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Objectives
CWTWIN defines and implements a modular software digital twin for optical satellite communications, building on Integrasys heritage in satellite communication simulation and monitoring tools and extending it towards free space optical communication scenarios. The project establishes the system architecture, functional and technical requirements, software modules, interfaces, data models and validation approach required to support a Product Phase development.
The activity develops the core modelling and simulation engine, including optical link budget, orbital dynamics, atmospheric effects, propagation, waveform-related parameters and pointing, acquisition and tracking considerations. It also develops the AI Engine for adaptive link optimisation and decision support, the data management layer, the interoperability interfaces and the graphical user interface for scenario configuration and results visualisation. The integrated system is validated in a non-operational but representative environment using synthetic and emulated data, with the objective of demonstrating the main functional and non-functional capabilities of the CWTWIN product and preparing it for subsequent commercial exploitation.
Benefits
CWTWIN provides a specialised digital twin environment for optical satellite communications, enabling operators, system integrators and mission planners to analyse optical communication scenarios before deployment and to assess the impact of geometry, weather, terminal configuration, propagation effects and resource allocation on link performance. Compared with classical link budget or standalone simulation tools, CWTWIN adds a digital twin-oriented architecture with configurable scenarios, data management, AI-supported optimisation and visual analytics. This supports improved design trade-offs, early identification of performance limitations, repeatable validation workflows and preparation for future integration with operational systems through standardised interfaces. For Integrasys, the project extends the existing satellite communication digital twin and BeamBudget product line towards optical communications and strengthens the basis for a scalable software product that can be deployed as a standalone solution or as part of wider service-based environments.
Features
CWTWIN is a software digital twin platform for optical satellite communications. Its main features include configurable optical satellite communication scenario generation, optical ground and space terminal modelling, orbital dynamics and trajectory representation, optical link budget analysis, atmospheric effects and propagation modelling, pointing-acquisition-tracking assessment, waveform and link quality parameters, AI-based link optimisation, data management and traceability, and a web-based user interface with 3D visualisation and analytical dashboards. The platform is prepared to use synthetic and emulated operational data and to expose open software interfaces for future connection with external tools and services. The product also considers relevant interoperability aspects, including TLE inputs and the analysis of CCSDS 502.0-B-3 OEM support where higher orbital accuracy is required, as well as ESTOL-related optical communication parameters within the project scope.
Challenges
Key challenges include adapting existing RF-oriented satellite communication simulation heritage, mainly the BeamBudget family of products, to the optical communication domain; defining reliable models for atmospheric effects, optical propagation and pointing-acquisition-tracking behaviour; balancing model fidelity with near/soft real-time execution constraints; integrating AI-based optimisation while preserving explainability, traceability and fallback behaviour; preparing interoperable interfaces with external M&C tools, weather services, satellite tracking data and complementary simulators; and validating the overall system in the absence of direct operational integration by relying on representative synthetic and emulated scenarios. The project also needs to maintain a modular architecture that supports future integration with operational systems while keeping full external system integration outside the current activity scope.
System Architecture
CWTWIN follows a modular architecture centred on a data bus connecting the main software components. The Input Data Module acquires and manages orbital dynamics, atmospheric parameters, ground and space terminal configurations, propagation models, network geometry, mobility patterns and waveform-related inputs. The Core Simulation Module executes the analytical processes required to simulate the optical link, including link budget, optical beam propagation, atmospheric turbulence, pointing-acquisition-tracking and error correction or signal quality assessment.
The AI Engine interfaces with simulated and emulated operational data to support link optimisation, adaptive configuration and model refinement, using machine learning approaches where they provide value and considering explainability mechanisms for traceability.
The Real Operational Data Integration component provides API-based interfaces and connectors prepared for future interaction with external M&C tools, sensors, weather services and complementary simulators, although full integration with operational systems is outside the present scope.
The Data Management component stores telemetry-like inputs, simulation outputs, logs and event histories.
The Validation Engine supports scenario generation, performance validation and traceable reporting. The Graphical User Interface provides scenario configuration, visualisation, live alerts and analytical reporting through a web-based dashboard.
Plan
The project plan follows a phased development approach organised into four work packages: WP1 Project Management, WP2 Full Design and Validation Plan, WP3 Implementation, and WP4 Integration and Validation.
Milestones are structured as formal review meetings: Kick-off at T0, covering presentation of the project, overall planning and planned deliverables; PDR at T0+4, covering high-level architectural design, scenarios/CONOPS, integration, testing and data management strategies, interface definitions and initial performance assessment; CDR at T0+9, covering design readiness, refined KPIs, risk mitigation plans, implementation baseline and initial testing plans; TRR at T0+13, covering the availability and suitability of test documentation and the first implemented release of CWTWIN; FAT at T0+20, covering review of verification outcomes and execution of a subset of ESA-witnessed verification tests; and the Phase Completion/Final Review at T0+24, covering the summary of development outcomes, conclusions and recommendations, future product development strategies, gathered test or operational data, and confirmation that all outputs, deliverables and work have been completed and delivered to ESA satisfaction.
Current Status
The project has started and the Kick-off Meeting has already been held. Current activities are focused on consolidating the modular high-level architecture, defining clear interfaces and data flows between modules, researching optical link budget methodology, transmitter and receiver hardware parameters, channel parametrisation and AI Engine optimisation parameters, and refining the preliminary product tree and technical requirements.
Project management, quality and risk monitoring activities are ongoing, with no major problem areas reported at this stage. The work is progressing towards the Preliminary Design Review, with WP2.1 active and the implementation and validation work packages planned for subsequent phases according to the approved project schedule.
