RFSAT L td is a research-performing SME organization with offices in Dublin (Ireland) and Athens (Greece). Its activities focus on applied research and technological development through national and international research funding, industrial consultancy and commercial exploitation of research results in the telecommunications industry. Main focus areas include networked audio-visual media processing and communication for e.g. unmanned and autonomous (aerial) surveillance, cyber resilience including intrusion detection and prevention, 3D modelling for large areas and objects (including Cultural Heritage), Mixed-Reality systems for serious gaming applications, ultra-low-power wireless embedded sensing and control, immersive user interfaces, integrated Information Management Systems (IMS), hybrid indoor/outdoor (A/D GNSS and Galileo, wireless, cellular, inertial and mobile) positioning and localization, GIS and Location Based Services (LBS), Smart Energy/Grid and critical infrastructure protection and other related technological areas. RFSAT is an expert in telecommunications technologies from high-level algorithmic design to efficient low-level hardware and implementation and VLSI fabrication on silicon, and cyber security.
Role in the project: RFSAT has the technical and innovation coordination of AgriBIT (leading WP3), providing contribution in formal technical validation of GNSS sub-system through architecture, baseline prototype and applied R&D.
Its primary contribution of RFSAT to the project will be the provision of tools related to autonomous aerial-based sensing and monitoring including multi-spectral, specialized micro-sensing and 3D area scanning, as well as its GNSS expertise and experience with respect to Galileo and EGNOS technologies with focus on the integration of a general-purpose multi-constellation Galileo-supporting receiver adapted to Precision Agriculture purposes. RFSAT will contribute with the following demonstrable technologies:
- Remote Sensing and Monitoring: based on multi-spectral and environmental sensing technologies of RFSAT, will aim at a provision of large-area monitoring capabilities of the crops and fields using drones with multi-spectral and dedicated sensors for localization of problems. Integrated with large area surveillance from EO Copernicus data, it will allow launching UAVs equipped with a range of sensors would be launched automatically to enable quickly establishing the reason and extent of the problem (both for the whole field and locally at specific locations), before response actions can be taken. Data from fixed and aerial sensors combined together will provide continuous and precise overview of the situation.
- Galileo/EGNOS capable GNSS receiver: RFSAT will offer its multi-constellation concept receiver for project use cases. Its weak-signal detection capabilities, ultra-low-power consumption taking advantage of the proprietary CULP processor architecture, with integrated atomic clocks for improved performance and reliability in any environment, compatible with Galileo, will allow development of reliable services for Precision Agriculture applications. RFSAT will also provide a reference architecture to serve as a platform for continuous integration and field testing of GNSS receiver developments, from COTS solution in the first year of the project to ENGOS capabilities by midterm to full Galileo capabilities by end of the 2nd year.