20-April-2024-Editorial

TIANTONG PROJECT

The Tiantong Project signifies China’s strategic response to the evolving landscape of telecommunications, especially in remote and disaster-prone regions.

It aims to enhance communication resilience, particularly in emergencies where traditional mobile connectivity may be disrupted.

About the Tiantong Project:

• Initiative: A satellite communication system initiated by the Chinese government post the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, symbolizing a commitment to improving communication resilience.
• Satellite Design: Tiantong satellites have a 12-year lifespan, operating in a geosynchronous orbit covering the Asia-Pacific region.
• Launches: Tiantong-1, Tiantong-2, and Tiantong-3 satellites were launched in 2016, 2020, and 2021, respectively.
• Objective: To provide reliable communication services, especially in remote and disaster-prone areas, by enabling smartphones to make calls directly through satellite connections.

Recent Developments:

• Huawei’s Smartphone: In September 2023, Huawei launched the world’s first smartphone supporting satellite calls, directly connecting to Tiantong satellites.
• Market Response: Chinese consumers have embraced satellite-enabled smartphones, with Huawei alone selling tens of millions of units, surpassing competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink.

Need and Issues:

• Origin: The Tiantong Project emerged following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, where communication breakdowns hampered rescue efforts.
• Challenges: Satellite communication with mobile phones faces hurdles such as passive intermodulation (PIM), leading to signal interference and potential system failures.
• Disruptions: Existing commercial communication satellite networks have faced disruptions due to signal overlaps and interference, posing a challenge for the Tiantong Project’s implementation.

Solutions Implemented:

• Research Efforts: Tiantong Project has gathered communication technology elites to address the issue of passive intermodulation (PIM).
• Scientific Discoveries: Physicists explored microscopic mechanisms like quantum tunnelling and thermal emission, unveiling new physical laws for microwave components.
• Technological Innovations: Engineers developed universal PIM simulation software for accurate analysis and evaluation of PIM generation, enabling effective suppression techniques.
• Effective Solutions: Dielectric isolation capacitors and optimized mesh antenna wire preparation methods were developed to suppress PIM, enhancing satellite communication quality.

Impact and Future Prospects:

• Enhanced Communication: Advanced PIM suppression techniques have improved satellite communication reliability, enabling smartphones to receive signals from thousands of kilometers away.
• Future Development: Continuous research and development efforts are underway to further enhance satellite communication technology, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity in all circumstances.
• Global Significance: The Tiantong Project sets a precedent for global satellite communication advancements, contributing to the resilience of communication infrastructure worldwide.