboration with UK-based industry partner SMS Electronics Limited\. The high-speed electronics \(encoding, modulation, etc\.\), the drive circuit and the optical head as well as the optical receiver together with all the supporting data, control, and optics modules will now be optimized and fabricated, increasing to TRL-7\. We are seeking a sub-contractor who will help us to design and develop \(to PCB layout and bring-up testing\) a full working prototype of the electronics boards for handling high speed \(1 Gbps\) data transmission using our FSO system design, incorporating radiation hardened components, flight-ready controller, and buffering to interface with the satellite bus\.

## Related contract awards

- [T25/0037 - Apple Equipment and Associated Services](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-328b0717-4432-4c55-9204-77cc45d9ef4d): Northumbria University
- [GB-Newcastle upon Tyne: T25/0030 Library Tower Refurbishment - Lead Designer/Design Team](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-e5ee0ae7-7948-427e-93af-37a810b749a5): Northumbria University
- [GB-Newcastle upon Tyne: Cost Manager and Contract Administrator](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-3bcfdb6f-a00f-48a4-a2bc-99df88321361): Northumbria University

## Source

[View the original notice on Contracts Finder](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7b20b25e-bb0f-4f9c-a347-18efd2e8ce71-487177)