CGI to develop innovative Artificial Intelligence enabled platform for the global satellite communications marketplace

 10 November 2020

CGI has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the ARTES Competitiveness and Growth programme to develop an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled platform and a series of solutions for the global satellite communications (satcom) marketplace as part of the Autonomous Satcom Solutions (AUTSS) programme.

CGI will develop an advanced satcom-focussed secure AI platform that will offer satcom organisations the ability to efficiently explore and apply proven industrialised AI enabled functionality into their Operational and Business Support Systems. In addition to the platform itself, several transformative AI-enabled satcom solutions will be developed with CGI’s industry partners. Initial solutions to be developed under the programme include:

Satcom demand prediction – which will fuse together a variety of historical communications data patterns, real-time user and operational data, and real-World ‘patterns of life’ information. CGI’s Machine Learning accelerator will leverage Deep Learning to automatically extract patterns and derive improved satcom demand prediction models.

Mission operations incident reporting – using Deep Learning anomaly detection techniques as an early warning indicator of developing issues will open up new possibilities for increased automation and reduced operator burden.

Tx/Rx chain throughput – AI solutions that seek small but radical throughput enhancements within satcom transmission and receiver chains.

Automated training systems – applying historical satcom operations manoeuvres to train ML algorithms so they can make intelligent decisions in support of enhanced training and simulation environments.

In addition to bringing leading edge technology to build these solutions, the aim is for AUTSS to offer more AI based services to increasingly diverse partners across the Space industry.

Domenico Mignolo, Head of Ground Segment Technologies and Products at ESA, said: “ESA is delighted to be supporting CGI’s AUTSS initiative into the exploitation of Artificial Intelligence within satellite communication ground segments. The AUTSS programme directly aligns with ESA’s ambition to support ESA Member State industry in bringing innovative uses of new technology into the Space industry. AI is having a transformative effect on many industries and we expect this to be a future growth area within the Space industry. We look forward to working with CGI and their industry partners as the AUTSS programme develops.”

Mike Rudd, UK Space Agency Head of Telecommunications Strategy, said: “By applying artificial intelligence to satellite communications CGI will help find solutions to real-world challenges faced by the space sector. UK Space Agency is delighted to support this initiative, which focusses on the new area of AI and Machine Learning, which have significant potential to transform the management of the increasing number and complexity of spacecraft and constellations. This contract will create a genuine step-change and demonstrates the importance of the ground segment and software in the delivery of space services, with a UK company creating critical technology that will help us manage the next generation of satellite constellations and connect more people than ever before.”

Shaun Stretton, Vice President of the Space Control and Information Solutions Sector at CGI, said: “Our vision for AUTSS builds on CGI’s understanding of the pressures and challenges faced by satcom operators and organisations formed through our long-term heritage in supporting the sector. By combining this with our expertise in AI we will deliver a platform that enables satcom providers to identify new ways to transform their business operations.”

CGI is working with Goonhilly Earth Station and Avanti Communications to deliver the AUTSS programme.