---
title: "GB-Newcastle Upon Tyne: T21/0010 Onboard Data Buffer and Processor"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY"
published: "2021-10-04"
---

# GB-Newcastle Upon Tyne: T21/0010 Onboard Data Buffer and Processor

Buyer: NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-16d679e3-9063-4499-b67a-da06cefd4ae9.json)

## Summary

The tender titled "GB-Newcastle Upon Tyne: T21/0010 Onboard Data Buffer and Processor" is initiated by Northumbria University, located in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. This procurement falls under the Satellite communications equipment industry category, utilising an open procurement method. The tender period is set to end on 22nd October 2021, with a contract period commencing from 1st November 2021 and concluding on 16th March 2022. The total contract value is £500,000, and the minimum value is £100,000, addressing the procurement of goods primarily related to high-speed data transmission technologies.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in electronics design and development, particularly for those experienced in working with high-speed data transmission systems and radiation-hardened components. Companies that manufacture populated printed circuit boards or communication satellite technologies would find themselves well-suited to compete for this contract. Engaging in this procurement process could foster partnerships within the academic and research sectors, driving innovation in advanced optical communication technologies.

## Notice

Currently, the highest heritage ka-band radio frequency (RF) technology in small sats (herein we refer to them as CubeSats) can achieve 10-100 kbps with an onboard data storage capacity of ~8 GBytes (similar to SD cards in mobile phones). The aim of this experimental research project is to replace the existing low-speed RF and high-power transceiver in CubeSats with the high-speed, light weight and lower power free-space optical (FSO) wireless technology. The proposed intensity-modulation/direct-detection (IM/DD) FSO system will use an infrared laser source prototyped by Durham and Northumbria Universities in collaboration with UK-based industry partner SMS Electronics Limited. The high-speed electronics (encoding, modulation, etc.), the drive circuit and the optical head as well as the optical receiver together with all the supporting data, control, and optics modules will now be optimized and fabricated, increasing to TRL-7. We are seeking a sub-contractor who will help us to design and develop (to PCB layout and bring-up testing) a full working prototype of the electronics boards for handling high speed (1 Gbps) data transmission using our FSO system design, incorporating radiation hardened components, flight-ready controller, and buffering to interface with the satellite bus.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c1edcad2-974c-4199-9c6c-a8672cb48a83 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 4 Oct 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 22 Oct 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Nov 2021 - 16 Mar 2022 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 8ST |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

### Codes

- 31712310 - Populated printed circuit boards
- 32531000 - Satellite communications equipment
- 35631100 - Communication satellites

## Release History

- 4 Oct 2021 at 16:00 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c1edcad2-974c-4199-9c6c-a8672cb48a83

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c1edcad2-974c-4199-9c6c-a8672cb48a83
  4th October 2021 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-GB-Newcastle-Upon-Tyne:-T21/0010-Onboard-Data-Buffer-and-Processor/F2W3W52P5D
  Please follow this link to view the notice.

## Provenance

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