EO MAKERSPACE:
An ESA Makerspace for AI on Edge applied to EO smart sensors
Founded by:
And implemented by:
ABOUT
The space sector is currently undergoing a technological disruption featured by onboard intelligence. By processing the information captured by satellite sensors onboard that directly exploit AI techniques, onboard intelligence has the potential to support more efficient, agile, autonomous, and reconfigurable Earth Observation (EO) systems. Under these objectives, ESA is developing the EO MAKERSPACE project: the InCubed program of ESA Φ-lab is partnering up with IngeniArs for the prototyping of core elements of smart EO payloads. Further information isavailable here: https://incubed.esa.int/eo-makerspace-crafting-the-future-of-smarter-earth-observation-systems/
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
EO MAKERSPACE: AI on Edge applied to EO smart sensors aims to establish a smart, agile development of hardware/software co-designs in order to enable and simplify the use of AI applications, High-Performance Computing and sensors integration directly onboard of EO satellites.
The development will be focused on improving EO payloads through a series of sub-activities based on AI-applications for space. The sub-activities are to be selected and executed through competitive open calls, involving implementers, experts and stakeholders beyond ESA’s usual range.
EO-MAKERSPACE: call for implementation
IngeniArs will host and manage for a period of 12 months a number of sub-activities to investigate specific technical challenges defined in their dedicated sub-activity webpages.
The potential implementer can respond to the proposed sub-activities by submitting their proposals, which will be evaluated and selected by IngeniArs who has a long experience in space-FPGA designs and AI algorithms on-board support.
GPU@SAT
GPU@SAT is a hardware/software codesign developed by IngeniArs to enable the use of AI algorithms in high-reliable missions. It is composed of a hardware IP-Core for FPGA that is completely independent of the target technology, and a software framework that allows to program and configure the device.
In the EO MAKERSPACE framework, IngeniArs will provide the GPU@SAT devkit to the implementers, which simplifies the interaction with the IP-Core, allowing the implementers to develop their own applications. Therefore, the implementer will work with OpenCL or high-level scripting languages, developing an application that will be executed on a hardware dedicated to the space sector.
Here is additional information on GPU@SAT.
HOW TO APPLY
The EO-MAKERSPACE call is open to the list of sub-activities listed in SUB-ACTIVITY LIST (bottom of the page).
To apply send your proposal via email to request@ingeniars.com with gianluca.giuffrida@ingeniars.com in CC following the instruction described in the following.
The sub-activities will be 100% funded and their typical values varies between 5.000€ and 60.000€ per activity. Each proposal will be revised by the IngeniArs technical team in maximum two (2) weeks from the submission day.
The selected sub-activities will be part of a long-term vision that ensures the continuity and the exploitation of the results also after the end of this project.
To incentivate implementers submissions, the body of the proposal is mantained as short as possible. IngeniArs could ask a further online meeting to clarifies some aspect of the work. The leght of proposal direclty depends on the sub-activity budget:
| # of pages | Sub-activity budget |
| Max 2 pages | From 3K to 15K |
| Max 4 pages | From 15K to 30K |
| From 4 to 10 pages | From 30K to 60K |
The proposal shall contain:
- Summary of the idea [max 100 words]
- Technical part
- Description of the idea and potential technical implementation approach [ max length depends on budget]
- Brief description of company background [max 200 words]
- Management
- List of deliverables
- Timeline [GANTT chart] (discussed during online meeting)
- Financial Part (discussed during online meeting)
The document shall be sent via email to request@ingeniars.com with gianluca.giuffrida@ingeniars.com in CC.
SUB-ACTIVITY LIST
| Sub-Activity name | Link: | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor selection and integration | https://www.ingeniars.com/in_project/call-2-sensor-selection-and-integration/ | Open |
| On-board data compression | https://www.ingeniars.com/in_project/call-3-on-board-data-compression/ | Open |
| Smart sensor management | https://www.ingeniars.com/in_project/call-4-smart-sensor-management/ | Open |
| Attitude control using payload instruments | https://www.ingeniars.com/in_project/call-5-autonomous-navigation/ | Open |
PROPOSE YOUR IDEA
EO-MAKERSPACE is open for implementation to a reduced set of distruptive ideas that are not listed in the call.
In case you have a novel, original, and potentially distruptive idea, please, send a short email describing the idea and how you would integrate it on the GPU@SAT by email to request@ingeniars.com with gianluca.giuffrida@ingeniars.com in CC.
The best ideas will have a chance to formulate their proposal and be funded.