1 

Ground Systems Technology
This topic will cover aspects related with Ground Stations, ranging from the complete system Architecture and performances to the technology of individual pieces of equipment like Feeds, Frequency Selective Surfaces, High power and Low Noise (also cryogenic) Amplifiers, Antenna Pointing and Mechanics, etc…, related either with Near Earth or Deep Space communications. 

2

On Board Systems Technology
This topic will consider the aspects related to On Board Technology ranging from the complete system Architecture and performances to the technology of individual pieces of equipment like TT&C Transponders, On board antennas, RF distribution and switching networks, Filters and Diplexers, SSPAs and TWTs, Modulators and Demodulators, etc… , related either with Near Earth or Deep Space communications.

3

Digital Signal Processing
This topic will cover aspects related with Software Radio, Intelligent and reconfigurable receivers, Algorithms for High Speed or Low SNR demodulation and decoding and any other topic related with the processing of the signal with digital technologies. 

4 

Modulation And Coding
Under this topic advanced modulation and coding schemes will be discussed. The main drivers are the bandwidth efficiency, the power efficiency and the high data rate communications as well as the regulatory issues. 

5 

Regulation and Space Link Protocols
The aspects related to regulatory bodies (CCSDS, ECSS, ETSI, …), Frequency allocations, Standardisation, as well as Space Link Protocols including Disruptive Tolerant Networks will be covered inside this topic. Other aspects like Space Internet, Proximity link protocols, … will be covered too.

6 

Spacecraft Radiometric Techniques
This topic will cover the different radiometric techniques employed by Space missions. Classic Ranging and Doppler (either by tones, spread spectrum, transparent or regenerative) together with VLBI, Delta-DOR, use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems are items to be discussed in this topic. 

7

Security and Reliability
This topic will consider the techniques and protocols for Secure communications in wide sense including Encryption and Authentication Techniques, Protection against Interference, Spread Spectrum modulation, Threats/Vulnerabilities and Reliability of the communication. 

8 

Radioscience and Propagation
Radioscience is not a TT&C function but the TT&C signal employed to communicate with the spacecraft is used many times for Radioscience experiments. Radioscience and the associated propagation issues are an important element to be considered when designing a TT&C link. This topic will cover the aspects of the propagation of the signal (in the Earth atmosphere and through the Solar System), calibration techniques to compensate the effect of the propagation disturbances and the impact of the Radioscience  experiments on the requirements and implementation of the TT&C systems. 

9 

Payload Data Telemetry
Missions with demanding data rates requirements often employs a Payload Data Telemetry sub-system separated from the TT&C sub-system. Under this topics, aspects relative to the development of innovative Payload Data Telemetry sub-systems will be covered. 

10 

Optical Space Links
Optical communications start to take form and are a candidate for future high data rate space links. Optical terminal (Ground and On Board), Propagation issues, modulation and demodulation, Trade-offs optical/RF, On-going activities and experiments, … are examples of the issues to be covered under this topic.

11 

TT&C technology and architecture for small missions
This topic will cover different aspects related to innovative TT&C architectures and technologies enabling operational (commercial or scientific) missions based on small to nanosatellite platforms, with the main focus on Cubesats, and considering point to point links as well as (small or large) constellations. Innovative communication system architecture, onboard architectures and specific technologies are possible examples.

12 

Novel Architectures
One objective of the workshop is to broadcast and discuss about innovative ideas. This topic will allocate issues related (but not limited) to novel systems like Arrays of Big aperture Antennas, Q Band Telecom Feeder Uplink, Optical Telecom Feeder Uplink, Earth Data Relay systems, Planetary Relay Systems, Delay tolerant Networks,  Very High Data Rate links, etc…